As a biotech start-up, innovation and speed of execution are crucial for you. Being able to rely on a robust ERP system to manage your most complex operations, compliance and financing challenges is key to helping you structure and grow your business.
Update on the challenges and trends facing biotech start-ups
In the biotech sector, there are many challenges ahead.
”You must convince investors while complying with the strict standards of your market and staying focused on bringing your products to market.
Nathan Cohen - Sileron
Agility is therefore a major challenge for you in order to face challenges as varied as:
- chemical inventory management
- budget monitoring for each project
- financial transparency and compliance requirements
- implementation of international projects
- or even monitoring KPIs that combine operational efficiency and innovation.
But the biggest challenge is undoubtedly the constant evolution of new technologies. There is no respite for you! There is only one solution: you must be able to rely on flexible and scalable tools to remain competitive.
Current technological uses in the biotech sector
Current trends in the biotech world unsurprisingly include the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve efficiency.
Advanced analytics provide biotech start-ups with valuable information by enabling sophisticated levels of analysis.
The adoption of cloud solutions greatly contributes to improved collaboration on projects.
Finally, with the increase in cyber threats and strict regulations such as the GDPR, the ability to ensure compliance and data security has become essential.
SAP S/4HANA Cloud, the ERP for biotech start-ups
With a 98% penetration rate in the biotech sector, SAP is the leading ERP provider in the industry. And this is no coincidence.
”SAP was built around enterprise applications. Our job is to have processes that cover specific business needs for particular sectors. This structure, which was initially designed to serve large corporations, also benefits smaller companies that still have complexities to deal with.
Lahcen Binoumar - SAP
SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP features that are particularly suited to biotech start-ups
S/4HANA Cloud is the latest generation of ERP developed by SAP. Designed to help companies integrate their business processes in real time, it enables them to accelerate their digital transformation through powerful analytical capabilities and the latest technological innovations.
Based on best practices in the biotech sector, here is a selection of features particularly suited to biotech start-ups:
| Integrated project management | ✔️ Seamless integration with accounting for better financial visibility |
| Validation of customised workflows | ✔️ Adaptability to each company’s specific processes |
| Budget monitoring | ✔️ Accurate expenditure tracking through analytics for optimised financial management |
| Expenditure control | ✔️ Indicators for managing and controlling expenditure effectively |
| Fixed asset and procurement management | ✔️ Standardised processes for purchasing, purchase requests, orders and receipts |
| Project planning and management | ✔️ Advanced planning tools |
Case studies – Four biotech start-ups that chose to implement SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP with Sileron to meet their growth challenges
Sileron, an SAP integrator since 2010, has supported numerous French and international biotech companies in their SAP ERP deployment.
This is the case, for example, with:
Valerio
Valerio is a biotechnology company specialising in the purchase and development of medicines in France and the United States.
Due to its international context, with a large part of its business in the United States, Valerio faced the challenge of finding an ERP system capable of handling financial management under two very different accounting systems (American and French). In addition, as the company is partly debt-financed and listed on the stock exchange, it needed very precise budget monitoring.
Sparing Vision
Sparing Vision is a French research organisation specialising in the development of gene therapies for retinal diseases, operating in France and the United States.
Following a major fundraising campaign in 2022, the challenge for them was to establish accurate budgetary monitoring for each project and the ability to produce reliable financial reports.
Tentamus
Tentamus is an international group of testing and certification laboratories. Our Sileron team worked with the group’s Italian branch.
One of the major challenges in this project was managing the stock of chemical products in relation to their purchasing and sales, so as to avoid stock shortages while also preventing overstocking.
Innate Pharma
Innate Pharma is a biotech company specialising in immuno-oncology research, operating in France and the United States.
As a publicly traded company, it needed to achieve complete financial transparency by implementing validation workflows and robust processes to bring the company into compliance with accounting standards.
The Easy2Scale for Biotech package to facilitate the implementation of your ERP system
Drawing on our experience with SAP solutions and the biotech industry, Sileron has developed a pre-configured package: Easy2Scale for Biotech.
Based on all the best practices for implementing S/4HANA Cloud ERP and designed specifically for biotech companies, this package accelerates ERP deployment.
Among the many advantages of this package are:
- a technological foundation tailored to your sector, robust and efficient
- a secure and scalable cloud solution
- deployment possible in just two months
- personalised post-project support for an ERP system that suits your needs.
”Easy2Scale for Biotech is a pre-configured solution based on the best of S/4HANA Cloud ERP, but specifically designed for the biotechnology industry.
Nathan Cohen - Sileron
And Easy2Scale post-project support is a key feature of this package. It helps you grow your business while allowing you to add additional features.
Want to learn more about SAP solutions for biotech start-ups?
Request a personalised demo!
