Why Digitalisation Is Long Overdue For The Life Sciences Industry?

During the early stages of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, there was a lot of anticipation over the “return to normal” once a vaccine had been discovered. Analysts had predicted a “V-shaped” economic bounce-back from as early as fall 2019. But the reality has been far more sobering; government scientists and medical experts now express “cautious optimism” that a reliable candidate might only be available to the public in early 2021, with a stronger likelihood of its launch in the later part of the year.

Pierre Kardasz, Asia Pacific Regional Industry Manager, Consumer Packaged Goods and Life Sciences, Rockwell Automation Inc., Singapore

Once a rare occurrence, epidemics are set to become a regular part of this century due to prevalent urbanisation, globalisation, and factory farms. Taking lab testing, human trials, and various rounds of scientific, commercial, and regulatory approvals into account, experimental drugs average a span of 12 years to hit the market. Hence, speed and efficiency are of the essence to sustain a rapidly interconnected population and yet there must be no compromises to safety and quality.

The long-term solution to this quandary is no different from that of all modern enterprises – organisations that have embraced digital transformation are better positioned to adapt to immediate demands while maintaining production of other critical items.

Competitive market demands require higher yields, superior quality, and greater throughput. This can lead to increasingly complicated assembly systems, higher compliance costs, and strain on overloaded systems. Smart workflow automation comprised of intuitive, intelligent and integrative solutions. Medical device manufacturing companies are driven by immense pressures to help ensure safety, accuracy, and regulatory compliance throughout the production process. Similarly, intense competition, higher production requirements, and a strict regulatory environment place pressure on pharma manufacturers to optimize production. Hence, real-time access and extended enterprise visibility to vital manufacturing data is essential. A smart, connected plant that is built on an integrated, flexible, automation system can deliver high business values by accelerating production scale.