For decades, the development of drugs followed a one-size-fits-all approach. Although this method provided medicine that worked for a significant portion of the population, it overlooked unique biological differences. This is where the need for patient-centric medicine – a treatment tailored to a patient’s individual characteristics – emerged.
The industry is recognising this change: since 2020, personalised medicine has made up more than 30% of molecular entities approved by FDA. The global personalised medicine market was valued at $572.93 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to $1264.67 billion by 2034. New discoveries are also being made every day – this year, gene therapy has allowed to renew the ability of cells of patients with alpha thalassemia major to produce hemoglobin. As a result, more and more industry events, such as Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Packaging Congress, are inviting experts to speak on the topic and offer practical solutions to accelerate the adoption of this transformative approach. All of this proves that personalised treatments have become a promising field for pharmaceutics.
Where progress meets challenges
However, with the new opportunities rise complex issues. The growth of personalised medicine demands a transformation of the supply chain. To ensure the treatment reaches the correct patient, the entire logistics network must prioritise precision and traceability. The solution involves comprehensive end-to-end tracking, specialised packaging, rigorous temperature control (sometimes as low as -150°C) and more complex customs procedures.
Another challenge rises in producing such medicines. As the materials are patients’ unique cells, the manufacturers will need to move away from large batch production to a smaller one. All of this creates major problems: it is reported that companies are struggling to produce personalised medicine due to the timely delivery, taking six to twelve weeks or more. Another barrier is the high cost of this process. According to Ori Biotech, a major leader in cell and gene therapy, it takes between $1 billion and $2 billion to bring a single patient centric product to market. The lack of manufacturing capacity is evident with CAR–T cell therapies – only 20% of patients have access to these treatments in the USA. Currently, the industry is on the call to solve these challenges.
Innovations on the horizon
To overcome the obstacles, companies are adopting a digital approach focused on logistics, manufacturing and regulation.
AppliedMaterials has developed an instrument called SmartFactory Rx. This technology is aimed at optimising production and managing large problem sizes. It allows operators to see critical information in real time and can be used by dozens of people simultaneously.
Another solution is being offered by an automation developer – COPA-DATA – they have designed a software platform called zenon that has been made with modern pharmaceutical operations in mind. It allows operators to track products, manage recipes and generate comprehensive reports. The software is compatible with IEC 62443 industrial safety standard, protecting confidentiality of the patient’s genetic information.
A major role in production of personalised medicine plays 3D printing technology. It enables the customisation of treatments based on patients’ needs. This technology is already being implemented in hospitals all over Europe. In 2025, the Maasstad Ziekenhuis in Rotterdam has installed a specialised 3D printer, developed by Erasmus MC and TNO, to advance patient-specific treatments from research into clinical practice.
PHARMAP 2026: expert insights to solve pharma challenges
While solutions like these are being developed, the question of integrating such technologies remains. Connecting the industry to discuss concrete steps towards implementation is one of the goals of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Packaging Congress 2026.
Bringing together 200+ companies, from pharma giants to service providers, the event offers a dedicated platform for two days of networking and knowledge sharing. This year’s extensive business programme includes topics like digitalisation, outsourcing, sustainability, supply chain optimisation and extended with patient-centric medicine.
The Congress hosts a session on operational efficiency in pharmaceutical manufacturing – a critical aspect for personalised treatments. Experts from Belupo, MolAquaTech and others share their knowledge based on a real life case or company’s technology.
PHARMAP 2026 also dedicates a roundtable to patient-centric packaging. Participants discuss packaging quality, relationship with authoritative rules, design for low-literacy markets, elderly and chronic patients, as well as how digital interfaces change monitoring. Among the speakers on the session is Karel van der Waarde from Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. His research addresses the need to improve medicine labels, ensuring they deliver essential information effectively to patients and caregivers.
Building the future of personalised pharma
These global efforts show a positive trend in adaptation of patient-centric medicine. The future of such treatments hinges on operational excellence, where new technologies, advanced manufacturing, reliable packaging and secure logistics go hand in hand. This is exactly the seamless ecosystem that PHARMAP 2026 aims to accelerate. Taking place in Amsterdam on 20-21 April, the event provides the framework for implementing digital solutions, optimising the existing processes and fostering the collaborative work of companies. This helps pharmaceutics to find strategies for current challenges that stay in the way of reliably delivering personalised treatments to patients around the world.