As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grip the world in a state of panic and emergency, the contribution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems during this crisis have proven to be invaluable. Globally, from remote diagnosis, to faster testing and data-analytics led decision-making, AI systems have done it all. 

In India, companies who made extensive investment in digital technologies are now playing an active part to bring solutions in times of the COVID-19 pandemic to India. For instance, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT and software services provider, has shortlisted 31 new drug-like molecules which may lead to a potential cure for the pandemic. “We knew that SARS-CoV-2 virus which is responsible for the disease produces a protein that undergoes viral replication,” said Gopalkrishnan Bulusu, principal scientist, TCS Innovation Labs in his interview to LiveMint.

Using an AI module for the design of a novel drug-like molecule, Bulusu’s team targeted this protein. As a result, 31 new drug-like molecules are now being tested. Such results would have normally taken years in the normal course of events! Bulusu hopes that some of these molecules would make it to clinical trials soon. 

COVID-19 is affecting clinical development worldwide, resulting in a decline of new trial participation, said Bill Stith, senior VP and global head of health business, Wipro Ltd to LiveMint. “We, along with our extended innovation ecosystem, are privileged to be well equipped to facilitate virtualization and automation of clinical development and help our healthcare and life sciences clients advance scientific discovery and bring life-saving pharmaceuticals quicker to patients...,” Stith said. 

HCL Technologies has been working on virtual trials, leveraging remote patient-doctor visits, and digital interactions to ensure a scaled and seamless study across the globe. They are also encouraging their healthcare facility customers globally to innovate on their patient-contact processes through digital interventions such as increasing e-enrolment of senior patients, remote approval of drugs by health care professionals, and robust business continuity deployment for critical hospital management applications.