The Pharma Letter Podcast

The Pharma Letter Podcast provides in-depth discussion and analysis focused on key trends, companies and events in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Our guests come from a broad array of sectors and business functions, from early stage research in biopharmaceuticals, to patient engagement and marketing, supply chain management and life sciences investing. Podcasts are typically 20-30 minutes in length and are released approximately once every two weeks.

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The Pharma Letter Podcast

ICON's AI strategy: faster, smarter trials

May 08, 2025 • With ICON senior VP Tony Clarke • Season 1 • Episode 32

This week on The Pharma Letter Podcast, we are joined by Tony Clarke, senior VP of IT digital operations at ICON (Nasdaq: ICLR).

As a leader in digital transformation within clinical research, Tony has been at the forefront of implementing AI-driven solutions to enhance drug development.

A global contract research organization (CRO), ICON has been tracking industry attitudes toward digital innovation. In 2019, the company conducted a survey to gauge investment trends in new technologies, and now, five years later, a new study reveals how perceptions and adoption have evolved.

While the rise of AI, particularly generative AI, has dominated the debate across industries, we consider how it is truly shaping clinical research, including potential barriers to adoption.

We’ll also talk about how digital tools are driving efficiencies in drug development, and what the future holds for technology in clinical trials.

Partnered content.

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Simon Wentworth

Host