Overcoming Challenges in North Carolina’s Biotechnology Sector: Strategies for Enhancing Manufacturing Capacity and Attracting Talent

The biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry is a key part of North Carolina’s biotechnology economy. There are 108 manufacturing sites in the state, and over 32,000 people work in this area. The industry has grown fast, adding nearly 6,200 new jobs and attracting $7.6 billion in investments between 2020 and 2022. However, there is still a major problem with manufacturing capacity.

One big challenge is that companies find it hard to produce enough biotech products quickly to meet growing global demand. Novonesis, a North Carolina company that runs the largest multi-purpose enzyme manufacturing plant in Franklinton, has said they cannot make products fast enough. This is especially true considering the world’s population is expected to grow by two billion people by 2050.

Bringing more manufacturing back to the U.S. adds to the difficulty. Leaders like Milczek, who used to manage at Curie Co., say building new plants depends a lot on getting new resources and infrastructure. Building these facilities takes time and needs steady investments in buildings, technology, and skilled workers.

For medical practice administrators and operations managers working with biotech firms or relying on biotech advances, these manufacturing limits could affect the supply chains for products like enzyme therapies, diagnostic tests, and biologics. Knowing about the manufacturing situation in North Carolina can help in planning purchases and partnerships.

Workforce Shortages and Talent Development

North Carolina’s biotechnology and biopharmaceutical manufacturing sectors are growing, but there is a serious shortage of skilled workers. The 2023 “Window on the Workplace” report says the industry will need at least 8,000 more workers by the end of 2026. Right now, 32,000 people work in the sector. The average salary is $92,652, but most new jobs are entry-level, paying about $51,142 a year, and require training.

The high turnover rate, about 13.4%, makes the shortage worse. Training programs for the future workforce are full or have uneven enrollment. Many colleges and universities offering biomanufacturing classes are at capacity, while some have fewer students than expected. This shows the need to improve outreach and awareness about these programs.

North Carolina uses partnerships between public and private groups along with programs like BioWork to connect students and new workers to biotech jobs. These programs offer hands-on learning. Cooperation between schools and companies is important to train workers, especially as the industry spreads across the state.

Leaders say that fixing workforce problems is not just about hiring people but also about creating a diverse and fair workplace. Policymakers, trainers, and employers are encouraged to focus on diversity to keep the industry growing and competitive.

Some companies have had success hiring people with community college degrees. In some cases, graduates of two-year programs have shown strong skills in lab work and manufacturing operations. This shows the importance of expanding training for technicians and specialists at different education levels.

For IT managers and administrators in medical practices, these workforce changes matter indirectly. A strong biotech manufacturing sector helps innovation that benefits clinics. This includes new therapies and better diagnostic tools. A trained biomanufacturing workforce can also lead to steady prices and reliable supplies of biotech products used in healthcare.

Regional Collaboration and Infrastructure Investment

North Carolina’s biotech sector benefits from cooperation between companies, schools, and government agencies. Groups like the N.C. Biotechnology Center, NCLifeSci, universities, community colleges, and biotech firms work together to get grants and build infrastructure for growth.

This teamwork is needed to build the labs, factories, and research centers needed for more manufacturing capacity. It also helps develop rules so biotech companies can work well and create new things faster.

The state’s focus is not only on individual companies but also on creating a good environment for big manufacturing growth. This approach shows that workforce, infrastructure, and policies need to work together to solve industry problems.

AI and Automation: Enhancing Manufacturing and Workflow Efficiency in Biotechnology

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation are becoming more important in dealing with worker shortages and improving manufacturing in North Carolina’s biotech sector. These tools help increase production, make workflows smoother, and improve quality and speed.

AI helps optimize manufacturing processes. AI systems can watch biochemical reactions in real time and predict or fix problems that might disrupt production. This reduces waste and improves product yields without needing more workers. Automated systems also do repetitive tasks, letting skilled workers focus on harder problems.

Medical practice administrators and IT managers might see the benefits of AI beyond manufacturing. For example, AI-powered phone systems can handle many calls fast. This helps reduce staff stress, improve patient scheduling, and let office workers do more important tasks.

AI can also predict when machines need maintenance and improve quality control. These improvements cut costs and make sure biotech products needed by healthcare providers are always available.

Training workers to use AI and automation is very important. As AI use grows, companies want employees who can work with new technologies. Training programs need to teach digital skills, machine learning, and data analysis.

Addressing Workforce Diversity and Inclusion

North Carolina’s biotech sector also needs a workforce that is more diverse and fair. The 2023 report said training and hiring should open doors to more groups, especially in manufacturing jobs.

Finding workers from many backgrounds and building workplaces where everyone feels included can help keep workers longer and bring different ideas to problem-solving. Medical leaders who work with diverse patients and staff can see why inclusion is important.

Policy makers and industry leaders are asked to support education access for underrepresented groups and expand training programs across the state. These efforts help build the workforce and also improve North Carolina’s image as a business-friendly state that cares about fairness.

Implications for Medical Practice Administrators, Owners, and IT Managers

Growth and challenges in North Carolina’s biotech manufacturing affect healthcare administrators and IT managers in several ways.

• Biotech products like new enzymes, biologics, and diagnostic tests need strong supply chains. Limits in manufacturing capacity and worker shortages might delay these products or make them more expensive. Medical practices depending on biotech should plan for possible supply problems and talk often with suppliers about manufacturing issues.
• As AI and automation grow in manufacturing, healthcare providers can adopt similar tools. AI phone systems and other tech can help offices manage patient communication better and improve care coordination. This reduces administrative work and makes patients happier.
• The focus on workforce training and inclusion in biotech suggests healthcare groups can also benefit from training staff and promoting diversity. Cooperation between healthcare and educational groups can help build workers skilled in healthcare and technology.

North Carolina’s biotech sector remains an important part of the U.S. life sciences economy. Continuing to build manufacturing capacity, train a skilled and diverse workforce, invest in infrastructure, and use AI and automation will shape how well this sector meets future needs. For healthcare administrators and technology managers, keeping up with these changes helps with planning and staying ready.