Connect in Pharma releases report on future trends in pharma production and manufacturing

Through a series of exclusive interviews and a survey of industry insiders, Connect in Pharma names the top pharmaceutical and manufacturing-related trends of 2023.  

London, UK, 23 March 2023 / Sciad Newswire / A new report from Connect in Pharma published today highlights a range of forces shaping the future of the pharmaceutical manufacturing and drug-delivery fields, from machine learning and connected devices to eco-friendly strategies. According to the report, which drew on both exclusive interviews and a survey of industry leaders, manufacturers need to invest in robotics and artificial intelligence, train and hire to ensure workers have the new skills needed and build new partnerships to continue to survive and thrive in the future of pharma production.  

Katherine Dixon, a partner at Bain & Company who specialises in energy transition, was one of eleven specialists interviewed for the report. “Companies in the pharmaceutical sector really need to be thinking about how their market is going to change, because it's going to change radically, whether it's driven by customer behaviour, technology transition or a huge pile of a policy that's coming down the track. The world is moving. Understanding how their business is set up to manage the different future scenarios is going to be critical,” said Dixon. 

The report lists the following trends expected to make the most impact in the coming year:  

1. Manufacturing is still playing digital catchup: Almost three-quarters of respondents indicated that AI and other digital tools are not yet part of their production lines. “In some aspects, pharma is behind other sectors because it sees itself as within the R&D sector, not the manufacturing sector. It’s not behind in the digitisation of R&D, but it is when it comes to manufacturing,” said Henrik Von Scheel, who is widely regarded as the originator of Industry 4.0.  

2. The industry is seeing an explosion of advances within the field of drug-delivery devices: Three areas facing marked innovation and posed for market expansion include the inhalable biologics market, long-acting injectable formulations and connected devices that aim to improve the effectiveness and adherence of medications. Half of the survey respondents confirmed that their company is or will be involved in developing, manufacturing or packaging drugs that are inhaled, with dry powder inhalers and nasal delivery devices revealed as the most popular formulations.  

3. Sustainability: The survey revealed that two-thirds of companies are or will be involved in developing more sustainable practices. Of these, nearly all identified company-led strategy as a key driver. Other factors identified as drivers of change included regulations, individual or departmental initiatives and the potential for long-term cost savings.  

Industry insiders said companies in the sector can remain competitive by forging new partnerships and collaborations, growing their investments in tech-driven innovations and renewing their focus on patients.   

“These trends are addressed in detail in this new report, and they will be further explored in even greater detail at the 2023 Connect in Pharma event,” said Renan Joel, Divisional Managing Director at Easyfairs. “Industry leaders can use this free report to get a sense of how they stack up against others in the industry, and then network and learn from experts by attending the event in Geneva.”  

Methodology 

Respondents to the survey included 56 individuals based in 13 different countries (including Switzerland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Ireland, Romania, the United Kingdom, Brazil and India) representing a range of companies, including AstraZeneca, Catalent Pharma Solutions, Gerresheimer, Kisco Pharma Outsourcing Solutions, Korber Pharma Software, and Unither Pharmaceuticals. Exclusive interviews were conducted in January 2023 with 11 leaders, innovators, strategists and futurists across the pharmaceutical, technological and digital landscape. Their insights were instrumental in giving context to the survey findings. Sciad Communications designed the survey, conducted the interviews and provided the analysis and writing. 

Connect in Pharma provides free access to the full report at www.connectinpharma.com.  

-ENDS- 

To request images, interviews, or for more information, please contact Melissa Kerschen or Dani Edmunds at Sciad Communications on +44 (0)20 3405 7892 or email easyfairs@sciad.com. 

Notes to editors  

About Connect in Pharma  

Connect in Pharma is a fresh and exciting new event for the European pharmaceutical and biotechnology community, taking place in the heart of the market in Geneva.  

The event has been launched in answer to feedback from the community to fill a gap in the market to have an event at the centre of the pharma and biotech world, namely Switzerland. It is designed to address the most critical issues and challenges of the industry in a pivotal time for the packaging market, as well as provide a forum for inspiration, learning, collaboration, networking and sourcing.  

Find out more about Connect in Pharma, the agenda and exhibitors at https://www.connectinpharma.com/

About Easyfairs 

Easyfairs organises and hosts events, bringing communities together to visit the future.  

Easyfairs currently organises 200 face-to-face events in 14 countries (Algeria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) and manages eight event venues in Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden (Antwerp, Ghent, Mechelen, Brussels North, Namur, Gorinchem, Hardenberg, Malmö and Stockholm).  

Easyfairs is passionate about “easifying” the life of customers and increasing the return on investment and return on time for professional communities through their all-in formulas, advanced technology and customer-centric approach. Their digital features and initiatives provide these communities with excellent opportunities to network effectively and do business throughout the year. They listen carefully to create compelling online formats that meet customers constantly evolving needs.  

The Easyfairs Group employs 600 highly committed talents, deploys the best marketing and technology tools, and develops brands with a strong appeal to our stakeholder communities.  

In 2018 Easyfairs was named Belgium’s “Entrepreneur of the Year®” and earned recognition as a Deloitte “Best Managed Company” and a “Great Place to Work”.  For the third year running, Deloitte conferred “Best Managed Company” status on Easyfairs in 2021.  

The company is ranked 17th in the list of the world’s leading exhibition companies. Visit the future with Easyfairs and find out more at www.easyfairs.com.  

For further information, please contact:  

Corporate contact:  

Eleanor Gravette 

Marketing Executive  

T: +44 (0)20 3196 4365  

E: Eleanor.gravette@easyfairs.com  

Media contact:  

Melissa Kerschen / Dani Edmunds   

Sciad Communications Ltd  

T: +44 (0)20 3405 7892  

M: +44 (0)7753660286  

E: easyfairs@sciad.com