One thing constant in this world is change. There are changes in every aspect of daily existence with new technological breakthroughs and advancements in knowledge every day. One of the industries that face many changes is biotechnology with constant research, tech improvements, and scientific discoveries. Imagine in the past century, babies born prematurely don’t have a fighting chance. But because of new knowledge and advancements in machines, babies as young as twenty-four weeks survive in high-tech NICUs (neonatal intensive care units) around the world.
In this field, all businesses, research institutions, and organizations that deal with the improvement of the quality of life of all organisms are taken into account. In terms of human health, this includes an understanding of diseases so mankind can benefit from the studies and research and fight against these health pandemics. Here are some of the top ten trends in biotechnology that the world should expect to see in the forthcoming 2021:
1. The Production of Personalized Medicine Thanks to Advancements in Genetics
With the research industry becoming more expansive, many scientists and field experts discover a lot of things discover conditions that are inherited because of genetics. The implications of these are healthcare can be more personalized and customized based on human DNA and some other genome characteristics. This paves the way for the production of a more personal kind of medicine, including procedural healthcare requirements.
2. The Collaboration Amongst the Innovation Discoveries of Life Sciences Companies
The areas studying the life sciences are continuously developing and evolving. Its collaborative nature also means that its discoveries are dependent on past and present learnings. In 2021, biotech companies are expected to join forces and collaborate with other healthcare-related science organizations, so they can all together push the industry and aim for better results.
To illustrate, this can be seen in the collaboration efforts of four biotech companies in May 2019. The four lab giants called Arzeda, Twist Bioscience, Labcyte, and TeselaGen have set up a partnership to create their own state-of-the-art assembly platform for the DNA. Their primary objective for this endeavor was to craft food products such as sweeteners and other industry essentials. Their discoveries set forth to reduce the necessity to harvest or mine DNA supplies because they can now construct them from their laboratories.
3. The Developments and Improvements in Drug Research
In 2021, one of the continuing trends in biotech is the continued improvement and development of drug research. The advent of smart technology will continue to allow the possibility of improving and assessing diagnosis and treatment using medications. Think along the lines of telehealth, where technology is leveraged to bridge time and space so patients no longer have to leave the comforts of their own home to get a thorough check-up.
There will be a boost in the integration of assessment devices that will incorporate various methods like MRI scans, lab equipment, and in-patient monitoring in their management tools for better patient care. Because of this multi-method approach, doctors can combine the necessary data and provide a more accurate diagnosis and better treatment path for their patients. Because of these high-tech assessment mechanisms, they can now rely on more objective data.
4. A Boost in the Volume of Research in the Field
With advancements in biotech, many researchers can now focus on many different life sciences fields that can improve quality of life, such as precision surgery, immunotherapy, and genetics.
To illustrate, in the aspect of precision surgery, there has been a rise in the studies of robotics to improve surgical procedures and their corresponding surgical outcomes. Surgeons can now leverage AI or artificial intelligence tools to perform less invasive and more accurate surgical operations on their patients. On top of this, AI also offers better insight for doctors with regards to their chosen method of treatment.
5. An Increase in the Digital Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Patients
The transformation and evolution of the digital aspect of businesses have been around for centuries. All of these have set forth better access for consumers and more enhance marketing strategies for corporations. In 2021, there will definitely be an increase in the digitalization aspect of biotech through the possibility of online and remote assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients around the world.
To date, there are numerous physicians and healthcare practitioners that are accredited to continue their practice online. With companies like Virtual Health that provide wireless device assistants, virtual diagnostics are possible. Some general physicians can even prescribe medicines through their virtual clinics with their online database access via LiveHealth Online or Teladoc. Telepractice is now a developing and growing trend in the biotech world.
6. A More Value-Based Pricing of Biotech Products
There are more laws, regulations, and protocols that are passed to drive down the prices of these biotech products produced in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical laboratories. In fact, more and more companies are now showcasing real live demos of their drug efficacy. The reason for this is so the consumers can get a first-hand glimpse of the real value of these products. Doing this can actually dampen the cost of medicine; at the same time, it provides valuable evidence to the key consumers of the products.
