Scaling Biomanufacturing for the Future: Why Data as an Asset is Non-Negotiable

by Steven Barash | posted on January 10, 2025

When I think about the future of biomanufacturing, especially with the incredible breakthroughs in cell and gene therapies, I can’t help but feel a sense of urgency. These therapies have the potential to change lives, yet the industry is barely scratching the surface when it comes to scaling. Right now, even the best-equipped facilities struggle to produce a few hundred batches yearly. But what happens when the demand grows to tens of thousands of doses?

Let me be candid: I’m concerned. If organizations don’t rethink how they approach manufacturing—if they don’t invest in digital systems and, most importantly, start treating data as an asset—they will find themselves stuck. Data is the real game-changer; data connects everything and flows seamlessly between systems, and that’s why data needs to be treated with the same care and strategic intent as the therapies themselves.

The Hidden Challenge in Biomanufacturing

Here’s what I’ve observed across the industry: life science companies focus so heavily on optimizing their processes or enhancing their products that they miss the bigger picture. Processes and products don’t exist in a vacuum—they’re tied together by data. And if that data isn’t contextualized, standardized, and accessible, no amount of process optimization will help.

Think of it this way: data is not a byproduct of manufacturing; it’s the foundation of everything scientific organizations do. Without that foundation, the industry risks more than inefficiencies—it risks the future of these therapies.

The Time to Act is Now

I wish my concerns were theoretical, but I hear them from colleagues, partners, and customers daily. The question is no longer whether digital transformation is necessary but how quickly life science companies will act. Because those who treat data as an afterthought are, unfortunately, already behind.

Investing in digital infrastructure is necessary for long-term survival. Organizations that establish robust data strategies today—by adopting unifying platforms like L7|ESP®—are the ones that will lead tomorrow. 

These platforms don’t just manage workflows; they ensure that every piece of data is contextualized and leveraged to its full potential. That’s what enables scalability, real-time decision-making, and the integration of cutting-edge tools like robotics and machine learning.

The Path Forward

Scaling biomanufacturing means meeting today’s demand and building confidence in tomorrow’s possibilities. Patients, prescribers, and healthcare systems must trust that our industry can deliver these life-changing therapies reliably and at scale. That trust starts with the choices organizations make today about their digital infrastructure and data strategy.

By treating data as a strategic asset—investing in its contextualization, flow, and accessibility—life science companies position themselves to meet the challenges of scale and redefine what’s possible in biomanufacturing. With the right foundation, the leap from hundreds of doses to tens of thousands isn’t daunting; it’s bound to happen.

The tools are here, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. If you’re ready to have that conversation, I’d love to connect. Let’s talk about what it means to put data first and how platforms like L7|ESP can help you scale your operations while future-proofing your business.