Bridging the gap between research findings and clinical practice with AI

What opportunities does AI offer to improve processes at Pfizer? Pfizer is currently testing an AI platform in a pilot project. For this initiative, Pfizer is partnering with the startup Visual Abstract, which employs AI algorithms to convert published manuscripts and study results into visually appealing and standardized abstracts. The aim is to communicate the key scientific messages of drug studies more quickly, clearly, and engagingly. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are expected to benefit the most from this innovation.

Every day, approximately 6,000 medical articles are published worldwide.* Saribek Karapetyan and Dr. Benito Campos, the founders of Visual Abstract, have made it their mission to transform complex medical research findings into clear, digital-friendly content that is more accessible to healthcare professionals, patients, and the public. To achieve this, the startup has developed an AI-based platform that converts medical data, such as publications and clinical studies, into understandable and interactive communication materials. The result: improved visibility and 2.6 times faster reading with the same retention of content.**

... it's a match!

Campos and Karapetyan presented the platform developed by Visual Abstract for science communication at universities and research institutions at the 5-HT Innovators Club. The 5-HT Innovators Club provides a stage for startups in the Chemistry & Health sector to showcase their solutions to established companies. The Pfizer Healthcare Hub is part of the 5-HT community and uses the platform to scout for relevant solutions within the innovation ecosystem for Pfizer. Peter Neske, Innovation Lead at the Pfizer Healthcare Hub, saw an opportunity in this solution to optimize science communication between the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare professionals (HCPs).

Where does Pfizer use the AI-generated abstracts?

For Pfizer's field representatives, it’s a challenge to communicate the comprehensive study results of new medications to healthcare professionals (HCPs). Doctors and HCPs have limited time and want to quickly grasp the core findings of a study. This is exactly what the AI-generated summaries from Visual Abstract can achieve. Using graphics and illustrations, they condense the information into a fraction of its original length, making it easier to understand and more accessible. Pfizer plans to use these abstracts to support sales efforts and on the Pfizer Pro portal for doctors. Additionally, the platform aims to reduce the effort required for the complex preparation of study data and to make internal processes more efficient.

Collaboration between Pfizer and Visual Abstract

The meeting at the Innovators Club led to a partnership between Visual Abstract and Pfizer. In January 2023, Visual Abstract presented its solution to a Pfizer team in Berlin. Shortly thereafter, an invitation to the Pfizer Healthcare Hub event in Freiburg followed, where the startup presented its platform to an international audience.

"The collaboration with Pfizer was intense and helped us tailor our solution to the specific needs of a global pharmaceutical company," says Saribek Karapetyan.

Current status: Pilot phase

"We now have a pilot project for several studies involving our products," says Thorsten Mintel, Director of Strategic Innovation. "We see great potential in this solution to make scientific communication easier and more effective." After an extensive implementation phase, the project is now in a pilot phase, where the use of AI-generated abstracts is being tested by several Pfizer teams, including those in oncology and rheumatology.

The goal of the pilot phase is to generate key metrics for optimizing scientific communication: to investigate how physicians interact with the abstracts. To this end, criteria for a standardized abstract format were defined in a cross-functional workshop with representatives from marketing, medical, and field service departments. Based on the defined requirements, initial abstracts have already been created, and the results are promising.

... what happens next? 

The next step after completing the pilot phase is to roll out the solution across all therapeutic areas at Pfizer in Germany. "We see great potential in using Visual Abstracts to elevate our omnichannel marketing to a new level and enhance HCP communication with engaging visual representations," says Paulina Achter, Manager of Innovation Engagement.

* https://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/medizinische-publikationen-viel-heisse-luft-2684bf66-7b3d-4e0b-85f2-a78026d85399

** Reimann et al., 2023