Could you introduce Apprentice.io and its main operations in 2022?

Our platform, the Tempo Manufacturing Cloud, is designed to meet the needs of modern manufacturing, whether the approach is internal or external, and for any type of molecule. In addition to the Tempo Manufacturing Execution System, our platform has a new product called the Connected Manufacturing Network, which links all manufacturing teams, allowing easy access to all manufacturing data regardless of where it is being produced. We are proud to be named the 60th fastest-growing software company on The Inc. 5,000 ranking list, a testament to the pressing need for new technology in the life sciences industry. With our last round of investment, we raised over US$200 million, which we have invested in our product and team. As the industry undergoes significant changes, both in terms of molecule types and manufacturing strategies, we will build a platform with the most innovative technologies that will help our customers evolve to meet the change. Ultimately, we believe that our platform can make a real difference in the lives of patients and their families, and we are grateful to be in a position to help shape the future of the industry.

How do you answer the challenge of accelerating the delivery of medicines to patients?

We have been focused on accelerating the process of bringing a therapeutic product from preclinical to clinical to commercial stages and scaling it up for global distribution. We believe that manufacturing can gather speed through digital means, by connecting preclinical, clinical, and commercial teams with contract manufacturers through shared platforms like Apprentice.io. With this platform, data can be automatically transferred through each stage of the product lifecycle, allowing for seamless tech transfer and scaling of the therapeutic as it moves towards larger patient populations. Our goal is to streamline the process of taking a newly discovered product and quickly bringing it to market through efficient manufacturing practices, ultimately allowing us to reach and benefit more patients around the world.

What are the digitalization trends you forecast for the Pharma 4.0 framework?

Our perspective is different. Rather than replacing human workers in manufacturing, we believe in empowering them with smarter technology. This is why we named our company "Apprentice" to serve as a digital assistant for operators, scientists, and engineers. Our intelligent tool is designed to support skilled, thoughtful, and hardworking people in manufacturing, enabling better decisions and faster release of batches to patients. Then our strategy is to first support humans, not replace them. We aim to automate aspects of the process where humans are not needed. Our manufacturing and laboratory execution systems are designed to provide tools to enhance human performance, while digital control systems handle automated tasks. The final goal is to allow humans to focus on what they do best, bringing creativity and specialization to the industry.

Could you provide an analysis of the adoption of cloud-based platforms, machine learning, and AI in the life sciences industry?

Our platform is built entirely on the cloud, and we have remained committed to this approach since our company's inception in 2014. We believe that employing cloud-native technology can enable broader and more sophisticated deployments, which is crucial for the machine learning and AI future that we are moving towards. By having a connected network of data and utilizing cloud-based tools, we can empower this future. Since 2018, we have seen huge growth, which we attribute directly to our exclusive focus on cloud-based deployments.

What are the growth plans and key objectives for Apprentice.io from 2023 onwards?

We are very excited about the recent launch of our new product Connected Manufacturing Network. We expect to elevate manufacturing strategy from the shop floor to the enterprise level and create a connected network of all manufacturing teams, both internally and externally at their contract manufacturers or CDMOs. By doing so, we can greatly enhance the manufacturing process and ultimately get drugs to patients faster, which is the ultimate goal and motivation for everyone in the industry. We are thrilled to bring this product to the market and work with our customers to scale it and accelerate the scientific breakthroughs that can benefit patients in need.