AstraZeneca and Microsoft join forces to promote AI in health

AstraZeneca and Microsoft Spain have signed a strategic alliance aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of the Spanish healthcare system through the joint development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital health and advanced data analytics programs.

As reported, the agreement seeks to promote more personalized, predictive and sustainable care, enhancing the work of health professionals and the quality of life of patients. The collaboration includes the implementation of research and innovation projects applied to real clinical environments, as well as the integration of digital technologies and data science in hospitals and healthcare centers.

Among the notable initiatives are ‘EMR eligible’, developed with Pangaea Data for early identification of patients at risk of diseases such as COPD or chronic kidney disease, and ‘Echo’together with the startup Recog, which automates clinical documentation based on the doctor-patient conversation, reducing writing time by up to 44.7% and improving the accuracy of clinical reports. Both platforms are already in operation and are supported by the Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure, which guarantees security, scalability and interoperability.

The alliance also reinforces the AstraZeneca Innovation Hub in Madrid, uA space that collaborates with 18 startups and that has already contributed to improving the care of thousands of patients in Spain. In addition, the agreement supports public-private collaboration, involving health professionals, institutions and innovative companies, with the aim of developing scalable and sustainable solutions that can be implemented at a national or regional level.

Rick Suárez, president of AstraZeneca Spain, points out that the collaboration with Microsoft represents “a milestone on the path towards the digitalization of the Spanish health system, generating solutions that optimize efficiency, clinical flows and tangibly improve the lives of patients.” For his part, Paco Salcedo, president of Microsoft Spain, highlights that the alliance allows “accelerate digitalization and the responsible use of AI in health, improving system efficiency and patient care.”

Both companies indicated that the agreement reflects its commitment to innovation, research and the responsible application of AIconsolidating, they added, a public-private cooperation model that aims to transform the Spanish health system, reinforcing the interoperability, efficiency and predictive capacity of health services.