Leading examples of digital technology use and future prospects for pharmaceutical factories

Abstract

In recent years, the advancement of digital technologies such as digital twins, metaverse, and CPS (Cyber-Physical Systems) has begun to influence the pharmaceutical industry. This report presents case studies from various sectors, including a virtual hospital developed by Juntendo University, a digital twin-based manufacturing approach by Toyota Production Engineering, and xR-based inspection technologies from Hitachi Solutions. These cases illustrate the potential for enhancing communication, optimizing production environments, and ensuring operational accuracy through digital integration. Furthermore, this paper discusses the expected evolution from the current Digital Island status of pharmaceutical plants toward a more connected and predictive model, based on the Digital Plant Maturity Model (BioPhorum). The insights aim to serve as a reference for the pharmaceutical industry's future digital transformation.