Top 10 Biotechnology trends

Author: Abhay Reddy

1. CRISPR Gene Editing is one of the most exciting technologies in biotech and pharma. It’s a technique by which genomes of living organisms can be modified precisely, cheaply, and easily. It can be used for the creation of new medicines, agricultural products, and even genetically modified organisms.

2. Personalized medicine: Traditional drugs follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Trials are used to establish which formula is the most beneficial to the widest segment of society. Remember that half of any drug advert goes towards listing the risks for the rest. With the advent of modern genomics, it’s possible to formulate medicines that are tailor-made to an individual’s unique DNA makeup. The cost of sequencing has drastically fallen from $2.7 billion a decade ago to just under $200 today. Analyzing DNA patterns makes it easier to identify the likelihood of diseases in a population segment, make early diagnoses and create targeted treatment plans. The FDA approved the first-ever gene therapy (Kymriah, 2017) that uses a patient’s own white blood cells to treat acute lymphatic leukemia.

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3. AI/ML (Artificial Learning & Machine Learning): The ability of machines to learn and act intelligently making it possible to automate complex tasks that were long thought of as impractical for machines to perform. AI has helped Bio-Tech and Pharma companies to expand the scope and scale of their research by analyzing large data sets and reducing the time to market for new drugs. It helps companies develop personalized medicines that are tailor-made to individuals. Accenture calculates that by 2026, AI alone could save U.S. healthcare $150 billion annually. [Source]
4. Cloud computing: Cloud computing refers to the availability of on-demand computing resources (storage, content, database, security, processing power, and analytics) that can be accessed from any authorized device through the internet. This could be AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, or similar providers. Cloud computing has helped remove barriers to many innovations in biotech by allowing companies to store, run applications and analyze data without installing expensive data centers. This helps free up resources and capital for both start-ups and larger companies while enhancing collaboration.

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5. Big Data: Refers to the exponential amount of data that is being generated by the ever-increasing number of smart devices. Realizing the full potential of technological advances requires highly advanced AI-fueled techniques to analyze and make sense of the data. Biotech and pharma use ‘big data’ to collect, process, and analyze a large amount of data to glean precise insights and develop targeted treatment options.

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6. Intelligent Edge and Edge Computing: Intelligent edge refers to aggregation, analysis, and processing of data close to where it was captured in the network (on-premises system). Intelligent edge uses edge computing to reduce response times, and bandwidth usage and takes care of security needs. An intelligent system is an advanced computing architecture that can gather, analyze, and respond to the data it collects from its surrounding environment. It can also work and communicate with other devices in the network to gather insights and adapt accordingly. Examples are abound in the medical industry: wearables (smartwatches, glucose monitoring), healthcare (surgery robots, remote patient monitoring, virtual application management, and autonomous pattern detection).

7. Bioprinting uses special 3D like printing techniques to print organs or biomaterials by using cells, growth factors, and tissues as raw materials. Bioprinting can utilize a layer-by-layer approach to deposit materials known as bio-inks to create functional tissue structures. These artificially generated products are used in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, drug discovery, and the food industry.

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8. Anti Aging: You heard it. There are many institutions and companies researching medicines to reverse the effects of aging on the body. This is a heavily funded field. Researchers were recently able to reverse aging in human cells by 30 years [Source]. This field is of particular interest as aging is generally associated with many illnesses/diseases such as brittle bones, weaker muscles, and cardiovascular diseases. The key here is to reverse the aging process safely and effectively in older people without side effects. Another approach is to look at existing medicines and see if they can tackle aging. Some examples include Rapamycin, an immunosuppressive when taken in low doses has been found to extend the lifespan of mice by 15%. It slows the aging process by inhibiting the mTOR protein. Another drug, Metformin, a type 2 diabetes drug, was found to lower rates of death and illness in patients by suppressing inflammation caused by senescent cells. 

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9. Expedited Drug Approval Timeline. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has a preeminent role in drug development, trials, and approvals. This approval process takes on average 8 years. The stock of pharma and bio-tech companies awaiting approval can greatly fluctuate depending on an approval or denial. The search for a COVID vaccine has forced the scientific community to consider new ways of developing vaccines, and an unprecedented public-private partnership has emerged to pool resources and use technological advancements that has resulted in faster vaccines and drug approvals.
10. Artificial Meat: The development of new cultured meat presents an alternative to conventional food. The meat is made from adult stem cells of live animals. It has the potential to revolutionize the livestock industry. The shift could also have environmental benefits by not only reducing methane emissions but also decreasing the use of water and land by over 95%. Singapore was the first country to approve the sale of cultured meat products in 2020.  

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