According to the companies, the partnership brings together Icon’s real-world data (RWD) strategy and platform deployment abilities with Saama’s experience in using applications such as natural language processing, machine learning, and advanced data visualization tools.
Under the agreement, Icon is now part of Saama’s recently announced Life Science Ecosystem, which combines Saama’s Life Science Analytics Cloud with clinical or real-world data providers.
Combining Saama’s artificial intelligence-based analytics platform with Icon’s real-world evidence, strategy and analytic (RWESA) services, “will help biopharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostics companies rapidly deploy a RWE-generating platform,” said Murali Krishnam, VP of strategic partnerships and alliances at Saama.
The partnership is open-ended so no end date is anticipated, Krishnam told us.
The conversation was initiated about a year ago following Icon’s acquisition of Mapi: “Going through the process, Icon saw value with what we were doing with Mapi and has embraced and expanded that program,” he explained.