As biopharma innovation gathers pace, the industry faces rising expectations around quality, safety and regulatory assurance. Advanced therapies, including cell and gene treatments, RNA-based medicines and next-generation biologics, are transforming development pathways while adding new layers of scientific and regulatory complexity. 

In this environment, strong scientific leadership and integrated expertise are no longer optional, they are essential to managing risk and sustaining innovation. In response, SGS is strengthening scientific leadership across its global bioanalysis, chemistry and regulatory networks, enabling biopharma companies to progress complex programmes with confidence.

In this Q&A, Liên-Anh Tran, Group Vice President for Pharma, Cosmetics & Personal Care, outlines how SGS is supporting quality, safety and scientific assurance across the full biopharma lifecycle.

How is SGS supporting quality and safety in complex biopharma?

Innovation in biopharma continues to accelerate, with new therapeutics being developed and made accessible to patients around the world. However, these new modalities can come with their share of complexity – new molecules, new targets, new delivery systems, etc. With such complex therapies, it is imperative to assess and control any risk to product quality and patient safety. 

At SGS Pharma, our role is to help our biopharma clients manage that complexity – including regulatory compliance – with confidence. We support product quality, clinical efficacy and patient safety across the full drug development lifecycle — offering bioanalysis, biosafety, and GMP testing services under one SGS global quality system. Our SGS Vitrology specialist Team in Glasgow are a good example of how we help our clients develop new biotherapeutics, vaccines, cell & gene therapies, while ensuring regulatory compliance and patient impact.

What makes SGS’s scientific and regulatory expertise unique?

Our strength at SGS Pharma is about combining our scientific and technical expertise with a deep knowledge of regulatory requirements (GLP, GCP, GMP). We don’t see analytical testing as a standalone activity – we see this as part of a broader drug development, testing and compliance strategy. 

Across the SGS global network, our scientists work closely with regulatory experts to anticipate expectations from authorities such as the FDA and EMA. This integrated approach allows us to support clients not just with high-quality data, but with insight into how that data will stand up to regulatory scrutiny, which is increasingly critical in novel and accelerated development pathways. 

How does SGS’s global network enhance client collaboration and innovation?

At SGS, our differentiator is the combination of scientific depth and a genuinely collaborative approach. We’re big enough to support global programs, but local enough to stay close to our clients and adapt quickly to their needs. Whether it’s with established pharma companies or emerging biotechs, collaboration helps us stay ahead of scientific trends and ensures we’re contributing meaningfully to our clients’ development strategies. 

Innovation is essential to our and our clients’ success. For us, innovation is about continuously advancing our technical capabilities and bringing in expertise that can address the next wave of therapeutic challenges. At SGS, innovation is very much about the people and their unique experience. They’re absolutely central. 

How does SGS stay ahead of emerging trends in biopharma?

SGS stays ahead in biopharma by staying closely connected to both science and industry. We invest early in new technologies and capabilities, keep a close eye on evolving regulations, and collaborate with biopharma partners from early development through commercialization. This proactive approach helps us anticipate emerging trends and support innovation while maintaining the highest standards of quality and patient safety. 

What role does technology play in SGS’s bioanalysis and chemistry services?

Technology plays a key role in SGS’s bioanalysis and chemistry services, and it’s built on decades of scientific expertise. 

We apply proven analytical technologies alongside deep technical know-how to generate reliable, high-quality data. This combination of experience and innovation allows us to adapt to new scientific challenges while maintaining the rigor, accuracy, and regulatory confidence our clients expect.

How does SGS support emerging biotech companies?

Emerging biotech companies are often pushing the boundaries of science, but don’t always have the infrastructure or regulatory experience to scale quickly. At SGS, we act as a strategic partner, providing access to specialized capabilities, flexible service models, and regulatory insight. 

By supporting quality and safety early, we help these companies reduce risk, attract investment, and move innovative therapies forward with confidence. Our differentiator is the combination of scientific depth and a strong collaborative mindset. With SGS our emerging biotech partners can benefit from our global network, and at the same time interact with local experts, staying close to them and adapting quickly to their needs 

How do partnerships help SGS drive scientific innovation?

Partnerships are key to how SGS drives scientific innovation. By collaborating with clients, academic groups, and industry leaders, we combine our deep expertise with fresh ideas and new approaches. These collaborations help us stay at the forefront of science and deliver solutions that truly meet the evolving needs of the biopharma industry.

How does SGS measure success in quality and safety support?

We measure success through impact. That includes successful regulatory outcomes, reliable data delivery, and long-term client relationships built on trust. Internally, we focus on quality metrics, audit performance, and operational excellence. Externally, success is reflected in our clients’ ability to progress programs, launch products, and maintain compliance in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. 

Where do you see SGS in five years in biopharma services?

In five years, I see SGS recognized by biopharma companies as their most trusted partner – with dedicated experts, offering specialized testing solutions that support advanced, life-changing treatments, particularly in cell & gene therapies, RNA-based medicines, next-generation biologics, and ADCs. 

Our focus will be helping clients innovate faster while ensuring the highest standards of quality, compliance, and patient safety.

At the Pharma Industry Awards

SGS keeps on highlighting its commitment in practice, showcasing its leadership in advanced bioanalysis while engaging with a vibrant community of biopharma innovators, researchers and development partners during the Pharma Industry Awards.

This annual event offers a valuable platform to exchange insights, strengthen collaborations and explore how the sector is adapting to evolving scientific and economic pressures. As the biopharma landscape continues to advance, the Pharma Industry Awards remains a key forum for recognising the organisations, teams and technologies driving progress. 

Stay tuned for the annual awards programme, where excellence in life sciences is celebrated and award-winning innovations shaping the future of the sector take centre stage this 2026.