7. More Data Management and Integration Through Cloud
Back in the beginning, data management in this area was difficult to collate, organize and interpret. But because of the new development of cloud management, it is much easier to store and handle the volume of information produced in laboratories. Now, data management professionals can organize this information, so biotech professionals can easily access, analyze, and interpret data.
8. An Improvement in the Approval Timeline of Various Drugs
In the past, critical medications were held for a long period because of the long approval process of the FDA or Food and Drug Administration. Thanks to technological advancements, government regulatory boards can now improve drug testing speed. They can do much better trials for their candidate patients, too.
A perfect illustration of this is the Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) pilot project that rally aims to accelerate the approval of drugs that are connected to the treatment of cancer.
9. Incorporate More Genetic Treatment
With the improvements in biotech, there will be an increase in using genetic information in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses, chronic diseases, and disorders. On top of that, genetic technology will help researchers and scientists identify genome sequences that can be used to predict illnesses, chronic diseases, and There will also be an increase in integrating genetic information in the assessment of chronic illnesses and treatment of disorders in both humans and animals.
Today, there are many experiments in the area of gene studies that could be used to potentially prevent the onset of diseases and other conditions that are inherited from the parents. These types of studies will continue to grow as more conditions are studied and seen to be of genetic origin.
10. More Intense Focus on Immune Cell Function
Immunity is one of the growing areas of study under the biotech branch of science because it has the power to prevent the spread of harmful diseases. Failure to address this could bring devastating results and even epidemics. Thus, there is an increase in the interest and study of the immune cell function so it can be noted what types of viruses and bacteria can be treated effectively. All of this has a big effect on the field of immunotherapy.
The above mentioned are the anticipated developments in the field of biotech as more funding and interest is granted in the research areas of technology, science, and healthcare. These improvements remind everyone that biotech is a critical part of society because it can improve lives and the welfare of people, as well as forthcoming generations.
Biotech Industry Stats and Growth Projections in 2021
1. There has been $428 billion dollars spent on meds.
This data goes to show how critical the pharma industry is when it comes to human health. Thus, policies should be implemented to lower costs without compromising efficacy so more can access them.
2. The nutraceutical division is an industry that still needs more scientific evidence.
Natural supplements abound, but they still lack proof and data to back up their claims. Scientists are needed to provide research in this category.
3. The environmental sciences sector needs public awareness and more innovations.
The issues regarding the environment are still a big problem, and biotech can have a hand in addressing this. Today, 14 billion pounds of trash is dumped into the oceans, and landfills are the main source of soil pollution. Scientific output regarding this sector must be increased to put a stop to this problem.
4. There are 1 in 6 global deaths caused by cancer.
It is sad, but cancer is a pervasive illness that has affected 16% of the population of the world. In order to take preventive measures, advancements in the area of biotech that studies this are necessary.
5. Ten percent of deaths around the globe are due to neurological disorders.
Breakthroughs in biotech like brain mapping can help improve outcomes.
6. There are many undiscovered areas in marine biology.
The deep-sea diving technology made it possible to discover marine life. However, there are still more areas of the vast ocean with its marine life that have remained untapped.
7. Genetech is credited for starting the modern biotechnology industry.
Genentech, now a subsidiary of Roche, started this industry in 1976. Their most notable discovery happened in 1978 when they genetically engineered human insulin.
8. Biotech can impact the economy and job growth.
The innovation within this field is forever evolving. Those governments that focus on this area notice an improvement in their economy and job growth. To illustrate, the state of Florida is able to support 83,000 heads under this industry.
9. The top pharma companies in the US are in New Jersey and Connecticut.
The top pharmaceutical companies within the top 10 ranks are Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, located in Groton, Connecticut, and in New Brunswick, New Jersey, respectively.
10. Investors should be careful of fraudulent biotech startups.
Theranos’ CEO Elizabeth Holmes is now battling fraud charges for failed partnerships between other companies. Thus, it is critical to know the history of biotech companies and the efficacy of their products.