San Diego, Calif. – A newly released report by Ascential Medical & Life Sciences is casting a sharp light on the complex and evolving landscape of medical and life sciences manufacturing.
Titled “Automate, Innovate, Adapt: The 2025 State of Medical & Life Sciences Manufacturing,” the report combines exclusive survey data with expert commentary to outline the industry’s most pressing challenges and emerging opportunities—from regulatory bottlenecks to automation hurdles and shifting supply chain dynamics.
Based in San Diego, Ascential Medical & Life Sciences is a leader in comprehensive commercialization services for medical and life science devices. The company’s latest report, published April 2, offers a strategic look at how manufacturers can chart a path forward amid economic uncertainty, workforce challenges, and rapid technological advancement.
“The medical and life sciences manufacturing sector is at the forefront of global healthcare innovation,” said Anupam Girdhar, CEO of Ascential Medical & Life Sciences. “As it continues to evolve, companies must learn to navigate a complex landscape of supply chain disruptions, ongoing technological advancements, and increasing regulatory demands.”
Key Findings: Automation on the Rise, But Not Fully Integrated
According to the report’s survey data, 69% of medical and life sciences manufacturers have adopted some form of automation. However, only 9% have succeeded in fully integrating automation across their operations—a revealing gap that underscores the challenges of scaling digital transformation within highly regulated environments.
The survey also highlights that 42% of respondents cite regulatory compliance as the top obstacle to commercializing medical products, pointing to a growing burden of navigating approval pathways and global standards.
Additionally, 31% of respondents identified personalized medicine as the most difficult manufacturing trend of 2025, reflecting concerns over how to scale production while tailoring devices and treatments to individual patients.
Reshoring Ambitions Meet Economic Reality
Amid ongoing global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions, manufacturers continue to explore reshoring. However, the report reveals that 56% of respondents see high labor and operational costs as major barriers to bringing production back home.
Rather than full-scale reshoring, the report suggests a more nuanced strategy: regional supply chains. A nearshoring approach—placing operations closer to customer hubs—offers a potential middle ground between cost control and risk mitigation.
Opportunities: Tailored Automation, Strategic Collaboration
The report goes beyond diagnosing industry pain points; it offers prescriptive insights and best practices. Ascential’s analysts recommend a combination of technology evaluation, scalability planning, and continuous improvement as essential for overcoming commercialization hurdles.
“Medical and life sciences companies can embrace automation at their own pace with highly tailored solutions,” the report notes, emphasizing the need for flexible, scalable strategies that align with each company’s readiness and resources.
The Road Ahead
Ascential’s report positions adaptability and innovation as the cornerstones of future industry success. It calls on leaders to not only adopt new technologies but also rethink their approach to collaboration, regulation, and supply chain management.
“With this, we’ve incorporated key opportunities and actionable takeaways and best practices into the report,” said Girdhar. “The companies that embrace change and prioritize strategic partnerships will define the next era of medical and life sciences manufacturing.”
The full report, Automate, Innovate, Adapt: The 2025 State of Medical & Life Sciences Manufacturing, is available now from Ascential Medical & Life Sciences and is intended as a resource for professionals across R&D, operations, regulatory affairs, and executive leadership.
