Pharma 5.0: How ALTEN accelerates digital transformation to cut time to market
The pharmaceutical industry faces a critical challenge: bringing life-saving treatments to market faster without compromising quality. Digital transformation powered by AI is reshaping how pharma companies operate, from clinical trials to quality control.
For François Portier, Digital Transformation and Industrial Excellence Expert at ALTEN, the shift is clear: “Today, AI isn’t just an option; it’s the key to unlocking efficiency and innovation in pharma.“
But how can AI bridge the gap between data overload and actionable insights and what role does ALTEN play in this transition?
The pharma industry’s digital dilemma
Pharma’s traditional processes reliant on manual documentation, siloed data, and human monitoring are no longer sustainable. 75% of pharma companies are small enterprises, many still using pen-and-paper systems. Meanwhile, larger firms struggle to integrate AI into existing workflows.
Key pain points:
- Time-consuming compliance: Certification and deviation report often start from scratch, delaying critical decisions.
- Inefficient quality control: Manual inspections (e.g., visual checks for bottle defects) are slow and prone to error.
- Data underutilisation: Historically, 70% of pharma data went unused until AI made it actionable.
“Five years ago, we focused on automation, today, we’re deploying customized and flexible processes with AI solutions.“ notes François Portier.
ALTEN’s approach: AI as a Business accelerator
ALTEN collaborates with partners and customers to deploy AI where it matters most: reducing time to market while ensuring compliance and quality.
Generative AI is reshaping how pharmaceutical engineers handle documentation. By auto-filling templates with historical data, it cuts report drafting time from two hours to just 20 minutes, while automating compliance checks and flagging regulatory gaps instantly.
“AI doesn’t replace expertise, it enhances it.” notes François Portier: engineers stay focused on high-value decisions while AI handles the rest.
On the production floor, computer vision detects defects in real time with greater accuracy than manual inspection. Predictive analytics then simulates clinical trial parameters to reduce failure risks before testing begins.
“With only 14% of trials reaching success, AI helps prioritise the most promising paths,” François Portier emphasises.
ALTEN tailors its approach to each organisation’s level of digital maturity. Smaller firms begin with data digitisation using no-code tools, while larger enterprises deploy agentic AI to unify operational and IT data. There is no single model: the right solution depends on where a company stands today and where it needs to go.
The human-AI partnership: skills for the future
AI’s rise doesn’t diminish human roles, it redefines them. ALTEN emphasises upskilling teams to:
- Combine hard skills (e.g., IoT/robotics programming) with industry knowledge.
- Develop soft skills like problem-solving and project ownership. “The future engineer is strategic, not just technical,” François Portier asserts.
For pharma, the message is clear, AI isn’t a threat, it’s the tool to deliver treatments faster, safer and smarter, and even customized for the patient.
About our expert
François Portier
Digital Transformation & Industrial Excellence Expert at ALTEN France
François Portier drives AI-powered innovation in pharma, helping companies reduce time to market while ensuring quality and compliance. With expertise in generative AI, computer vision, and predictive analytics, he tailors solutions to each organization’s digital maturity, from low-code tools for small firms to agentic AI for large enterprises.
A firm believer in human-AI collaboration, François focuses on upskilling teams to blend technical skills with strategic thinking.
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