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The pharma industry is continuously evolving which creates value for both the industry itself and the patients that rely on the ever-more varied and targeted drugs it manufacturers. An initiative that is strongly reflective of this evolution and one actively affecting the industry itself is Pharma 4.0. But what is this term and how does the initiative it defines affect processes related to the industry? How does Pharma 4.0 have value for the patient?
The Origin & Targets of Pharma 4.0
The term Pharma 4.0 is actually adapted from the umbrella terminology Industry 4.0 and refers to the linking of the area of industrial production with modern information and communication technology. This is done in order to achieve a primarily self-organized production process and to gain valuable, useable data. Throughout the industry, the goal for Pharma 4.0 is to adapt promising and feasible approaches from Industry 4.0 into the pharma world, one where companies find themselves affected by a highly regulated environment and, at times, ever-higher barriers to change.
Quality Remains the Key
In the field of high-value injectable products, quality is the first and foremost requirement. And no wonder, as the patient is actually injecting these manufactured drugs into their body. Therefore, any outcome resulting from 4.0 initiatives, for example, increased intelligent automation processes designed to respond and contribute to the ever-increasing requirements from the regulatory and customer side will be a benefit.
Advantages of Pharma 4.0
One of the core advantages for pharma is helping to make their business more safe and efficient. Thus, one approach is viewing as a whole the numerous single pharmaceutical production steps that must be taken, with the focus being on the complete value-added chain. Additionally, fields of importance include data integrity with the overall target of having the right data available in the right quality, at the right time, and in the right place. As solution providers, CDMOs are reliable partners to their pharma and biotech customers and are in close cooperation on these topics. The shared target is improved quality, efficiency and, consequently, mutual success.
Vetter 4.0
At Vetter, Pharma 4.0 is more than an industry initiative. It has actually affected the very core of the company itself. As proof of this importance, we created a specific strategic initiative called Vetter 4.0 which includes, for example, the use of new technological digitalization possibilities in processes, systems and organization. It also contains activities such as the search for new technology, implementing a 4.0 maturity index, as well as the simulation and dealing with possible factory processes of the future. Furthermore, because the entire 4.0 thematic area represents a monumental change affecting all involved parties within our industry, we believe it is essential that all employees are included in this journey from the very beginning.
Thinking “Outside the Box” With Diversity
From the ‘outside the box’ view, we remain open-minded in a multi-faceted way in regards to promising approaches for today and for the future. Therefore, we are seeking close relationships with participants from different industries who have similar challenges in order to encourage a mutual exchange. And, we must never forget one of our core activities – that of keeping up the continuous engagement and dialogue with our customers and other valuable parties throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Pharma 4.0 is Revolutionizing Our Industry, but Our Target Will Remain the Same
Pharma 4.0 is certainly one of the most talked about topics within the pharma industry today, and with good reason. Compared to other initiatives on the industry radar, its implementation has the potential to revolutionize the pharma and biotech industry by helping to make it safer and far more efficient. Pharma 4.0 is a next critical step on the journey of revolutionizing the world in which the industry operates. It essentially leaves the core production process itself intact, focusing on tasks such as the handling and usage of the gained results and data in a more comprehensive and functional manner than in the past. In our opinion, possessing meaningful data will have increasing value in the future and will also create new business models.
The companies that will be able to deal with these developments successfully will likely benefit from a stable, yet competitive advantage. However, the overarching target of any industry undertaking must never be forgotten. And that is, providing the necessary support that helps lead the industry into a prosperous era for the benefit of patients worldwide.
About Vetter
Headquartered in Ravensburg, Germany, Vetter is a global leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with production facilities in Germany and the United States. The company, which currently employs 4,400 individuals worldwide, has long-term experience offering services ranging from early development support including clinical manufacturing, to commercial supply and various packaging solutions for vials, syringes and cartridges. Vetter’s customers range from small and midsize to the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical and biotech companies. As a leading solution provider, the CDMO recognizes its responsibility in supporting the needs of its customers in developing devices that contribute to increased patient safety, convenience, and enhanced compliance. In addition, the company places high importance on social responsibility including environmental protection and sustainability. Learn more about Vetter at www.vetter-pharma.com. |
