IE University and GSK launch Next Frontiers in Health - Biopharma and AI Gateway Specialization to accelerate drug development

IE School of Science & Technology at IE University and the global biopharma company GSK have signed a collaboration agreement to create an academic program in Spain that builds knowledge and capacity within the pharma industry, while developing the scientific and technological capabilities and skills needed to shape the future of drug development. This joint initiative reflects the shared commitment of both organizations to advance innovation in drugs and vaccines by harnessing innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and data analysis.

This is the first industry-focused specialization program in health and technology launched by IE School of Science & Technology in close collaboration with the industry. GSK will co-design and implement this highly specialized training program alongside the School and the IEX Research Xcelerator, a technology centre and global innovation platform designed to accelerate technology research by connecting academic research with technology companies and industry leaders.

"We’re very excited to partner with GSK to pioneer a new model of education—one that brings together academic excellence and industry leadership to offer a unique, hands-on understanding of pharmaceutical and drug development and how this will relate to data science and AI," said Ikhlaq Sidhu, Dean and Professor at IE School of Science & Technology.

Designed as an annual, five-month initiative, the Next Frontiers in Health Biopharma and AI Gateway Specialization is targeted at undergraduate students from IE School of Science & Technology, IE Business School, and IE Law School. Its goal is to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices involved in the development of pharmaceutical products and vaccines, covering every stage from discovery to regulatory approval, commercialization, and post-marketing surveillance. The use of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, digital twins, the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced data analytics, is central to the program, enhancing and accelerating the entire drug development process.

The program combines rigorous academic content with immersive, hands-on experiences. Participants will engage in industry knowledge and technology skills sessions, workshops, and roundtable discussions with leading experts from the pharmaceutical sector. The curriculum also includes experiential learning activities and immersion programs at GSK, as well as a practical team project to be presented at the end of the course.

This new program will be co-led and managed by a dedicated team from both institutions. The overall management will be led by co-chairs David Barros, Head of Global Health Medicines R&D GSK, and Ikhlaq Sidhu, Dean of IE School of Science & Technology. Program design will be led by Jorge Pou, Director of Innovation and Commercial Acceleration at GSK Spain, and an IE faculty member. Both of them will be supported by the IEX and Impact Xcelerator team, who will oversee the program’s development, implementation, and delivery.

According to David Barros, "this collaboration combines GSK's experience in pharmaceutical research, where we are already leveraging new technologies to develop new drugs and vaccines, such as our work to combat tuberculosis and malaria, with the innovative capacity of a pioneering organization such as IE School of Science & Technology. This is a unique opportunity to open up new avenues for the development of innovative, more effective and personalized treatments," he said.

After the signing, Cristina Henríquez de Luna, President of GSK Spain, stated, "thanks to this agreement, we are committing to sharing resources, knowledge, and talent to stay ahead of disease and drive advances that have a positive impact on people's health. This drug development specialization program helps to promote an open and dynamic innovation ecosystem." She also highlighted that the program aims to channel "talent trained in health processes enabled by artificial intelligence," something in which GSK has extensive experience.