Communication breakdown: Why soft skills are more important than ever in life sciences
We all know or work with people who can be difficult to deal with and even talk to, and we all know or work with other people who are a joy to be around and who make the working day a little brighter. Some of those difficult people will be highly competent in their field; their technical knowledge will be deeper than most - and they will know it.
Surface disinfection
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains one of the greatest global health threats of our time. According to the World Health Organization, antibiotic-resistant infections are directly responsible for an estimated 1.27m deaths globally every year, and data from the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) Project forecasts 39m deaths between 2025 and 2050, if decisive action isn’t taken.
What startups in digital chemistry need to know about intellectual property
From drug discovery to advanced materials, digital technologies are redefining how innovation happens. In digital chemistry, chemical databases and predictive models are often key company assets. Effective protection of such assets requires a thoughtful and multi-layered IP strategy.
Comment: Are AI-designed molecules patentable?
Artificial intelligence is changing the way new molecules and materials are discovered, from pharmaceuticals to materials, enabling rapid screening and exploration of large design spaces. These advances bring new challenges for intellectual property strategy. In this article, we investigate how patent systems handle innovations where AI plays a pivotal role, and how that might impact IP strategies.
Comment: Prioritise TCO when making equipment investment decisions
When making any investment decision, particularly when purchasing high-value processing equipment, capital cost is usually one of the first things to be considered. But a far more accurate metric is actually the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) or Total Expenditure (totex). This applies as much to heat exchangers and thermal processing systems as any other equipment.
Comment: Updating EU CLP
In 2025, recognition of widespread ‘hidden hazards’, from PFAS to dust, led experts to emphasise that a ‘bare minimum’ approach to chemical management is more than reckless, it’s a fatal oversight.
Empowering genomic breakthroughs
Faster, safer and smarter tools accelerate scientific discovery. As of June 2025, a new initiative, SynHG (synthetic Human Genome), aims to develop scalable tools and technologies for synthesising human genomes. This five-year research project marks a bold step forward in genomics.
How to use AI responsibly
In regulated industries, the promise of AI is huge – faster decisions, deeper insights, greater efficiency. But so are the risks. Mission-critical applications demand more than cutting-edge algorithms or powerful models. They require responsible intelligence. AI that is auditable, explainable and aligned with regulatory standards from day one. That’s only possible when human expertise and AI innovation are brought together by design, not as an afterthought.
Comment: Antibiotic availability
A new independent study, sponsored by healthcare company Viatris, Securing access, improving lives. Strengthening patients’ access to off-patent medicines in Europe, investigates the reasons behind the increasing unavailability of medicines, focusing on antibiotics.
Rethinking labelling for hazardous goods
When transporting hazardous and dangerous goods, there’s an assumption that compliance takes care of itself: once a label is printed and placed on a barrel or container, the job is done. In reality, the process goes far beyond this. Every day, thousands of drums, canisters and bulk containers move across borders, oceans and industries, many carrying substances that pose significant risks to health, safety and the environment.