The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the biopharmaceutical industry, promising to accelerate drug discovery, enhance clinical trials, and optimize manufacturing. However, the absence of a standardized framework to measure AI governance maturity and link it to tangible business outcomes hinders firms from realizing its full competitive potential. This paper addresses this gap by constructing a comprehensive AI governance maturity index tailored specifically for the biopharma sector. Through a synthesis of regulatory guidance, industry case studies, and academic literature, the proposed index is built upon five foundational pillars: Strategy and Accountability; Risk Management and Compliance; Data Governance; AI Lifecycle and Responsible Principles; and People, Technology, and Culture. Recognizing the sector's heterogeneity, the index is segmented to address the distinct strategic priorities and operational realities of Large Pharmaceutical Corporations, Small-to-Medium-Sized Biotechnology Companies (SMEs), and Contract Research Organizations (CROs). The findings establish that mature AI governance is not merely a compliance function but a strategic capability that directly drives key performance outcomes, including accelerated speed-to-market and enhanced return on investment. This index provides a practical tool for firms to benchmark their capabilities, guide strategic investments, and ultimately leverage AI governance as a durable source of competitive advantage.
S K Nair (Mon,) studied this question.