Over the next 5-10 years, the biopharma industry is poised to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in “Lab of the Future” (LoF) or “Digital Labs” initiatives, with digital spending expected to surge from $4 billion to $10 billion. This strategic shift aims to boost productivity, elevate R&D quality, and ensure a safer working environment by harnessing cutting-edge technologies.
The urgency for this transformation has been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing pharma companies to swiftly implement their vision for the Lab of the Future.
The rapid adoption of digital solutions is expected to be particularly pronounced in key segments of the Lab of the Future:
- Data and workflow integration and sharing solutions.
- Advanced visualization and analytics, including AI/ML solutions.
- Advanced robotics and instrument control systems.
- IoT applications for managing and tracking processes.
Biologic Discovery and Scale-up labs, Analytical Labs, and high-volume labs like HTS/HCS are leading the charge in embracing the Lab of the Future. Collaborating with third-party vendors specializing in emerging LoF solutions, such as LIMS/ELN/Workflow providers (e.g., Benchling, L7, SeraCare), Data Integration and Analytic platforms (e.g., iNDx.ai, GeneData, Qlucore, TetraScience), and Instrument Control players (e.g., Synthace, HiRes), presents a significant opportunity for pharma companies to accelerate their digital transformation efforts and achieve scalable LoF activities.
