Amgen and Amazon Collaborate to Transform Drug Manufacturing with Power of AI

Amgen and Amazon Web Services are expanding their decade-long collaboration to incorporate generative AI and machine learning in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Their joint efforts will focus on enhancing medicine production efficiency and sustainability, highlighted by the upcoming state-of-the-art facility in Columbus, Ohio.

In a landmark development for the pharmaceutical industry, Amgen, has taken a significant step forward by expanding its collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS). This partnership is set to usher in a new era in drug manufacturing, leveraging the potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

This move signifies not only a technological leap but also underscores a strategic approach to enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of medicine production. Additionally, the partnership promises to accelerate the delivery of vital medicines.

The core of this initiative is the establishment of Amgen's new state-of-the-art facility in Columbus, Ohio, poised to begin operations next year. This facility is not just a manufacturing unit but a beacon of modern technology, equipped with the latest in digital and robotic advancements. Integral to its operation is a connected platform on AWS utilizing Amazon SageMaker, which is instrumental in building, training, and deploying ML models. The platform's design aims to minimize human intervention in the manufacturing process, thereby streamlining operations and bolstering productivity.

“Based on our longstanding AI work, generative AI is helping us improve clinical trial planning, execution, and documentation. Beyond optimizing clinical trials and regulatory filings, we’re excited about making generative AI assistance available to our scientists, researchers, engineers, and others among our workforce,” said Mike Zahigian, senior vice president and chief information officer at Amgen. “Our work with AWS over the last 10 years has helped us reinforce our data-driven approach, and working closely with AWS experts in machine learning and analytics allows us to move forward at an accelerated pace.”

However, the application of AI and ML in this collaboration goes beyond manufacturing. Over the past decade, Amgen and AWS have been integrating these technologies across various R&D functions at Amgen. The partnership also ventures into exploring AI applications in other operational areas using innovative Amazon platforms like Amazon Bedrock and SageMaker JumpStart.

AWS's role in this collaboration is pivotal, bringing its global infrastructure and profound machine learning and analytics expertise to the table. Dr. Matt Wood, Vice President of Technology at AWS, emphasizes the transformative potential of combining AWS's machine learning capabilities with Amgen's leadership in life sciences. This synergy is expected to convert innovative ideas into effective treatments for serious illnesses.

This groundbreaking partnership between Amgen and AWS represents more than a technological alliance; it's a vision of the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing. By harnessing advanced AI and ML technologies, the collaboration is not just poised to enhance operational efficiency but also to accelerate the delivery of critical medicines, potentially transforming patient care on a global scale.