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Can GCCs Help Reimagine Pharma R&D Processes and Operations?
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Can GCCs Help Reimagine Pharma R&D Processes and Operations?

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29 Jan 2025

Pharma R&D continues to take longer, cost more, and attract greater scrutiny from regulators than ever before. To address these challenges, R&D leaders are turning to technology to drive greater effectiveness and efficiencies. On this journey, can global capability centers (GCCs) help pharma chart a new course in modernizing and transforming R&D processes, and become future-ready?
At the inaugural Future-Ready Pharma GCC Summit, industry leaders Nataraj Kalyanaraman, Vivek Jha, Nandita Adhikary and Dinesh Shenoy came together for an insightful panel discussion. Hosted by T-Hub, in partnership with Indegene, the summit saw these leaders exchange thoughts on how GCCs can help modernize pharma R&D processes and embrace new technologies with much greater vigor, driving better patient outcomes more cost-effectively. The crux of their discussion is captured below.

First Principles: The Need for Reimagining Pharma R&D

The session began with a fundamental question: why is there a need to reimagine pharma R&D processes and operations, and why now?
R&D is the backbone of all pharma companies but is inherently complex and evolving. To keep pace, we need to double down on innovation, improve cost efficiencies, and get better at hiring and retaining the right talent.
Lorem
– Nandita
Nataraj shared an interesting observation.
In the last decade or two, R&D costs have almost doubled. Yet, the time it takes to bring a medicine from the first human trial to approval has not substantially changed! That’s why we need to identify innovative ways to get more medicines to patients faster by addressing inefficiencies in the drug development process through new technologies and process improvements.
Lorem
– Nataraj

Disruptions and Challenges in Pharma

Given the disruptions and transformation in other industries, the public at large has started questioning why similar advancements have not yet been made in pharma. This brings to the fore the increasing demand for end-to-end solutions and the pressure on pharma companies to deliver more quickly and cost-effectively. Amidst all this, you can’t discount the challenges of competition and the need for pharma companies to continuously rethink their strategies to stay ahead.
For setting up and scaling GCCs, you need to focus on a few key aspects. Starting with the Courage to set up a GCC with an eye on improving R&D processes and operations; then having the Conviction to stay focused, with resilience; establishing deep Collaboration with HQ and key stakeholders across the world, and finally, Consistent delivery, helping align R&D outcomes with key business objectives.
Lorem
– Vivek

The Growing Role of Technology and Innovation

Technology and innovation play a crucial role in reimagining pharma R&D. The potential of AI/ML in accelerating drug development processes is now widely acknowledged.

The industry is at a pivotal point where technologies like AI/ML are becoming ready for prime time, and there is a need to bridge the gap between ideation and large-scale implementation.
Lorem
– Nataraj

Building a Sustainable Innovation Ecosystem

The discussion also touched upon the importance of building a sustainable ecosystem for pharma R&D. The leaders expressed optimism about the potential for India to become a hub for novel molecule development in the future. However, they also emphasized the need for collaboration with local partners and the government to strengthen the ecosystem.

Enabling Future-Ready Careers

Unsurprisingly, talent acquisition and retention emerged as a critical theme throughout the session. The panelists discussed the importance of training and upskilling the workforce to meet the evolving demands of the industry. They highlighted the need for a robust training program that bridges the gap between academic knowledge and practical application in drug development.

Unlearning is an under-rated but very important factor that pharma R&D leaders need to integrate into their culture, within their teams. Employees getting onboarded must be made familiar not just with the center’s and team’s objectives from day one, but also with the cultural nuances and ethos of the company.
Lorem
– Dinesh
It’s also crucial to break down silos between different functions within the R&D value chain and help improve talent mobility within R&D, so you have a good mix of people with cross-functional experience who appreciate the challenges and opportunities at every step.
Lorem
– Vivek

Conclusion

The panelists offered valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities pharma companies face as they reimagine pharma R&D processes and operations. There was consensus on the need for innovation, technology adoption, and building a sustainable ecosystem to accelerate drug development processes. As the pharma industry continues to evolve, collaboration and continuous learning will be key to staying ahead in the competitive landscape.

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