Integrated Digital Workflow Essential in 2026

After a year of change that included geopolitical shake ups, tariffs, and travel restrictions, André Cerbe, CEO of Schlafender Hase, sees artificial intelligence (AI) and digital workflows as tools for pharmaceutical manufacturers to be successful in 2026.

“I think it's important to mention that the pharmaceutical industry hasn’t had the easiest year, but what we've seen with our customer base is a strive for digitalization,” Cerbe says. “Some who have not digitalized their current workflow are already looking into AI.”

Cerbe says an end-to-end workflow, especially within regulatory departments, creates a more robust, agile landscape that support both the company and the greater pharmaceutical industry.

“While in the past, many projects have been a bit siloed,” explains Cerbe. “I see more and more integration of different tools, regulatory information management systems, artwork management systems, and other tools like proofreading tools or medical writing tools and research tools. A lot of pharmaceutical companies and regulatory departments are asking whether they should look for a one size fits all solution, or should they go with best-in-class providers for different segments? My recommendation is to find the best [tools] in class, integrate them well across the work stream, and reuse a lot of these things available in the industry to your best knowledge and with the best technology, because digitalization across countries, across different sites and time zones, is so important. [Digitalization is] facilitated by well-integrated workflows, and software frees up a lot of capacity within regulatory departments and speeds up time to market.”

About the interviewee

André Cerbe is Managing Director of Schlafender Hase. He brings extensive experience in MedTech, Healthcare, and Private Equity to the business and has a proven track record of successfully developing and growing companies. Previous roles include investment director at Westlake Partners, Managing Director at AURA Health technologies and Managing Director at SOMATEX Medical Technologies where his strategic vision played a pivotal role in steering these organizations towards sustained success.