DATE/TIME
September 19, 10:00 – 10:30 AM EST
TITLE
Faster, Smarter Drug Development: The Role of AI, ML, and Robotics in Pharma and CDMO Innovation
SPEAKER
Firouz Asgarzadeh, President, OSD Pharmaceutical Solutions LLC
ABSTRACT
Of 10,000 drug candidates, only 250 reach preclinical studies, and just one is ultimately commercialized. On average, it takes 10 to 15 years from initial discovery to bring a drug to market, including discovery, preclinical testing, clinical trials, and regulatory approval. Formulation and process development are essential but often time-intensive, with acquired knowledge at risk over time. AI, machine learning, and robotics are powerful tools to complement traditional approaches at Pharma and CDMOs. This session will explore how these tools can enhance continuity, automate experimentation, and accelerate timelines without compromising quality.
BIO
Firouz Asgarzadeh, Ph.D. is the founder of OSD Pharmaceutical Solutions LLC, a consulting firm specializing in formulation and process development for pharmaceutical companies. He brings over 29 years of global R&D and commercial leadership experience, with expertise in formulation development, modified-release coatings, solubility enhancement (spray drying, melt extrusion), oral/injectable dosage forms, and polymer processing.
Previously, Dr. Asgarzadeh was senior vice president of pharmaceutics at BioDuro, where he led technical strategy and managed formulation, analytical, and process teams. He also served as director of technical services at Evonik for over a decade, establishing contract labs and leading solubility enhancement and modified-release initiatives.
Earlier roles include principal scientist at Merck (Schering-Plough) and senior scientist at Catalent (Cardinal Health), contributing to development of oral and lipid-based products. He has led seminars and webinars for thousands of professionals and collaborated extensively with academia.
Dr. Asgarzadeh has held leadership roles at AAPS, including Chair of the CRO and Excipient Focus Groups and Co-Chair of the QbD Focus Group. He earned his Ph.D. in Polymeric Materials and Composites from Université Claude Bernard (Lyon I), France, and master’s degrees from Université Louis Pasteur (Strasbourg I), France, and Polytechnic University, Tehran, Iran.
