Data and the Power of 1%

Paperwork – does anyone remember that term?

It used to be if you had a lot of work to do – you were “drowning in a sea of paperwork”.

And, it was literally paper – tons of it. Forms, memos, reports, (real) mail – all of it on paper.

And while the electronic age has replaced a lot of paperwork with digital forms of “paper” – paper hasn’t been completely supplanted in many places, which is turning into a huge problem.

Specifically, for the pharmaceutical industry the massive amounts of data being generated has reached a tipping point. At one time, gathering data was thought to be enough. But now with systems and devices poking into all aspects and stages of pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, and collecting data, the days of the actual “paper trail” are over. Pharma companies need to leverage the data and interconnectivity of their devices, people, labs, and equipment to make better decisions and to make better products.

I think the industry is finally entering this paradigm.

The term Pharma 4.0 has been bandied about for some time – and it’s really an off shoot of the Industry 4.0 name which was given to the trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies.

The goal of a Pharma 4.0 facility is continuous self-monitoring. To be able to monitor every aspect of the process – even equipment wear and tear – and predict possible problems – with the goal to reducing downtime and improving efficiency and quality.

Of course, the promise of Pharma 4.0 can be extended to drug discovery eff orts as well. Connected data and analysis systems will help to make the important “go/no go” decision for pharmaceutical development much faster and much earlier in the drug development process – saving time and money.

And speaking of money – just how much can be saved?

I found this, which is referred to as “the power of 1%”.

• If the aviation industry could save 1% of fuel costs per year, it would save $30 billion.
• If a gas-fired power station could save 1% on gas per year, it would save $66 billion.
• If the oil and gas industry could reduce capital spending on equipment by 1% per year, it would save $90 billion.

In 2017 the global pharmaceutical industry spent approximately $165B on R&D. Saving 1% would be – well you can do the math. Extrapolate that

1% to all other pharmaceutical processes and we’re getting into some serious money.

Will the industry embrace Pharma 4.0? I think it will, but in its typically slow and methodical way.

With the industry under constant scrutiny to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and turn out new product at ever faster rates, is there really any question?

Let me know what you think.