Revolutionising clinical manufacturing with low-code

| minute read

In the high-stakes world of pharmaceuticals and life sciences, the race to bring groundbreaking medication to market has never been more intense. In this industry case, you will learn about the captivating journey with a pharma industry giant, where cutting-edge technology meets innovation to transform manufacturing. Prepare to be inspired by the future of medication development.

The challenges: the race for rapid innovation

Luckily, the global pandemic is not top of mind anymore, but during that period, the race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine underscored the need for rapid innovation. The primary challenges faced included the necessity for a secure, scalable, flexible, and cost-effective manufacturing platform. Time-to-market became a crucial differentiator, and adopting new technologies was imperative to stay ahead in the competitive life sciences landscape.

The solution: Mendix and low-code technology

Our approach focused on utilising Mendix, a trusted low-code platform, to tackle these challenges. Tailoring Mendix components towards specific use cases, we created a Low-code Accelerator Suite which was employed to fuel a Manufacturing Execution System (MES).  

This suite is known for its:

  • Cost-effectiveness: 2-4 times cheaper than competitors like Tulip and PasX.
  • Speedy implementation: 2-3 months compared to multiple years required by competitors.
  • Flexibility: easily adaptable to users' needs due to its low-code technology.
  • Client Control: empowers users with full control over their processes.

By combining pre-built components with newly created functionality tailored to specific use cases, we ensured a perfect fit for the pharma giant's requirements. Built on the globally recognized S88 standard, the solution emphasised delivering a cost-effective, agile, and flexible platform.

Implementation and outcomes

The implementation phase focused on creating a Master Batch Record (MBR) visual design functionality within the S88 standard. S88 is a set of guidelines for batch process control in manufacturing, which helps organise and manage production processes more efficiently.

This allowed for flexible creation, auditability, approval workflows, and seamless execution of Electronic Batch Records (EBRs). Integration into existing systems ensured adaptability to future needs.

Overcoming potential hurdles, our team worked closely with our client to configure and optimise the MBR creation process. Real-time adaptability was a priority, allowing for swift adjustments and enhancements as required. Transparent communication fostered a successful implementation, resulting in a fully integrated, auditable, and efficient MBR execution process.

Transformative results

The most significant achievement was reducing the development time, significantly: from months to a few weeks. This remarkable reduction positioned the pharma giant as an industry leader in responsiveness, bringing about substantial cost savings. Our solution streamlined the MBR creation process, enhancing efficiency and auditability. The end-to-end integration ensured a seamless workflow, from creation to approval and execution.

In a landscape where innovation is paramount, our MES implementation exemplifies our commitment to revolutionising manufacturing. As companies strive to accelerate drug development, our solution offers not just efficiency and cost-effectiveness but a transformative journey toward unparalleled success in the life sciences industry.

"From the initial contact to winning and celebrating the bid, our collaboration with Mendix and our Pharma/Lifescience colleagues was seamless. Together, we mastered the customer’s language and delivered exceptional results with one of the best teams I’ve ever worked with."

Aswin Van Braam

Practice Lead Mendix, Sopra Steria