01.
The client
Solution preparation in pharmaceutical and life science labs is time consuming and open to human error. Our client developed a platform that combined the precision of AI with the consistency of robotics, resulting in a game changing automated approach to the solution preparation.
02.
The challenge
Partnering with this cutting-edge pharma startup, we were faced with a number of formidable technological challenges. The first task was to efficiently integrate our teams with the goal of providing coordinated technical support in both the United States and the United Kingdom. This required close and constant communication, and a deep understanding of solution and the technologies involved, such as C++, Linux console, IOTs and sensors, C#, Python, and monitoring tools, to ensure the application support was carried out optimally and without setbacks.
In addition to support, we were tasked with developing new functionalities and modules, specifically focused on SILA2 integration. This was a crucial responsibility as it would enhance and expand the capabilities of the existing system. To ensure everything worked perfectly, we had to work hand in hand with the theirs team in the USA and UK, which allowed us to receive immediate feedback and make swift adjustments. Last but not least, we generated updated documentation for all processes, thus ensuring a smooth transition and effective implementation in both regions.
03.
The solution
To effectively address the challenge posed by pharma startups, we first established a 6 months plan with weekly goals, listing all the work and goals we aimed to achieve. This plan provided a clear roadmap and set clear expectations for all parties involved. Recognizing the complex nature of the technology at hand, we formed a multidisciplinary team with vast experience. This group was not only adept at tackling the diverse technological complexities but also focused on acquiring a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the entire application.
Aware of the importance of structured management, we implemented a governance strategy specific to the project. This strategy encompassed all the various teams and management tiers, ensuring the project consistently and efficiently progressed. In tandem, we set up a weekly report to communicate the latest updates, report on any arising impediments, and discuss critical decisions that needed to be made. This report also served as a means to monitor the hours worked and the budget, ensuring the project stayed on the right track.
Incorporating agile methodologies, we adopted a Scrum strategy that allowed us to efficiently tackle all the tasks and risks involved in the project. This methodology proved particularly useful when adaptability was needed; we added and removed team members based on the expertise required for specific tasks, always ensuring maximum efficiency. A key cornerstone throughout this process was maintaining fluid and constant communication among all teams. This collaborative approach maximized transparency, proving essential for the project’s success.
04.
Approach
Addressing the challenge presented by the pharmaceutical startup required a methodical and structured strategy. Hence, we undertook the following actions:
- Detailed Proposal: We introduced a comprehensive proposal which included:
- Budget: We outlined a financial breakdown covering all project phases, encompassing personnel costs, technological tools, training sessions, and miscellaneous expenses.
- Timeline: A structured timeline was crafted with staggered deliverables, reflecting sprints, reviews, and feature release dates.
- Team: We assembled a multidisciplinary team, tailored to the skill sets necessary for each phase.
- Governance Levels and Responsibilities: A clear governance structure was set, outlining member responsibilities and establishing communication channels among different tiers.
- Meetings: Daily standups were instituted to monitor progress and address blockers, along with weekly sessions for deep dive analyses and decision-making. Additionally, monthly strategy and review sessions were scheduled to reevaluate and adjust the approach when necessary.
- Knowledge Transfer Sessions: Regular knowledge transfer sessions were arranged between technical experts from both sides, ensuring pivotal information was shared. These sessions assisted in aligning our strategies and optimizing technical implementations.
- Dedicated Technical Team: Our technical team operated full-time, accommodating both US and UK time zones to guarantee maximum collaboration. We established complete sprints with daily standups to review progress, discuss barriers, and redirect efforts when required.
- Weekly Progress Reports: Comprehensive weekly reports were generated detailing project progression, encountered obstacles, and implemented solutions. Beyond serving as a transparency tool, these reports fostered trust among all stakeholders and kept everyone informed.
- Technical Leaders’ Support: We leaned on the invaluable guidance of our technical leaders, who consistently provided advice to the team, simplifying technical problem-solving and navigating the project’s intricacies.
- Expert Consultation: We ensured expert consultation from individuals with extensive industry experience. These experts not only brought their technical knowledge but also aided in strategic planning, anticipating potential risks, and suggesting innovative solutions for prospective challenges.
With this holistic approach, we managed to not only tackle the initial challenge but also establish a lasting and productive relationship with the pharmaceutical startup, grounded in transparency, commitment, and technical excellence.
05.
Benefits
As the technology team supporting the pharma startup, our collaborative efforts played a pivotal role in bringing the vision of automating solution preparation in pharmaceutical and life science labs to life. Our partnership and contribution laid the foundation for the multiple benefits that the automated reagent solution preparation offers to the pharmaceutical industry:
- Time Optimization: By automating workflows, scientists can devote more time to research and development of therapies, accelerating the introduction of meaningful drugs into the market. Our team’s expertise ensured that this automation was seamless, efficient, and user-friendly.
- Risk Reduction: The potential for human errors, cross-contaminations, or deviations in manual solution preparation is high. Our collaborative work in integrating automation and robotic precision minimized these risks, ensuring solutions of higher quality and reliability. We recognized the challenges of buffer solution preparation in labs and addressed these bottlenecks head-on.
- Consistency and Reproducibility: Our team played an integral part in developing the AI and robotics systems that ensure every prepared solution maintains its consistency, thereby guaranteeing more uniform and reproducible research outcomes.
- Waste Reduction: Through our technological expertise, we fine-tuned the automated reagent solution preparation to minimize waste, which not only reduces costs but also benefits the environment.
- Quality Control (QC) Improvement: We understood the importance of reliable QC in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Increased Capacity: Our team’s proficiency in automation expanded the capacity of solution preparations, enabling labs to handle larger volumes and conduct more research simultaneously.
- Enhanced Safety: Our technology team prioritized safety, ensuring reduced human intervention in the preparation process, which in turn minimized the exposure of scientists to potentially hazardous chemical reagents.
- Constant Innovation: Being a cloud-connected platform, our team made sure the system could receive consistent updates, keeping labs at the forefront of technology and methodologies.
- Integration and Standardization: Collaborating with the pharma startup, we emphasized the importance of integrating the automated reagent solution preparation with existing tools, ensuring a seamless operational flow in labs. Our collaboration optimized operations, providing labs with a consolidated technological platform and standardized services.
In summary, our technology team’s role was instrumental in aiding the pharma startup to position the pharmaceutical industry towards greater efficiency, safety, and innovation. Our combined efforts have redefined industry standards, ultimately benefiting both companies and patients awaiting novel therapies and treatments.
Anonymous
“Software engineers from the INNOVANT team have performed exceptionally well. They make significant contributions to technical discussions, easily integrating into the internal team. Using the agile methodology and Azure DevOps for work item management, INNOVANT has led a smooth workflow.”
