# The Incumbent's Playbook: Why Pharma Is Taking Seats at the AI Table

- slug: the-incumbents-playbook-why-pharma-is-taking-seats-at-the-ai-table
- date: 2026-04-16
- category: Biotech & Life Sciences

When Vas Narasimhan joined Anthropic's board last week, it looked routine. The real story is the pattern behind it: every major pharmaceutical company is choosing to rent a seat at the AI table rather than build its own chair. Narasimhan's appointment is the clearest signal yet.

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