Introduction:
This article discusses the importance of ontologies in enhancing communication and interoperability among bioprocessing technologies within the biopharmaceutical industry. Researchers from the U.S. National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) emphasize that effective data exchange across different manufacturing processes is crucial for the advancement of digital manufacturing practices.
- The article highlights that interoperability—the ability to transfer information effectively between different stages of biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes—is a significant challenge faced by companies.
- Disparities in digital maturity and legacy data systems among various pharmaceutical manufacturers exacerbate issues related to interoperability.
- NIIMBL researchers advocate for the creation of canonical data schemas and ontologies to facilitate seamless data exchanges, which are developed collaboratively by consortia and standard-setting organizations.
- A set of ontologies developed by NIIMBL and OAGi provides a reference framework aimed at improving systems integration, data analytics, and overall digital transformation within the industry.
- Several leading pharmaceutical companies are already implementing these ontologies to enhance operational efficiency and expedite processes such as tech transfers and process optimizations.
Conclusion:
The use of ontologies represents a pivotal advancement in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, potentially transforming how companies share and utilize data. Enhanced interoperability through these frameworks not only promises improved productivity but also fosters innovation in drug development and manufacturing processes. Future collaborations and ongoing revisions of these ontologies will likely further strengthen the integration of digital technologies in this sector.
