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Irish Times

Digital transformation and personalised medicine are reshaping PharmaChem

Ireland's PharmaChem industry comprises more than 90 biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical and chemical companies, including eight of the world's top 10 Biopharma companies. The sector contributes about 20 per cent to Ireland's GDP, and generates more than €116 billion annually in exports. Ireland ranks as the world's third-largest pharmaceutical exporter and is Europe's second-largest exporter of complex pharmaceutical goods and medicines. The sector supports more than 80,000 jobs and has attracted more than €10 billion in foreign direct investment over the past decade. Today Ireland's biopharmaceutical and chemical industries stand at a critical juncture, with opportunities for growth alongside several pressing challenges. Since 2014 the Pharma Industry Awards , organised by Business River, have celebrated outstanding achievements by individuals and organisations that set new standards in the pharmaceutical industry. The annual awards event attracts hundreds of industry professionals, some of whom reflect here on trends over the past decade and what the future holds. READ MORE Emmeline Yuen-O'Sullivan, senior enterprise account executive at Aizon , identifies digital transformation as the most notable shift in pharmaceutical manufacturing optimisation over the past decade. 'As pharma manufacturing grows more complex, this transformation has laid the groundwork for the next phase of intelligent, real-time decision-making,' she says. Susan Costello, network director at BioPharmaChem Skillnet , points to the shift towards advanced and personalised therapies as the most transformative trend. 'The emergence of mRNA vaccines and cell and gene therapies has redefined our sector,' Costello observes. 'This evolution has not only reshaped manufacturing but also created a pressing need for upskilling and workforce development.' For Clodagh Phelan, marketing specialist at Camida , the rise of strategic partnerships across the supply chain is one of the most impactful trends. 'At Camida, we've seen how collaboration between manufacturers, suppliers and logistic partners has driven resilience, innovation and accelerated time-to-market,' says Ms Phelan. Victor Vargas, commercial director and strategic lead at QuickStat, A Kuehne+Nagel Company , notes that personalised medicine is experiencing a boom, with projected annual growth exceeding 10 per cent until 2032. 'QuickStat together with Kuehne Nagel has heavily invested in the necessary infrastructure to enable trade and continuous supply,' he adds. Jimmy Blaney, group vice-president, and director business development and marketing, at Asgard Cleanroom Solutions , comments that the BioPharma sector has been revolutionised by the shift from traditional construction methods to off-site modular approaches. 'These advantages are especially clear when navigating potential tariffs and supply-chain constraints, where consolidated off-site production lessens cross-border complexities,' Blaney explains. Over the past decade, gas detection technologies have undergone substantial advancements, particularly regarding the integration of connected technologies, according to Rebecca Keogh, business development manager at OBW Technologies . 'Traditional gas detectors have been replaced by more sophisticated systems that can communicate with other devices and software monitoring systems, enabling real-time data collection and sharing,' Ms Keogh adds. The view from trade organisation BioPharmaChem Ireland is that there is untapped potential for Ireland's life sciences sector to move up the value chain, leveraging research capabilities in biotechnologies, microbiome science, advanced materials, drug delivery and data analytics. Pharma Industry Awards by the numbers To maintain competitiveness, the sector's strategy is shifting towards several key themes. Advanced Therapeutics represents a big focus area, alongside expanded Global Business Services capabilities. The lobby group has identified development of the indigenous Biotech sector as crucial for creating a more resilient ecosystem. In addition, growing Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations (CDMOs) and accelerating digitalisation across the sector are strategic priorities for BioPharmaChem Ireland members. Vargas believes that a trend shaping the pharmaceutical industry in the coming years will be the heightened focus on developing robust and specialised logistics infrastructure. 'By investing in state-of-the-art logistics solutions, companies like QuickStat are enabling the efficient and safe handling of sensitive pharmaceutical products, ensuring that Ireland remains at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation and patient care for years to come,' he says. Blaney expects that sustainable building practices, digital integration and agile production techniques will dominate the industry's future. 'Growing demand for personalised therapies and stringent regulations will require adaptable, high-spec facilities, ensuring off-site construction remains a truly disruptive force in BioPharma's future,' says Blaney. Phelan is of the view that sustainability and supply chain transparency will define the next era in the industry. 'Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly seeking partners who align with ESG goals, ensuring ethical sourcing, reduced environmental impact and data-driven visibility throughout the supply chain.' Yuen-O'Sullivan expects digital transformation to accelerate, with artificial intelligence adoption progressing from isolated experiments to widespread, in-process implementation under GxP conditions. 'Lightweight AI-powered tools will enable faster deployment of digital solutions, making advanced, real-time analytics more accessible,' she says. Keogh predicts that integration of gas detectors with cloud-based systems will enhance centralised data analysis, reporting and management. 'Progress in sensor technology will focus on improving the portability, versatility, and accuracy of gas detection devices. Innovations such as AI and machine learning integration in sensors will increase accuracy and pattern detection,' says Keogh. Costello also believes that digitalisation and sustainability will be important trends going forward and she stresses the crucial importance of ensuring companies have robust talent strategies in place. In its 2023-2027 strategy document, BioPharmaChem Ireland called for a national strategy to identify future talent requirements and position Ireland as the global location of choice for Global Business Services. The document suggested that the government should establish an 'Office for Life Sciences' to co-ordinate these efforts. The strategy emphasises the development of project management and customer relationship management skills, as well as digital skills. In the report, Matt Moran, director of BioPharmaChem Ireland, commented: 'Ireland has benefited greatly from the growth of biologics, pharmaceuticals and chemicals industries and I believe that the best is yet to come.'