206 - Will AI Decide Your Next Drug/Device Approval?

Artificial Intelligence is moving fast but how do you regulate it in industries where precision and risk management are everything?

In this episode of Let’s Combinate, Subhi Saadeh sits down with Dominick Romano, founder of Drainpipe.io, to unpack the future of AI in pharma, medtech, and drug/device regulation. The conversation goes deep into how AI could reshape dossier preparation, regulatory submissions, and quality oversight — and what strategies regulators and companies need to make sure speed doesn’t come at the cost of trust.

We explore:

- Why pharma’s unique risk profile makes AI regulation different from other industries

-How ICH guidelines and process validation can be applied to AI systems

-What “combinatorial problem sets” mean for pharma and AI models

-The role of AI in regulatory affairs and dossier preparation

-How regulators may use AI to accelerate reviews and approvals

-The balance between speed, accuracy, and zero hallucinations in regulatory contexts

-The future of AI in quality control, biologics, and beyond

If you work in pharma, medtech, or drug/device combination products, this episode will give you a clear look at how AI could change your world and what needs to happen before it earns the regulator’s trust.

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Regulating AI in Pharma/MedTech

01:01 Pharma’s Unique Risk Profile

02:14 AI in Regulatory Affairs

03:44 Combinatorial Problem Sets in Pharma

04:24 ICH Guidelines and AI Regulation

08:22 Process Validation in AI

10:20 AI in Regulatory Submissions

15:54 Ensuring Accuracy and Consistency

17:02 Regulatory Agencies and AI

18:28 Accelerating Drug Approval with AI

21:36 Time Savings in Dossier Formation

25:44 AI in Quality Control for Biologics

27:42 Challenges in AI Integration

29:25 The Future of Pharma & MedTech with AI

30:40 Where to Find Dominick Romano

Dominick Romano is the founder and CEO of Drainpipe.io, focused on building trustworthy AI systems for regulated industries like pharma and medtech. A graduate of Full Sail University in video game development, his career spans game design, programmatic advertising, and voice applications before moving into AI. He was named one of Technology Innovators’ Top 50 AI CEOs and has contributed to global initiatives such as the WHO/ITU AI for Health program. Today, he helps organizations explore how AI can be validated and integrated without compromising compliance or trust.

Subhi Saadeh is a Quality Professional and host of Let's Combinate. With a background in Quality, Manufacturing Operations and R&D he's worked in Large Medical Device/Pharma organizations to support the development and launch of Hardware Devices, Disposable Devices, and Combination Products for Vaccines, Generics, and Biologics. Subhi serves currently as the International Committee Chair for the Combination Products Coalition(CPC) and as a member of ASTM Committee E55 and also served as a committee member on AAMI's Combination Products Committee.For questions, inquiries or suggestions please reach out at letscombinate.com or on the show's LinkedIn Page.