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Conversation
Highlights
Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech’s most innovative B2B founders. In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Dimitrios Skaltsas, CEO & Co-Founder of Intelligencia AI, an AI drug development platform that’s raised $15.5 Million in funding.
Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:
- Early Challenges and Inspiration: Dimitrios shared how he transitioned from McKinsey to co-founding Intelligencia AI, inspired by his work on big data and AI in pharmaceutical R&D.
- First Customer Success: Landing their first major pharmaceutical client was a pivotal moment, achieved through relentless networking and demonstrating their AI’s potential to transform drug development.
- Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic accelerated the pharmaceutical industry’s adoption of AI, highlighting the need for faster and more efficient drug development processes.
- Explaining AI in Pharma: Intelligencia AI stands out by focusing on explainability, providing users with transparent, data-driven insights that enhance decision-making rather than relying on opaque black-box models.
- Navigating the AI Hype: Dimitrios discussed how the rise of AI has brought both opportunity and noise, emphasizing the importance of high-quality data and a clear understanding of AI’s practical applications in pharma.
- Future Vision: Intelligencia AI aims to become the gold standard in drug development risk assessment, expanding its therapeutic coverage and geographic reach, particularly into Asia.
Actionable
Takeaways
Listen to Your Customers:
Continuous feedback from users is crucial. Adapt your product to fit seamlessly into their workflows and address their specific needs.
Focus on High-Quality Data:
In AI, the quality of your data is paramount. Invest in robust data acquisition and processing to ensure reliable and actionable insights.
Prioritize Explainability:
Especially in complex fields like pharma, ensure your AI models provide clear, understandable insights that users can trust and act upon.
Be Selective with Investors:
Choose investors who align with your values and vision. They should offer more than just capital, bringing valuable expertise and support.
Plan for Long-Term Impact:
Beyond immediate growth, aim to create lasting value in your industry. Strive for broad recognition and tangible improvements in your field.
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