May 29, 2020 -- Honeywell has released Fast Track Automation, a series of technologies for the life sciences industry. The system will allow vaccines, treatments, and therapies to move from regulatory approval to full production in as little as two months, according to the firm.
Fast Track Automation incorporates process automation that can be configured in a virtual environment and rapidly implemented for production. The technology was developed in response to COVID-19 and the need to accelerate drug development.
As clinical trials near completion, life science manufacturers will need to rapidly pivot and scale up production to meet demands that are likely to exceed existing technology infrastructures.
The system uses the cloud, virtualization, batch software running in the controller, flexible assignment of computing power, remote asset management from a data center, and efficient, fast-track lean project implementation. It prepares manufacturing automation designs in parallel with clinical trials to ensure production is ready to go once a medical therapy is approved.