Group of experts proposes actions to boost use of new technologies in biotechnology sector

The Spanish Bioindustry Association and ASD (Digital Health Association) published a document this Monday with a compilation of the main conclusions on the state of new disruptive digital technologies (big data, artificial intelligence, biorobotics, blockchain, Internet Of Things, quantum computing and virtual or augmented reality) in the Spanish biotechnology sector. “Disruptive digital technologies are transforming the world today and their applications in the biotechnology sector offer a great opportunity to continue innovating in the form of solutions to the big challenges we are facing as a society in all areas of our day-to-day lives,” declared AseBio Chairwoman Ana Polanco. 

This document reflects the results of the think tank launched by the AseBio Biotechnology and New Technologies workgroup and the ASD. This group was created to reflect on the current state of disruptive digital technologies in the biotechnology sector and propose actions to improve it in the public and private arenas.

In Spain

According to the experts, although the sector is receptive and open to using these technologies and there are funding opportunities, there are still very few initiatives that can serve as a benchmark and not a lot of data available. Plus, the group concluded, although we have great professionals and “very interesting” initiatives, knowledge in the academic world isn’t always connected to the rest of the economic stakeholders, such as companies. We need better communication among all stakeholders in the innovation system so we can take advantage of this opportunity to position ourselves and be more competitive. “The value of data through artificial intelligence will allow biotechnology companies to advance more quickly and robustly, generating the scientific evidence they need in research and development of their products and services,” highlighted ASD President Jaime del Barrio.

During the pandemic

The pandemic is a success story and a benchmark in using these disruptive technologies, although there is still the potential for greater development. Society has seen the great potential of disruptive technologies combined with the knowledge and tools provided by biotechnology, which are key for prevention, monitoring, drug discovery, and being prepared to face future pandemics or healthcare emergencies. In this document, the think tank experts highlight how these technologies have been used to learn about the virus and predict how the pandemic would evolve, although they also noted the technologies were underused and a low level of maturity among professionals, plus the general public’s lack of knowledge and fear of privacy infringement.

Why does this happen?

At AseBio, we did a survey of the sector to find out how these technologies are used and better understand the barriers companies face, which we published in 2021. The people surveyed noted barriers in terms of training, regulatory issues, lack of suppliers, lack of knowledge of the technology or lack of development or maturity of the technology.

The eight experts involved in this document presented in Madrid reflected on how to move forward and get past these challenges. They concluded that all the sector stakeholders can take action and must join forces to help break down these barriers. The public sector, for example, can help boost talent attraction, retention and creation. Companies could encourage entrepreneurship by rewarding innovation and generating leadership in new change-management business models. Furthermore, associations in the sector could create support policies to streamline regulations, hold training courses and consolidating dissemination, all to act as a nexus connecting all the stakeholders in the sector.

How can we improve how society views new technologies and better take advantage of them?

Faced with the lack of information on the use of data and the opportunities of disruptive digital technologies, experts propose more education, dissemination and awareness-raising, focusing specifically on students doing life sciences and STEM degrees. Plus, it is important to establish the proper regulatory and legal framework to protect society’s rights, the document shows.

To drive the transformation that can come from uniting disruptive technologies and biotechnology, we have to keep stressing the importance of this topic on political agendas. One of the conclusions experts reached is that the programmes proposed by the various administrations are too little too late, as well as being implemented unevenly in each autonomous community, where there is unequal experience. In short, to improve the state of new technologies in the biotechnology sector specifically and in society in general, we have to delve deeper into a strategy to implement and maintain them over time and have the budget and earmark it properly, as reflected in the conclusions compiled by AseBio and ASD. “The healthcare and wellbeing revolution supported by disruptive technologies is not optional; it is an urgent, essential need,” remarked Barrio. “That’s why we have to continue hosting analysis and debate forums like the one that led to the conclusions we’re presenting today. Initiatives like this one are key to contributing innovative solutions to the great challenges we are facing as a society,” Polanco summed up.

The group members are:

• Elisa Martín Garijo: Director of Health, Instituto de Ingeniería del Conocimiento

• Felip Miralles: Director of the Digital Health Unit, Eurecat technology centre

• Paula Petrone: Founder of Phenobyte, which develops advanced data analysis and engineering methods to improve health and the healthcare system

• Alfonso Rubio Manzanares: President of barcelonaqbit-bqb, The Quantum Information and CyberseQurity Think Tank

• Carlos Tarín: Head of Data Managing, Atrys

• Elisa Díaz Martínez:  Public Affairs and Policy Head, Merck Spain, and coordinator of the AseBio Biotechnology and Digitalisation workgroup

• Ulises Arranz: through 2019, Managing Partner of the Digital and Technology team, Accenture

• Jaime del Barrio: President, Digital Health Association

Watch the presentation live.