Appian and PSI CRO have formed a strategic partnership to use artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to improve clinical trial operations and speed up the drug development process.
The companies have launched their first joint AI-powered solution, which focuses on identifying and selecting suitable clinical trial sites across different therapeutic areas, diseases and geographical regions.
The new solution aims to simplify one of the most time-consuming parts of clinical research. Selecting clinical trial sites involves reviewing large amounts of information, coordinating with multiple teams and managing several activities across different countries. Many of these tasks are still handled manually, which can lead to delays and make the process more difficult to manage.
Through the partnership, Appian and PSI CRO aim to bring these activities into a single digital platform. The system uses AI and process automation to help research teams identify suitable clinical trial locations, manage documents and coordinate work across different teams.
The platform connects people, data, existing systems and AI tools within a single workflow. It can automate information processing, manage document-related tasks and direct activities to the appropriate teams. It also helps identify issues that require attention and provides real-time information about the progress of site selection.
The solution is integrated with PSI’s existing operational systems and data warehouse, along with Appian’s AI and process intelligence capabilities. This allows the companies to combine PSI’s clinical research experience with Appian’s technology for managing complex business processes.
One of the key goals is to reduce the number of clinical trial sites that fail to enrol patients. Non-enrolling sites can increase study costs and delay patient recruitment, which may affect the overall timeline of a clinical trial.
Kirill Soldatov, Head of Process Improvement at PSI, said the new solution represents an important step in connecting the company’s operational processes. He added that combining automation, AI and process management could make clinical trial site selection more accurate, predictable and timely across different regions.
Alexander Motie, Regional Vice President for DACH and Eastern Europe at Appian, said the partnership demonstrates how AI can create value when it becomes part of everyday business processes. He noted that the collaboration aims to establish a long-term foundation for further automation and innovation.
The first solution is already live, and both companies plan to explore additional opportunities to introduce AI-powered automation across the clinical trial lifecycle.
Their broader objective is to improve the efficiency of clinical studies, reduce delays and make drug development more predictable. If successful, these improvements could help pharmaceutical companies bring new medicines to patients faster while managing development costs more effectively.
PSI CRO is a global contract research organisation (CRO) that provides clinical trial services across several therapeutic areas, including oncology, haematology, immunology, neurology and infectious diseases. The company employs more than 3,500 people across 58 countries.
Appian provides AI-powered process automation technology to help organisations manage complex operations and workflows.
The partnership highlights the growing role of AI in clinical research, where pharmaceutical companies and CROs are increasingly exploring digital tools to improve trial planning, patient recruitment and study management. As the collaboration expands, Appian and PSI aim to extend their technology beyond site selection and support more stages of clinical development.