Research conducted by Zenith Technologies, a provider of manufacturing software systems for the life sciences sector, indicates that there is a growing appetite for Industry 4.0, which focuses on using data and information to change and advance Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

The survey asked business leaders to identify the trends and technologies that may significantly impact the pharmaceutical and wider life science industry in coming years. Overwhelmingly, respondents pointed to the digitalization of manufacturing as a top priority, with nearly 60 percent indicating that Industry 4.0 will drive the most change over the next five years and 75 percent of them planning to invest in staff to take advantage of emerging technologies.

Some 70 percent of respondents said cost and time saving were the main motivators for upcoming technology investment.

Following the survey, Zenith put together a report titled, “Industry 4.0: Revolutionizing life science manufacturing through connected systems and data,” examining technological advances that are driving the next phase of pharmaceutical manufacturing, improving quality and reducing waste. 

The report details: 

• Industry 4.0 and its relevance in life science manufacturing
• A review of the industry’s appetite for change
• Technologies and approaches to facilitate such change
• Gaining best-practice advice on utilizing the data already in hand
• Approaches to create never before seen quality and reliability standards

“The life science industry has used data and information to drive improvements in GMP manufacturing for decades and there is now an opportunity to take it to the next level,” David Staunton, global services director, said. “The foundation of life science GMP manufacturing is to know your process, and industry 4.0 allows us to stay true to who we are, while at the same time revolutionizing GMP manufacturing.”

For the life science industries, Industry 4.0 is a radical change that will not be driven by radical investment, but by “making the most of now,” according to Zenith.

The report was co-authored by Ryan McInerney, MES project manager.

(Source: Zenith Technologies)