As we say farewell to 2020, Ayming reflects on the key stories, opinions and coverage that have shaped the year. From 3D-bioprinting to vaccines, nutrition tracking to psychedelics, the Life Sciences sector had quite the year…
2020 demanded unparalleled innovation in life sciences. Our team has had plenty to cover throughout the year, but our reflections of 2020 are most eloquently expressed in a piece by Njy Rios, Director of Innovation Incentives, from December. This article for the CBI explains how the Covid-19 vaccine R&D process should be a blueprint for innovation going forward.
Covid-19 hasn’t only altered vaccine development but has boosted investment across life sciences. As commented by Naomi Ikeda, Manager of Innovation Incentives, in S&P Global, the nature of the pandemic “will make life sciences a more attractive area to invest in as a precautionary measure against future events that could have similar effects in society”.
But Covid shouldn’t take away from the innovative work that has continued to take place across life sciences, with our team paying close attention to the trends that are going to change the sector in 2021 and beyond. Our International Innovation Barometer report, as covered in Pharma Phorum, outlined the broader changes in innovation practices and funding, including for the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector, and finds the outlook to be positive.
Naomi Ikeda, Manager, R&D Incentives
In our Making science fiction, fact report, the team highlighted that heightened regulatory standards and tightening purse strings are prominent drivers for innovation. In Pharma Times, Delphine Malarde, Consultant, R&D Incentives, explored how 3D bioprinting is the next step in tailor-made medicine. Bioprinting is going to continue to grow in the coming years, as applications increase, but the speed of this change is going to be determined by the willingness, of not only the Pharmaceutical industry, but legislators.
Another area of interest was AgeTech. It’s good news that we’re living longer, but that isn’t an automatic positive if life quality is lowered. Naomi Ikeda and Maxine McKenzie, Associate Consultant, R&D Incentives, outlined how AgeTech is coming on leaps and bounds, whether that’s nutrition tracking or robotics.
The team have been very impressed by the way in which novel technologies have breathed new life into science throughout this year. Naomi Ikeda and Maxine McKenize highlighted how technology is providing new opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry, whether through big data, bioinformatics or machine learning.
But this novel approach isn’t just down to new technology, but a new mindset. This is best reflected through the use of psychedelic treatments for mental health. Penny Sherlock, Associate Consultant, R&D Incentives, explained that the use of psychedelic drugs to treat mental health illnesses isn’t new, but there is now greater support behind it, both in terms of scientific trials and commercial backing.
All of this change has been underpinned by increasing sustainability in the sector, with the team identifying a move away from fossil fuels and petrochemical plastics and a return to nature.
Notes to Editors
Ayming is a leading international Business Performance consultancy and has a global footprint. The Group is present in 17 countries: Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia, the UK and USA with a staff of approximately 1,400.
In the UK Ayming helps businesses to improve their financial and operational performance through innovation, tax, procurement and supply chain, working capital and operational efficiency services.
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