How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Is Transforming Life Sciences
Written by: Mac Bonafede, PhD, Vice President of RWE, Veradigm
This year’s ISPOR conference in Montréal, Canada focused on the pivotal role of health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) and AI-powered insights in transforming healthcare. We took to the conference floor to present five research posters that examined a variety of topics rooted in real-world evidence (RWE) to advance impact and treatments. We were thrilled to take part in this conference to bring timely data to life science decision-making processes.
We were equally thrilled to see the new methodological developments in our field, get caught up on the latest research, and actually meet people we’d only seen on camera. This dynamic environment affirmed the essential role of rigorous, data-driven research in shaping the future of healthcare.
GLP-1 outcomes and dataset announced during ISPOR 2025
While all of Veradigm’s poster presentations demonstrated the importance of real-world data (RWD) and evidence, we found our GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) research especially timely and insightful, as the global GLP-1 market is estimated to grow from $49.3 billion in 2024 to $157.5 billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 11.1%. Even more, some analysts are predicting a doubling of the market by the end of the decade. 
While GLP-1 therapies are transforming the management of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and more, we saw the gaps in understanding real-world usage, especially in identifying reasons for discontinuation or capturing side effects hidden in physician notes. As part of our poster presentation on this subject, we further amplified this work by announcing a new AI-powered GLP-1-focused dataset derived from clinical details found in the Veradigm Network EHR dataset. By pairing AI with clinical validation, we can ensure a high level of data accuracy and applicability for life science research, regulatory engagement, and value-based decision-making.
Highlighting the Veradigm Network with our Research
Our five poster presentations spanned specific therapeutic areas and diseases, but all used Veradigm Network EHR data to extract RWE and RWD from over 152M+ patient records sourced from comprehensive EHR systems.
Poster 1: Real-world Impact of Semaglutide, Liraglutide, and Tirzepatide on Weight Loss and Cardiometabolic Lab Measures: A Look into Drug Persistence and Reasons for Discontinuation (r/dc)
We identified adults newly initiating semaglutide, liraglutide, or tirzepatide using the Veradigm Network EHR data linked to MarketScan claims data. Our objective was to assess the impact of these three GLP-1 RAs on changes in weight (including BMI) and cardiometabolic measures using Veradigm’s proprietary large language model (LLM) to extract relevant unstructured clinical notes. We found that patients persistent in using GLP-1 RAs showed sustained improvements in weight loss and cardiometabolic lab levels.
Unknown reasons and side effects were the most common reasons for discontinuation overall and among semaglutide or liraglutide, and similarly, drug availability and financial issues were prevalent in tirzepatide users. Thanks to Veradigm’s proprietary LLM, what would have been a labor-intensive, manual process to mine unstructured clinical notes, instead was transformed into an efficient, streamlined activity that delivers AI-powered insights. Unstructured clinical details are especially critical for evaluating GLP-1 therapies, where understanding reasons for discontinuation and side effects can significantly improve patient outcomes and inform therapeutic strategies.
Poster 2: Acute Myocardial Infarction and Associated Healthcare Resource Utilization and Costs Among U.S. Patients With Extreme High Versus Low Lipoprotein (a)
Elevated lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. This research poster aimed to examine the risk’s burden by comparing all-cause and acute myocardial infarction (AMI)-related healthcare resource utilization and costs among patients with extremely high vs. low Lp(a) levels. Using NLP-enhanced EHR data from the Veradigm Network, linked to Komodo Health claims data, we found that patients with extremely high Lp(a) levels did not have a greater risk of AMI.
The similarity in all-cause and AMI-related healthcare resource utilization and costs suggests acute events may not have sustained the burden of chronic conditions. Globally, cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders are the number one leading cause of death, making the risk insights from this research and our other work in this area critical for life science researchers, public health, and government regulators.
Poster 3: Early Patient-Reported Satisfaction in Patients Initiated on Perfluorohexyloctane for Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic, multifactorial disease of the ocular surface, with patients often experiencing visual discomfort, disturbance, and tear film instability. DED may interfere with activities of everyday living, impacting the quality of life and well-being of the individual. Introduced in 2023, perfluorohexyloctane (PFHO) is an ophthalmic solution prescription eye drop for DED patients that targets tear evaporation. We sought to characterize patient-reported satisfaction with PFHO, willingness to refill, history of over-the-counter (OTC) treatment, and concurrent assessment of refill rate.
Our findings revealed that PFHO patients reported high satisfaction with their medication, with a majority refilling their prescription. Notably, nearly all PFHO patients had prior OTC eye drop usage for over 12 months, which potentially identifies a subset of the patient population likely to benefit from the novel treatment. As important as the research findings are the seamless and scalable nature in which the study combined primary data collection from patients with existing retrospective data elements. By leveraging Veradigm’s patient engagement platform, FollowMyHealth, the team could interact with patients using a safe, efficient, familiar platform.
Poster 4: Discordance Between Apolipoprotein B (apoB) and LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C) and Incident Hypertension Risk among Patients with and without Type 2 Diabetes (T2D): An Analysis of US Real-World Data (RWD)
Discordance between apolipoprotein B (apoB) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) values has been reported in ~20% of U.S adults. Recommended in the National Lipid Association guidelines for routine lipid screening inclusion, apoB may be superior to LDL-C in risk assessment, but levels of lipid discordance and subsequent cardiovascular-related risk among Type 2 Diabetes patients are unknown.
Using Veradigm Network EHR Data, we identified links to claims with an apoB and LDL-C lab result within six months of each other between 2013-2023, and found that for patients without Type 2 Diabetes, apoB can serve as an important metric in predicting hypertension development when LDL-C values are within normal range. Since Type 2 Diabetes serves as an independent risk factor for hypertension, substantial levels of discordance in these populations indicate a need for improved rates of apoB testing in lipid management. This study illustrates Veradigm’s trend in targeting both breadth and depth of data for impactful analysis.
Poster 5: Assessing the Comorbidity Burden of Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS): An Analysis Using US Real-World Data
Patients with EDS experience a high comorbidity burden across multiple organ systems. RWD quantifying the disease burden among EDS patients compared to the general population are lacking. Our study characterizes the EDS population by comparing the comorbidity burden against a non-EDS control cohort using real-world data and found that there is an increased comorbidity burden in EDS patients. With no disease-specific treatment options, this puts into perspective the continued need for personalized management of patient conditions and symptoms.
This study was part of an internal initiative at Veradigm to conduct unsponsored projects that answer research questions that matter. It was a true collaboration, conducted for the purpose of helping address an important knowledge gap with passionate researchers and patient advocates while still meeting the scientific and procedural rigor of an externally-funded study.
Impactful research paves a path for the future
This year’s conference highlighted efforts and research from companies leading the way in the future of healthcare decision making, and Veradigm was proud to take part in it again this year. ISPOR is a time to re-connect with old friends and colleagues, engage with business partners, and spark new conversations that could lead to our next great collaboration that helps answer an important research question. It’s also an opportunity to see the latest methods and approaches in action—and to get excited about what’s ahead.
ISPOR is equal parts reflection on how far we’ve come and inspiration for what’s next. One thing remains certain—there will always be a need for rigorous, data-driven research—and ISPOR will always be a place to showcase it.
Contact us today to learn more about Veradigm Network EHR Data and how AI-powered insights are being applied to uncover real-world data and evidence to advance life science organizations.