Biopharma struggles to keep up with process industry digitalisation

A study commissioned by Siemens surveyed the attitudes of top biopharma firms in the UK also Ireland between 2019 and 2022.

“Translating digitalisation into value for Pharma and Life Sciences manufacturing remains a key focus for many but the challenges of speed and efficiency need to be addressed with urgency,” the report suggested.

Commenting in the report, Siemens’ Head of Pharmaceuticals Andrew Matthews said he had been surprised at how frequently firms in the sector appeared unfamiliar with aspects of digitalisation.

One example was digital twinning, which is widely used in manufacturing and in the oil and gas sector.

Said Matthews: “At a recent event… only about a fifth of the audience had heard of a digital twin, which means many have likely never heard of Industry 4.0 or Pharma 4.0.”

Thanks to the additional pressures of the pandemic interest has grown in technologies than can speed up the drug discovery process, such as computational chemistry and data analysis.

Respondents showed keen interest in the potential of data analytics and the development of standardisation, integration and visibility throughout the industry, noted the report. 

UK biopharma is expected to top £12 billion in 2022, at a time when global markets will average 10% growth rates. The combined UK and Irish market remains the top target for inward investment in Europe overall, adds the study.