All NewsBio/Pharma News
All PublicationsPharmTechPharmTech Europe
MarketplaceICH Q9 Revision: A Comprehensive Resource on Quality Risk ManagementPeer-Reviewed ResearchPharmTech ProductsPharma InsightsSponsored PodcastsSponsored VideosSponsored eBooksWhitepapers
Webcasts
All VideosAsk the ExpertBehind The HeadlinesBuy, Sell, HoldDrug Digest VideosDrug Solutions PodcastPeer ExchangeSexy ScienceTech Talk
Conference CoverageConference ListingEvents
Subscribe
AnalyticsAnalyticsAnalytics
Data and Artificial Intelligence
Dosage FormsDosage FormsDosage FormsDosage FormsDosage Forms
Drug DevelopmentDrug DevelopmentDrug DevelopmentDrug DevelopmentDrug DevelopmentDrug Development
ManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturing
OutsourcingOutsourcingOutsourcingOutsourcingOutsourcingOutsourcingOutsourcing
Quality SystemsQuality SystemsQuality SystemsQuality Systems
Spotlight -
  • Analytics
  • Dosage Forms
  • Drug Development
  • Manufacturing
  • Outsourcing
  • Quality Systems
IS1
  • Applied Clinical Trials

  • BioPharm International

  • Cannabis Science and Technology

  • Chromatography Online

  • Nutritional Outlook

  • Pharmaceutical Commerce

  • Pharmaceutical Executive

  • Pharm Tech

  • Spectroscopy Online

  • Turbo Machinery Magazine

AnalyticsAnalyticsAnalytics
Data and Artificial Intelligence
Dosage FormsDosage FormsDosage FormsDosage FormsDosage Forms
Drug DevelopmentDrug DevelopmentDrug DevelopmentDrug DevelopmentDrug DevelopmentDrug Development
ManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturingManufacturing
OutsourcingOutsourcingOutsourcingOutsourcingOutsourcingOutsourcingOutsourcing
Quality SystemsQuality SystemsQuality SystemsQuality Systems
IS1
  • Applied Clinical Trials

  • BioPharm International

  • Cannabis Science and Technology

  • Chromatography Online

  • Nutritional Outlook

  • Pharmaceutical Commerce

  • Pharmaceutical Executive

  • Pharm Tech

  • Spectroscopy Online

  • Turbo Machinery Magazine

    • Webcasts
    • Subscribe
Advertisement

News

Article

Pharmaceutical Technology's In the Lab eNewsletter

March 5, 2018

In the Lab eNewsletter

Pharmaceutical Technology\'s In the Lab eNewsletter-03-07-2018
Volume13
Issue 3

JLL Publishes Report on Trends Shaping the Labs of the Future

Author(s):

Pharmaceutical Technology Editors

JLL, a real estate and investment management firm, recently released a new report on three trends shaping labs for the future of life sciences R&D.

On Feb. 15, 2018, JLL, a real estate and investment management firm, announced the publication of a new report, Journey to the next gen lab, that discussed three trends that are shaping labs for the future of life sciences R&D. These trends include shorter R&D timelines, ongoing cost pressures, and sudden shifts in research priorities, which are driving the way labs are designed and where they are located. Flexible space and access to talent are the keys to agile R&D, according to the company.

According to the report, the average return on R&D investments among large biopharmaceutical firms has declined from 10.1% in 2010 to 3.2% in 2017. Companies are increasingly seeking collaboration and more flexible facilities to remain competitive.

"As a result of organizational cost pressures and a stronger focus on shortening the product lifecycle, R&D real estate is becoming multiuse," said Roger Humphrey, executive managing director and leader of JLL's Life Sciences group, in a company press release. "The result is a drive toward highly flexible and attractive workplaces that appeal to not only scientific, but technical, talent."

JLL uncovered three trends pointing toward the future laboratory space through interviews with 15 leading biopharmaceutical and medical device company executives: designing for flexibility and collaboration; less wet labs, more computational science space; and focus on talent recruitment and retention.

Designing for flexibility and collaboration

Because scientists are dealing with rapidly shifting research priorities, they need space that can be easily reconfigured to accommodate different kinds of research and facilitate interaction with colleagues. Mobile benches and unassigned workspaces, for example, allow for fast changes in personnel and the type of work being performed. Scientists want flexibility that allows them to finish studies as quickly as possible, according to one executive surveyed in the report.

"Behind the scenes, flexibility begins with infrastructure," Humphrey said in the press release. "For example, you can hang retractable electrical cords from the ceiling, so you're not limited to placing equipment against a wall. You can build thick floor slabs into the laboratory corridors and hide technical infrastructure behind a façade, so you can easily move people and equipment."

Less wet labs, more computational science space

Science has become increasingly integrated with data and analytics, as evidenced by the digital transformation of R&D. Wet labs, which were once the dominant space for life sciences research, are shrinking while flex space and office space for computational science are growing because scientists are spending more time analyzing data.

