The life science industry is shifting gears, widening the gap in the race for next-generation solutions. This facility-focused report will help you get (and stay) ahead.
DEAR MANUFACTURER,
This report is for you. And for everyone in your position, because I can assure you—you’re not alone.
The life science industry’s historically conservative nature has served everyone well—keeping businesses
stable and patients safe. But in today’s context, repeating what worked yesterday is no longer a winning
strategy. A new paradigm is here, brought on by many converging factors: the pandemic aftermath, new
breakthroughs in scientific and technological capabilities and the emergence of game-changing modalities like
radiopharmaceuticals, glucagon-like peptides (GLP-1s), gene editing therapies and various flavors of
drug conjugates.
So, yes, something has changed, and the stakes are indeed high. You can only tread water for so long. And
while I may not have all the answers that you need, I can offer you this—a look inside the facilities of 500
industry leaders from around the world. These companies represent the full cycle of life science manufacturing,
from startups on the verge of commercialization to manufacturers delivering today’s mega-blockbusters like
GLP-1 analogs.
Their responses to this year’s Horizons: Life Sciences survey help us lift the roof on the modern manufacturing
facility and look inside. This is where all the lofty talk about Pharma 4.0™ and innovation finds an anchor in the
real world, giving you pragmatic insights about what your peers are doing, why they’re doing it, and how to
jumpstart your own modernization journey. Spoiler alert: manufacturers appear even more aggressive in their
pursuit of efficiency through innovation than we expected—so if you’re going to make a move, now might
be the time.
IN THE LAB:
80% of respondents have implemented artificial intelligence, or plan to within the next three years.
IN PRODUCTION:
Three-quarters of respondents are using or plan to use continuous technologies almost exclusively within the next five years.
IN THE DRUG PRODUCT AREA:
91% of respondents see operator-free filling as the future.
IN THE WAREHOUSE:
About a third of respondents are taking advantage of automated storage and retrieval systems and autonomous mobile robots to run a faster, denser operation.
AT THE UTILITIES LEVEL:
Sustainability goals are driving the adoption of new technologies, helping 87% of respondents operate with renewable electricity (or to complete their transition by 2030).
This tour of the modern life science manufacturing facility may inspire you, but inspiration doesn’t count for much until it’s backed by cash. How much cash, exactly? If you find that question hard to answer, you aren’t alone. One in three survey respondents are focused on automation and digitalization improvements as a capital investment priority, yet respondents seem split on how much to allocate and how to divvy up that spending across their facility.
In the lab and the warehouse, high costs are holding them back; in the CGMP space, prioritizing investments in cutting-edge solutions is even more complicated. Most respondents say they’ll need up to five years of data before choosing to adopt a new technology, and that decision is often filtered through a complex network of advisory boards, internal teams and project managers. In short, everyone has the same question, but no one has an easy answer.
I’ll leave you with this parting thought: on their journey toward greater efficiency through innovation and adaptation, life science manufacturers sometimes find themselves backed into the role of tech innovator, testing
and onboarding costly solutions that seem like the best decision at the time. My advice? Resist the urge to chase every shiny new modality or climb aboard the latest business or technology bandwagon. You’ll only find
yourself doing many things with mediocrity. Better to focus on your personal area of expertise and deliver what you promise exceptionally well. Find experts who can help with the rest, whether that means transitioning to automated new technologies or simply maximizing what you’ve already got with a few key optimizations.
You’re right that what worked yesterday may not be enough in tomorrow’s innovation-driven world. But you’re wrong about one thing. You’re not paralyzed—you’re pragmatic. Use this report to put that pragmatism to work, helping you become what you want to be–a beacon to guide your peers into the future of life science manufacturing and a source of hope and resilience for the patients who rely on your products. You’ve already taken your first step.
