Boehringer Ingelheim launches AI centre for pharma research in London

April 20 (Reuters) - German drugmaker Boehringer Ingelheim ​is launching ⁠a centre for artificial ​intelligence and machine learning in London, it said on Monday, as ​it ‌seeks to expand its AI capabilities in pharmaceutical research and development.

Drugmakers are ⁠increasingly turning to AI to ⁠reduce the most time-consuming aspects ​of drug development, from trial recruitment and site selection to regulatory paperwork, even as industry leaders acknowledge the technology has fallen ​short ‌in discovering major new molecules.

* London to be company's fourth location after Austria, Germany, and U.S. specialized in using advanced computing methods, such as algorithms, data analysis, and ​AI to improve processes and accelerate discovery

* Focus on developing ‌targeted medicines for patients with unmet medical needs

* Boehringer to invest 150 million pounds ($200 million) over ‌10 years

* "The UK has a strong legacy in AI, and the government's continued commitment to advancing data-driven innovation in ​life sciences and healthcare makes it an ideal location," said Paola Casarosa, Global ‌Head, Innovation Unit at Boehringer Ingelheim

* Centre located near King's Cross station in Knowledge Quarter area of London, which ⁠hosts ⁠many AI companies including OpenAI, Google and ‌Meta

* Britain has recently pushed to cast itself as an "AI superpower" and ​a home ​for cutting-edge research

* Swiss drugmaker Roche ‌said has expanded its AI computing capacity with more than 2,100 Nvidia chips ($1 = 0.7407 pounds) (Reporting by Maggie Fick, writing by Linda Pasquini, editing by Madeline Chambers)

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