Re-imagining the Labs
Developing a strategic approach for labs that can identify and tackle global health challenges.
Pharmaceutical companies face numerous drug development challenges today, including low drug approval rates, rising drug discovery costs, pressure to accelerate timelines, and ever-evolving regulatory requirements. Labs encompassing R&D, quality, and process development labs are crucial to the "molecule-to-medicine" value chain.
Over the past decade, the "lab of the future" concept has become a trending topic, with a wealth of publications exploring how digital tools and emerging technologies can drive productivity. Digitalization, automation, robotics, and next-generation analytics are undeniably at the heart of this transformation. However, they represent only one part of a multidimensional picture of a future-ready lab.
By harnessing advanced technologies with the right strategies for processes, people, culture, and partnerships, pharmaceutical labs can tackle global health challenges with unprecedented speed, accuracy, and impact. Combined, these elements will shape the future of pharmaceutical R&D and drive enhanced productivity and innovation. These key elements can be divided into two categories:
- The foundations comprise the ‘what’ of transformation; the tools, technologies, data, architecture, and connectivity required to create the next gen labs.
- The enablers cover the ‘how’ of transformation; the vision, strategy, people, processes, culture, and skills required for future-ready labs.
Source: ZS
This article explores the multifaceted considerations involved in setting up a ‘lab of the future,’ examining the dimensions of each critical pillar—lab instruments, technology, workflow, data, analytics, and user experience. The detailed use cases aim to provide a clear vision of what advanced labs may look like, emphasizing the significance of each fundamental pillar and key considerations one must bear in mind.
The key to unlocking laboratories' full potential lies not just in technology but in developing a comprehensive strategy and roadmap that enables us to identify and implement necessary technologies, processes, and practices. This strategic approach would not only enhance collaboration and innovation, but also ensure that labs are equipped to effectively meet the ever-evolving research challenges.
Sowmyanarayan Srinivasan, principal, ZS; Priyanshi Gautam, knowledge management associate, ZS; and Garima Prashad, manager, ZS
