AI data emerges as a key hurdle in biopharma partnership deals

As drug discovery becomes more intricate, the data used to train AI models is turning into a valuable asset in biopharma transactions. Companies are now negotiating not just drug candidates but the underlying data that powers AI platforms.

Dealmakers report that questions about who owns the data, where it is generated, and which chemistry labs are used have become central to partnership agreements. "I just turn on my ‘out of office’ when I hear a data deal is coming," joked Chad Diehl of Astellas Pharma during a recent BIO conference panel.

Historically, biotech platforms would hand over most generated data while keeping the partnership programs siloed. Today, large pharma firms are demanding tighter control over data, making these details a decisive factor when signing deals.

The shift signals that future collaborations will need clear data‑ownership frameworks, as the ability to feed data back into AI models becomes a competitive advantage for both parties.