Bayer is Transforming Finland’s Pharmaceutical Landscape

Bayer is a life science company, operating in the areas of health and nutrition. The company has invested nearly one billion euros in Finland over the past decade and employs approximately 1,000 people across the country. It hosts one of Bayer’s significant pharmaceutical production sites, and exports contraceptives, developed and manufactured in Finland to over 130 countries worldwide.

Bayer conducts research and development in Turku and Espoo, leading dozens of international clinical trials.  These commitments underscore Bayer’s focus on innovation and its belief in the growth potential of the health sector in Finland.

Bayer is actively engaged in the LifeFactFuture program, a groundbreaking consortium dedicated to enhancing pharmaceutical and life science manufacturing in Finland.

Building a Competitive Future

Tomi Penttilä, Head of Supply Center Turku, underscores Finland’s robust innovation ecosystem and its reputation for technological excellence. “Cooperation programs like LifeFactFuture create a foundation for future competitiveness and strengthen Finland’s attractiveness as an investment destination,” he states.

Penttilä highlights Bayer’s focus on transitioning from manual processes to automation that centres on people. By leveraging advanced data analysis, the aim is to improve production efficiency, positioning Bayer a leader in data-driven decision-making within the pharmaceutical industry.

Empowering Human Capabilities

Sara Gambier, Program Lead at Bayer Pharma Product Supply Digital Transformation & IT, highlights the importance of human capabilities in digital transformation. “Agility and digital transformation start with human capabilities to challenge the status quo. This means wanting to change the way we work, allocating time and resources for continuous improvement rather than consuming them on repetitive performance. People are still needed to lead the processes enabled by immersive technologies.” she explains.

Gambier’s co-innovation program aims to enhance employee skills in using immersive technology, shifting the manufacturing approach from a push to a pull model. This initiative not only prepares employees for future needs but also incorporates digital strategy into Bayer’s overall business plan, helping them adapt to changes in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.

Enhancing Production Processes

Manufacturing Lead Juha-Pekka Pausio believes that integrating new technologies will significantly enhance Bayer’s operational efficiency. “New technologies and holistic data utilization enable us to reduce inefficiencies and anticipate anomalies in our production processes,” he says.

Pausio envisions that these advancements will not only accelerate digital transformation but also improve the quality of products delivered to customers. By fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making, Bayer aims to maintain its competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industry.

Bayer’s collaborative efforts show its commitment to innovation and sustainability, including the LifeFactFuture project and other initiatives. By engaging with partners and leveraging the strengths of the broader ecosystem, Bayer enhances the effectiveness of its endeavours. This teamwork is vital as Bayer plays a significant role in advancing Finland’s pharmaceutical landscape, paving the way for a promising future in the industry. Through these partnerships, Bayer cultivates an environment where collective knowledge and expertise lead to impactful progress and innovation.

LFF project kick-off took place on 27 May 2024 at Bayer Turku.