"A traditional R&D facility would consist of mostly lab space and a small proportion of office," Humphrey said. "In a few years, those proportions will likely shift to equal parts web labs, flex space, and office space for the data scientists."

A focus on talent recruitment and retention

JLL has noted in its annual Life Sciences Outlook report that biopharmaceutical companies have intensified their drive to be near leading academic research centers and the supportive R&D ecosystems that surround them. Despite high rents, cities like San Francisco, San Diego, and Boston continue to attract leading companies that want access to resources and talent-including laboratory scientists and the data scientists needed to work with today's voluminous data.

The need for talent is also driving a growing focus on amenities, aesthetic appeal, state-of-the-art equipment, and attention to sustainable design, according to JLL. Rather than hiding R&D space deep inside a facility, some biopharmaceutical companies are creating lab spaces on the perimeters of their facilities to showcase cutting-edge technologies and abundance of natural light.

"We're seeing a growing trend toward creating engaging, attractive labs and office workplaces," Humphrey said. "The goal is to inspire creativity and foster well-being, with natural light, rich amenities, and comfortable places for formal or informal collaboration."

Sourc: JLL

Articles in this issue

Fluid Imaging Introduces New Flow Imaging Nanoparticle Analyzer at Pittcon
Packaged LIMS Solutions
Extraction System for Rapid Sample Preparation of GC/LC Samples
JLL Publishes Report on Trends Shaping the Labs of the Future
Bruker Highlights Analytical Solutions and Systems at Pittcon
Advanced UHPLC Systems Enhance Lab Productivity

Newsletter

Get the essential updates shaping the future of pharma manufacturing and compliance—subscribe today to Pharmaceutical Technology and never miss a breakthrough.

Subscribe Now!
Related Videos
Understanding the Operational Impacts of the 15% US-EU Pharma Tariff Cap
Dave Miller, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, AustinPx
Related Content
Advertisement
B. Braun - german medical technology company, Czech branch | Image Credit: © Solarisys - stock.adobe.com
August 22nd 2025

B. Braun Medical Voluntarily Recalls Two Injections, Citing Presence of Particulate Matter

Patrick Lavery
Drug Solutions Podcast: Growth and Advancements in Fill/Finish
August 22nd 2025

Drug Solutions Podcast: Growth and Advancements in Fill/Finish

Felicity Thomas
Science laboratory test tubes, laboratory equipment | Image Credit: © BillionPhotos.com - © BillionPhotos.com - stock.adobe.com
August 22nd 2025

Johnson & Johnson Invests $2 Billion into North Carolina Facility

Susan Haigney
Drug Solutions Podcast: A Closer Look at mRNA in Oncology and Vaccines
August 22nd 2025

Drug Solutions Podcast: A Closer Look at mRNA in Oncology and Vaccines

Feliza Mirasol
Bio/Pharma's Tariff Response: Key Insights from Industry Survey Results
August 22nd 2025

Bio/Pharma's Tariff Response: Key Insights from Industry Survey Results

Christopher Cole
Mitragyna speciosa or kratom leaves with medicinal products in capsules and powder in white ceramic bowl and wooden table, top view | Image Credit: ©Yanawut Suntornkij - stock.adobe.com
August 22nd 2025

Kratom and the Impact of 7-OH Reclassification

Susan Haigney
Related Content
Advertisement
B. Braun - german medical technology company, Czech branch | Image Credit: © Solarisys - stock.adobe.com
August 22nd 2025

B. Braun Medical Voluntarily Recalls Two Injections, Citing Presence of Particulate Matter

Patrick Lavery
Drug Solutions Podcast: Growth and Advancements in Fill/Finish
August 22nd 2025

Drug Solutions Podcast: Growth and Advancements in Fill/Finish

Felicity Thomas
Science laboratory test tubes, laboratory equipment | Image Credit: © BillionPhotos.com - © BillionPhotos.com - stock.adobe.com
August 22nd 2025

Johnson & Johnson Invests $2 Billion into North Carolina Facility

Susan Haigney
Drug Solutions Podcast: A Closer Look at mRNA in Oncology and Vaccines
August 22nd 2025

Drug Solutions Podcast: A Closer Look at mRNA in Oncology and Vaccines

Feliza Mirasol
Bio/Pharma's Tariff Response: Key Insights from Industry Survey Results
August 22nd 2025

Bio/Pharma's Tariff Response: Key Insights from Industry Survey Results

Christopher Cole
Mitragyna speciosa or kratom leaves with medicinal products in capsules and powder in white ceramic bowl and wooden table, top view | Image Credit: ©Yanawut Suntornkij - stock.adobe.com
August 22nd 2025

Kratom and the Impact of 7-OH Reclassification

Susan Haigney
About Us
Advertise
Contact Us
Editorial Info
Editorial Advisory Board
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
Contact Info

2 Commerce Drive
Cranbury, NJ 08512

609-716-7777

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.