Insights
July / August 2019

Technology Innovations and the Pharmaceutical Industry
James A. Breen, Jr., PE
Article

Many of us have heard of Moore’s Law, named after Gordon Moore, cofounder of Intel1 . Moore’s Law predicted that computing would increase in power and decrease in relative cost at an exponential pace. This allows us to use this power for new technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), which are starting to impact the pharmaceutical industry.

Technology is the theme for this issue of Pharmaceutical Engineering. This is an exciting time to be in the pharmaceutical industry as we participate in the rapid waves of technological innovation that allow us to better serve patients.

Technology Benefits

Technological innovation allows us to work across multiple industries, see how technology is being applied in those industries, and learn how we may use it in our industry. It also allows us to work with academia, government, and industry to develop solutions that will truly improve our industry.

In the pharmaceutical industry today, pharmaceutical companies are analyzing how to use blockchain, data analytics, AI, and other technologies to help improve efficiency and effectiveness in bringing products to the patient. These tools are being applied in many areas affecting our daily lives.

Specific technologies impacting the pharmaceutical industry include continuous manufacturing technology and cell and gene therapy.

How ISPE Can Help

The pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve to meet accelerated changes from new technology solutions that lead to new business models to meet patient needs.

ISPE offers help with the training and education of our members to understand and implement these new technologies in their careers, including conferences, training courses, and articles in PE highlighting some new technologies and how members can learn about and apply them.

ISPE’s new Strategic Plan, which will be unveiled at the 2019 ISPE Annual Meeting & Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, will outline the areas to focus on as an industry to allow our members to be prepared to help deliver lifesaving medicines to patients. Key to ISPE’s strategy is how the pharmaceutical industry will address the speed and pace of change of technology.

I look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas 27–30 October to talk about the new ISPE Strategic Plan. As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.

About the Author

James A. Breen, Jr., PE
Vice President, Global Engineering and Technology
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
Jim is presently Vice President, Engineering & Technology, Janssen Pharmaceutical at Johnson & Johnson. Jim has worked for Johnson & Johnson for over 25 years...