Global Scans · Pharmaceuticals · Weekly Summary

• [New] The fund, Sovereign AI, will invest roughly $675 million in homegrown startups in fields ranging from model development to agentic AI to drug discovery. Wired
• [New] The global pharmaceutical industry is expected to grow steadily, driven by biologics innovation, AI-driven platforms, supply chain resilience, and increasing demand for personalized medicine. GlobeNewswire
• [New] The global pharmaceutical industry is projected to reach approximately USD 1.72 trillion in 2026, reflecting steady growth driven by biologics and advanced therapies. GlobeNewswire
• [New] Opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry include innovation in biologics, growth in GLP-1 therapies and precision oncology, rising demand for advanced treatments, and expanding manufacturing in Asia-Pacific. GlobeNewswire
• [New] Asia Pacific is growing at a compounding annual growth rate of 5.84% during the predicted timeframe, owing to increasing urbanization, a strong pharmaceutical base, rising disposable incomes, and a growing geriatric population, which contributes to a surge in demand for muscle relaxants. Precedence Research
• [New] By drug type, the neuromuscular blocking agents segment is growing at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2026 to 2035. Precedence Research
• [New] AI-driven drug discovery platforms like Exscientia are expected to reduce drug development timelines by up to 40% by 2028. Innovation Hub Live
• [New] The forthcoming FDA guidances on AI and digital health are expected to significantly influence how drug companies operate. IntuitionLabs
• [New] Internationally, harmonization efforts like ICH's work on AI (proposed ICH guidance on AI/ML in drug development is rumored for ICH meetings) will shape FDA's approach. IntuitionLabs
• McKinsey estimates potential value creation of $200 billion to $500 billion by 2035 specifically from quantum computing applications in life sciences and drug discovery, driven by quantum's exceptional ability to perform first-principles calculations of molecular interactions. Persistence Market Research
• The global pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, already valued in the hundreds of billions of dollars, is expected to reach $1 trillion in the coming years. GlobeNewswire
• By 2026, we anticipate seeing generative AI used in drug discovery, materials science, and product design. DeepUseCase
• In the coming years generative AI will become deeply integrated in product design, drug discovery, and even scientific research. DeepUseCase
• Pharmaceutical leaders like Eli Lilly and Regeneron are seeing positive momentum, with Eli Lilly recently gaining FDA approval for its new weight-loss treatment, Foundayo, which is expected to drive further operational expansion. FinancialContent
• Lessons learned from recent global disruptions continue to underscore the critical importance of a resilient pharmaceutical supply chain. Pharma Guidelines
• New measures to help phase out animal testing in drug development will be supported by the [UK's] Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Rise for Animals
• India Pharma 2026 aims to accelerate India's progress in the global pharmaceutical ecosystem by promoting innovation, collaboration, and future growth opportunities among policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders. Guidely
• A landmark Lancet study forecasts 39.1 million deaths directly caused by drug-resistant infections between 2025 and 2050, rounding to three infections every minute. The Hawk News
• In the Americas, U.S. output rose 5.2% in 2025 but is now projected at just 0.9% for 2026 and is being influenced by fading tariff effects and growing generic and biosimilar competition. pharmexec
• By 2026, we expect to see AI-powered platforms like Exscientia playing a crucial role in drug discovery. Innovation Hub Live
• Personalized medicine is projected to account for over 40% of all new drug approvals by 2028. Innovation Hub Live

Last updated: 21 April 2026