PodTech™️’s modular tech revolutionising drug manufacturing and bringing sustainability to the pharmaceutical supply chain
For a long time, the pharmaceutical industry was all about a few major multinational corporations relying on large facilities for drug manufacturing and global exportation, but now we are witnessing a shift on the horizon. The dynamic emergence of economies seeking reduced dependence on imports, coupled with the uncertain global economic climate pushing big pharma towards new markets, is fostering expectations of significant industry transformation. Considering this, the emerging field of modular pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities is gaining attention. This innovative approach facilitates rapid and cost-effective off-site construction of pharmaceutical plants, facilities and cleanrooms, holding a promise to bring more sustainability to the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Sustainability in pharmaceutical supply chain: revolutionising industry practices
Various companies are exploring modular pharmaceutical manufacturing in the United States. Biologics Modular, GE Healthcare, Swedish company Pharmadule, and more have entered this evolving field. Launched last year, PodTech™️ represents a significant advancement in modular biopharmaceutical factory systems, primarily targeting to support underserved countries, economies and companies that are looking to expand. This target is crucial for treating conditions such as non-communicable diseases, neglected tropical diseases and advancing local medicine manufacturing, underscoring PodTech™️’s innovative approach.
PodTech™️: advancing sustainability in pharmaceutical manufacturing
Aasif Ahsan Khan, founder of PodTech™️, emphasises that establishing regional pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing capability is a complex task, but PodTech™️ is changing the game. With over two decades of experience, PodTech™️’s sister company, Fabtech, has been a leading provider of end-to-end solutions for biopharma companies worldwide, encompassing projects and essential equipment for air, water, and process applications. The joint expertise of these two industries enables PodTech™️ to seamlessly integrate construction and process expertise, setting it apart from competing systems in the evolving landscape of modular pharmaceutical manufacturing.
PodTech’s self-contained podule™ cluster units are designed for seamless scalability, offering a quick and adaptable solution to meet diverse manufacturing needs. Each podule™ is a fully equipped, air-tight container, undergoing rigorous FA testing, validation, and shipping with an SAT test, ensuring immediate deployment on-site.
The technology is a game-changer, enabling a substantial 50% reduction in project schedules compared to traditional factory construction methods, all without disrupting ongoing operations. PodTech™️ stands out for its flexibility, scalability, and easy relocation capabilities, allowing swift adaptation to changing market conditions. This not only promotes efficiency but aligns with the imperative of sustainability in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Resilience in pharmaceutical supply chains
The COVID-19 pandemic served as a wake-up call for pharmaceutical companies as disruptions in the supply of drug components from Asia highlighted the vulnerability of their far-reaching supply chains. While previous events like tsunamis in 2011 and 2012 and Hurricane Maria in 2017 hinted at the risks, the pandemic became the catalyst for leaders to prioritise building resilience in their supply chains. This marks a significant shift, as pharmaceutical companies, driven by cost considerations, have been relocating a substantial portion of their manufacturing capacities or countries developing local manufacturing capacities.
Advantages of PodTech™️’s modular facilities
Employing a modular manufacturing approach is now allowing countries and companies to seamlessly create and relocate production to different global sites as needed, bolstered by the increasing digitisation and automation of production lines. This multi-faceted adaptability not only enhances operational resilience but also aligns with the necessity of sustainability in pharmaceutical supply chain, ensuring a robust response to challenges while prioritising environmental sustainability in pharmaceutical industry.
The advantages of PodTech™️’s modular facilities extend beyond conventional construction models. Off-site construction, a hallmark of modular facilities, has the ability to provide an essential business unaffected by on-site limitations. This resilience translates into efficient project delivery, And PodTech™️’s ability to ship prefabricated cleanroom podules™️ promptly. The expedited timeline, accelerated by pre-qualification and off-site construction, aligns with the critical need for sustainability in the pharmaceutical supply chain and bringing environmental sustainability in pharmaceutical industry.
Environmental sustainability in pharmaceutical manufacturing: a PodTech™️ perspective
The urgency to produce vaccines and important medication needs accelerated construction of cleanroom infrastructures, especially in the LMICs, and considering this, Podtech™️ has made 18-month delivery the new norm. PodTech™️’s introduction of standard cleanroom podules™️ further streamlines delivery timelines, enabling mass production and immediate stock availability. PodTech™️ aims to reinforce the time-to-production advantage of modular facilities, emphasising parallel construction of critical technical components for a compressed overall facility timeline.
Template design for flexibility and efficiency
PodTech™️’s modular facility, designed for cell and gene therapy, exemplifies the benefits of template design, which underscores the platform’s flexibility, accommodating changes in processing technology while ensuring cost predictability and a consistent construction schedule. PodTech™️’s prefabricated cleanrooms contribute to production consistency, designed with flexibility to follow optimised process flows, further enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Prioritising sustainability in pharmaceutical supply chain
PodTech™️ stands out in this transformative journey, offering a cutting-edge modular biopharmaceutical factory system. By seamlessly integrating construction and process expertise, PodTech™️ addresses the critical demand for sustainability in the pharmaceutical supply chain. The modular approach not only enhances operational resilience but also aligns with environmental sustainability in the pharmaceutical industry.