Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries globally, but the biological sector is set to benefit the most, according to Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech. Speaking at the Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association (HYSEA) annual conference, he described biology as the arena where AI will drive the greatest scientific revolution of the next 25 years.
The Scale of the Biological Revolution
Ella illustrated the potential of AI in biology by highlighting the challenge of structural biology. “There are roughly two billion proteins in existence. Using traditional methods, it would take 2 million scientists between 200 and 300 years to fully characterize their structures. Advanced AI software like AlphaFold 3 and 4 can map all two billion proteins in just a single year,” he said. This example demonstrates how AI accelerates discovery, transforming tasks that were once impossible at scale into achievable scientific milestones.
AI’s Disruptive Impact on the Biological Sector
While public attention often focuses on consumer AI applications, Ella emphasized that biology is the true frontier for AI innovation. The sector is on the cusp of unprecedented disruption, reshaping healthcare, drug development, and biotechnology. He pointed out that AI’s predictive capabilities are already outperforming traditional physical chemistry methods. This is enabling faster and more accurate scientific outcomes.
Biosimilars and Commercial Shifts
Ella also warned that current biosimilars could be rendered obsolete within the next five years due to AI-driven advancements in molecular design. Highlighting global trends, he noted that China licensed $37 billion worth of monoclonal antibodies in a single year, likely leveraging AI to develop new molecules. “Artificial intelligence is already driving massive commercial shifts in biotech and pharmaceuticals,” he added.
A Call to the Software Industry
Ella urged the software sector to pivot toward health, biology, and translational sciences, emphasizing that the next major impact of AI lies in these areas. He argued that companies focusing solely on consumer applications are missing a major opportunity. They could instead help shape the future of medicine, drug discovery, and biotech innovation. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, he said combining AI with biology can enable faster research and improve healthcare outcomes. It can also accelerate the next wave of scientific breakthroughs.
