The digital “agent” on the horizon will draw on users’ entire health record, data from wearables and other sources to steer them in making health decisions. In this second part of a two-part series, Andrew Trister, chief scientific officer and chief medical officer at Verily, discusses his vision for the future and current obstacles.

Despite all of the buzz around adoption of digital health tools and whopping VC investments in consumer-facing digital health firms, pharma has yet to articulate a business model for co-development or integration of behavior-modifying digital therapeutics into their portfolios.

Sanofi says the virtual innovation lab it will create with Google will enable precision health care and optimize R&D and commercial operations. Incoming CEO Hudson has been tasked with improving the pharma’s R&D and digital capabilities.

Gilead’s tie-up with Google’s Verily will explore the immunological underpinnings of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and GI disorders. Janssen acquires BeneVir and its oncolytic virus expertise, while United Therapeutics buys out SteadyMed.