When it comes to the production of drugs, the industry is on the verge of a turning point. Unprecedented pressure is being placed on the industry by factors such as rising cost pressures, shifts in market paradigm toward outcome-based medicine, severe competition, and an ever-increasing demand brought on by an aging and growing population. The pharmaceutical industry is striving to keep up with the need for more sophisticated treatments to be produced in bigger quantities and more quickly and efficiently than ever before.
One of the primary causes of this growing strain is that, despite annual investments of billions of dollars, the processes used to manufacture drugs haven't changed significantly in decades. As a result, the return on investment for R&D activities within the pharmaceutical industry has been steadily declining.
However, times are changing.
The question is how much potential does continuous bioprocessing actually offer the biopharmaceutical industry, and will manufacturers be able to overcome the ostensible roadblocks and successfully transition from batch processing to a continuous future?
Financial advisors have reported that the early adopters of continuous bioprocessing in the biopharmaceutical industry are starting to enjoy its financial benefits, proving that continuous bioprocessing presents the single greatest opportunity for significant cost reductions in biomanufacturing on a variety of levels.
From a technological standpoint, it is essential that tools and analytics work together to support real-time decision making and keep boosting confidence in continuous manufacturing.
Putting aside the financial and business benefits that continuous bioprocessing can offer biopharma companies, it's important to keep in mind who will ultimately profit from this change in the status quo of manufacturing: the patient.
When compared to traditional batch processing, continuous bioprocessing can significantly shorten the time it takes to produce a product. By enhancing the speed at which biopharmaceutical companies can assess the viability of a new product, produce clinical trial materials, and identify potential failure points, this will help address some of the most pressing medication shortages in the world.
The industry is growing. Compared to where things were just five years ago, enormous strides have been made, but it will take time for manufacturers, regulators, and the supply chain to completely commit to a continuous future. But the tide has clearly changed, and in the years to come, things will only continue to move forward — since the advantages for the industry and for patients are simply too significant to be ignored.
Join us on 28th - 29th March, 2023 for the International Bioprocessing and Biologics Forum, in Berlin, Germany so you don't feel left out in the industry!
To register or learn more about the Forum please check here: https://bit.ly/3zxguXW
For more information and group participation, contact us: [email protected]
