AMW Pioneers Use of Artificial Intelligence in Formulation Development
Warngau, February 25, 2025
AMW GmbH, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on biodegradable controlled-release drug delivery systems, today announced the launch of a research and development project to optimize formulation development using artificial intelligence (AI). The working group of Prof. Dr. Olivia Merkel, Chair of Drug Delivery at the Department of Pharmacy at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich acts as scientific advisor for this project. Prof. Merkel is also a member of AMW’s Scientific Advisory Board.
“Artificial intelligence has become a reality and is fundamentally changing the way we take decisions in pharmaceutical research,” explains Dr. Eric Wittchow, Vice President R&D at AMW. “Development of new formulations is traditionally based on data-intensive processes in which complex interactions need to be analyzed and optimized. Particularly for biodegradable, long-acting implants, there is still no comprehensive mechanistic model that fully describes polymer degradation, solubility behavior and diffusion of the active ingredients, most of which are difficult to dissolve. As a result, formulation development is still largely empirical with numerous iteration steps. AI can considerably speed up this process by efficiently analyzing large amounts of data and making predictions. This leads to a shift in the role of researchers: instead of time-consuming pattern recognition, they can focus on evaluating results and making strategic decisions.”
Philipp Karbach, CEO of AMW, adds: “The McKinsey Global Institute estimates the economic value the pharmaceutical industry can generate by using AI in research and early development at 15 to 28 billion US dollars per year. However, in contrast to other research areas, formulation development is still underrepresented. AMW has committed itself to taking on a pioneering role and leveraging the potential in terms of efficiency and quality in formulation development research. We are excited to have top-ranking experts at our side in Professor Merkel’s team and are optimistic to further expand the range of applications for AI in the future.”
AMW brings extensive data from 15 years of formulation research in the field of GnRH agonists. This drug class plays a pivotal role in treating hormone-dependent tumors. With two implants releasing goserelin or leuprorelin, AMW has already successfully launched drugs for the treatment of prostate and breast cancer.
To develop new formulations more efficiently, AMW focuses on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Historical data from formulation development is analyzed using ML algorithms to identify hidden patterns and correlations. This allows targeted optimizations to be made without having to rely exclusively on time-consuming and resource-intensive iteration steps.
Design of Experiments (DoE) is a key component of this strategy, which is supported by specialized software. AMW combines existing data with a “fast prototyping” approach, in which targeted preliminary tests help to close data gaps before the final DoE optimization takes place. This significantly reduces experimental effort and enables faster development of new formulations.
This data-driven approach enables AMW to design its research processes more efficiently and improves success rates in drug development.
About AMW GmbH:
AMW is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on biodegradable implants, providing patients and partners access to value-added medicines for improved adherence and cost-effective therapies. The Company covers the entire value chain, from (co-)development to manufacturing and international commercialization.
AMW has two approved medical products: implants releasing goserelin or leuprorelin respectively, which are distributed worldwide via direct sales and out-licensing. In Germany, leuprorelin is marketed as Leugon® by AMW’s fully owned subsidiary Endomedica GmbH. Based on its unparalleled expertise in formulation development, the Company collaborates with pharma and biotech partners worldwide to develop and manufacture high-quality products and life-cycle solutions.
AMW is based in Warngau near Munich, Germany.
For further information please contact:
AMW GmbH
Eva Hoffmann
Phone: +49 8024 470999-0
E-mail: news@a-m-w.eu