Raising Health Mastering Data with Sajith Wickramasekara
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Nov 12, 2024 Sajith Wickramasekara, CEO and co-founder of Benchling, transforms biotech workflows through innovative software solutions. He shares insights on the evolution of biotechnology and the crucial role of AI in drug discovery. Saji reveals how structured data can supercharge scientific research, addressing the challenges in integrating modern technology into pharma. He also discusses navigating competition and the startup journey, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer needs in a rapidly changing landscape.
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Benchling's Origin
- Sajith Wickramasekara, a software engineer, joined a biology lab and was baffled by the outdated tools.
- His frustration led him to co-found Benchling, a software platform now used by over 200,000 scientists.
Pharma's Tech Lag
- Pharma's slow software adoption isn't due to a lack of belief in technology, but rather a shift to biology's complex data needs.
- Large companies initially built their own software, but keeping up with cutting-edge science requires specialized, continuous investment.
AI's Dual Role in Drug Discovery
- AI can improve drug discovery by generating high-quality therapeutic molecule ideas and optimizing the rest of the process.
- AI can reduce toil in tasks beyond molecule discovery, like animal studies and manufacturing scale-up.