The pressing need to respond to global health crises and provide timely access to treatments is driving demand for accelerated speed in bringing new medicines, vaccines and diagnostic testing services to market. Yet, the slow adoption of new data management technologies, coupled with the continued use of legacy systems, and unconnected lab systems, risks hindering the production of potentially life-saving medicines. Companies need to carefully orchestrate the acquisition, storage and analysis of their lab data across disparate sources to extract its full value.
Adopting and implementing technological advances is vital to meeting this need, and the life sciences industry is transforming to accommodate these changes. At the heart of this revolution lies the concept of the “digital lab,” a paradigm shift that is poised to reshape how pharmaceutical companies conduct research, development and production. In this article, Henal Shah, Head of Life Sciences Lab Practice GGM & M&A, and John Dunne, Lab Centre of Excellence Consultant at Cognizant Life Sciences Manufacturing, delve into the driving forces propelling the digital lab concept. They examine the potential it holds for the pharmaceutical industry and the strategic considerations involved.
The Need for Lab Transformation
The evolution of laboratories is not a matter of choice but one of necessity. The life sciences industry faces increasing pressures, from the need to discover new therapies for complex diseases, to launching quality products with an accelerated speed and the demand for greater efficiency and cost effectiveness. In this context, the traditional laboratory model can no longer keep pace with the demands of the modern world. Digital labs are a response to these challenges, offering a dynamic, data-driven and collaborative approach that holds the potential to redefine the way science is conducted, enabling faster and more impactful discoveries. Based on key digital transformation concepts defined in Industry 4.0, the digital lab entails the creation of an interconnected lab ecosystem that:
• Harnesses the latest technological advancements
• Integrates sustainability practices
• Adapts to user needs
• Leverages business intelligence for informed decision-making.
These crucial elements form the foundation of a successful digital lab transformation, empowering organisations to innovate, optimise operations and drive scientific advancements. It is also important to recognise that failure to take action now may result in significant costs for companies. Life science firms that lag behind in digital adoption encountered associated expenses that reached an astonishing $650 million in 2018, a stark contrast to the $103 million recorded in 2015.1 Timely and strategic adoption of digital lab innovations is crucial for gaining a competitive edge in the market of the future.
The Digital Lab Defined
In the digital lab, an interconnected, digitised ecosystem is created and integrated with manufacturing shop floor and enterprise systems. This ecosystem harnesses the latest technological advancements, incorporating enhanced sustainability, user adaptability and built-in cyber security.
