In the pharmaceuticals and biotech industries, projects and manufacturing are often secondary to discovery and marketing. However, most pharmaceutical companies are recognizing the value of implementing an excellent capital project delivery system.
The pharmaceuticals and biotech industries execute a wide variety of projects from production facilities to laboratories to site utilities and infrastructure. The typical pharmaceutical project delivery system must have the flexibility to deliver market-driven or new technology manufacturing-facility projects while cost effectively delivering infrastructure or “non-rush” projects. In this complex environment, the industry is challenged to develop capital project delivery systems that can effectively manage varying priorities, functionalities, and regulatory requirements.
In addition, the ability to consistently identify and develop the most promising investments and execute them well is more important than ever for the pharmaceuticals and biotech industries. In recent years, capital spending has become more cautious as the pharmaceutical industry has found it cannot afford the risks of unused facilities if clinical trials do not pan out or if product launch is unsuccessful. Design and construction approaches have become more complex as the shift toward smaller launches and targeted therapies requires more flexible facilities and multi-product platforms.
IPA helps pharmaceutical companies develop the flexibility in project systems and project implementation processes required to plan and execute all capital projects effectively. IPA has examined more than 11,000 projects from the processing industries, including approximately 500 pharmaceuticals projects. We understand, through analysis and quantitative measurement, the project procedures that are most effective for any combination of business demands.
Our detailed and carefully normalized Pharmaceutical Projects Database covers all types of industry capital projects, from utilities and infrastructure projects to laboratories and manufacturing facilities. The database contains standalone facilities and add-on, expansion, and revamp projects from pharmaceutical companies worldwide.
The database contains variables for each project that cover the entire project life cycle, from early planning and R&D through commissioning, qualification, and early operation. We have used these data to develop powerful statistical tools that enable us to compare pharmaceutical project performance in numerous areas.
IPA analysts use these data and tools to evaluate project drivers and outcomes, and to benchmark project systems. In addition, IPA performs research to examine the key issues for pharmaceutical and biotech projects, such as project system responsiveness, Organizational Effectiveness, commissioning and qualification Best Practices, and engineering costs.