With GENEX, a new generation of robotic systems is transforming pharmaceutical production. The implementation of fully automated processes is setting new benchmarks for product and operator safety, operational flexibility, and cost efficiency. In this interview, Marcel Weizel, an industry expert, explains how these innovations are reshaping cleanroom manufacturing and why Annex 1 plays a decisive role.

Robot-assisted cleanroom production has been central to pharmaceutical manufacturing for some time. How does the new GENEX system go beyond traditional automation?

Marcel Weizel: GENEX represents a fundamental shift. While robots have long been used for handling packaging materials, GENEX extends their role to critical tasks such as automated product path installation, bio- and surface-monitoring, and even troubleshooting. These functions, which previously required manual glove interventions, are now performed fully automatically. This not only increases safety and quality but also reduces cost per unit, making advanced therapies more accessible to patients.

Why is this development so important for today’s pharmaceutical industry?

Marcel Weizel: The industry is moving toward smaller and more flexible batch sizes. Large-scale systems have historically facilitated widespread availability of drugs such as insulin. Today’s challenge lies in the ongoing development of specialised therapies, including orphan drugs and cell and gene therapies, which are manufactured in smaller quantities. GENEX is designed specifically for this environment. Its modular design allows manufacturers to adapt process chains to individual requirements while ensuring rapid and compliant setup changes.