The critical role of manufacturing
"Without manufacturing, research will never be applied. It is in the manufacturing process that a newly discovered substance becomes a product that can reach patients," says Janet Hoogstraate, who has a background in pharmaceutical research, but has increasingly shifted her focus to manufacturing throughout her career, seeing it as a crucial part of the life science value chain.
Sweden has a strong tradition in pharmaceutical manufacturing and is home to one of the world's largest tablet factories. The pharmaceutical industry is an important export industry, creating both jobs and revenue. At the same time, the industry faces several challenges, not least for small companies that want to scale up their production.
Scaling up production - a challenge for smaller companies
One of the biggest obstacles for small research-driven companies is that they do not always think about the whole production chain from the beginning.
"It is common to settle for a half-finished process to make Pharma," says Hoogstraate. She continues:
"But if you don't have a long-term plan, you may have to repeat important steps, which costs both time and money."
She gives examples of how a production method that works on a small scale can prove unsustainable on a larger scale.
"If you are growing cells in small bottles for clinical studies, a limited number of bottles might work. But for larger production, you would need thousands of vials, which is not practical."
To address these challenges, Hoogstraate encourages small companies to seek early collaboration with experienced manufacturers and to make use of the CDMOs (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations) that exist in Sweden.
"We have a strong ecosystem and we are good at collaborating in Sweden. It is important to take advantage of the expertise that exists."
Skills shortages and competition for talent
Another challenge for the sector is the supply of skills.
"We are not only competing with other pharmaceutical companies for talent, but also with the whole manufacturing industry," says Janet.
The life sciences sector competes with all other manufacturing industries for engineers and technicians in areas such as operators, IT, AI and automation. To attract more people to the sector, she says the industry needs to be better at showcasing its innovation.
"Many people think of cleanrooms and sterile environments when they hear pharmaceutical manufacturing. But there is so much more. We work with advanced automation, AI and biotechnology - it's an incredibly exciting industry."
Hoogstraate also highlights the importance of training and internships.
"We need to market the courses that are available and make sure they are adapted to the needs of industry. It's not just about teaching theory - students need to get practical experience and understand how production works in real life."
Technology development and the future of Swedish pharmaceutical production
Technology is developing rapidly and Sweden has the potential to be at the forefront of innovation in pharmaceutical production. Hoogstraate sees AI as an area with great potential.
"AI can be used to optimize chromatography processes, predict quality outcomes and streamline manufacturing. It's a technology we've only scratched the surface of."
Another area undergoing major developments is cell and gene therapy.
"In the past, Pharma were mainly proteins and viruses, but now we are seeing an increase in cell therapies where the patient's own cells are treated and then used to stimulate the immune system. This requires completely new production methods," says Janet.
"Swedish companies are playing an important role in this development and I am positive about the future. We have a strong tradition and a lot of expertise in manufacturing in Sweden. By continuing to develop the technology, collaborate and invest in skills development, we can ensure that we remain a leader in Life Science," concludes Janet.
Summary
Swedish pharmaceutical production faces both challenges and great opportunities. Scaling up for small companies, skills shortages and competition for talent are obstacles that must be overcome. At the same time, technological developments, AI, and innovations in cell and gene therapy are creating new ways forward. Through collaboration and a strategic investment in skills and the advancement of technology, Sweden has the potential to remain a leading nation in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
We thank Janet for her interesting thoughts and insights and we can conclude that the opportunities and potential of Swedish companies outweigh the challenges in the industry.
