Biotechnology is becoming a strategic intersection between traditionally separate sectors. What was once reserved for the life sciences now also impacts healthcare, energy, and industrial manufacturing.
CEOs who understand the mechanisms of this evolution can unlock new value creation potential – not through incremental approaches, but through bold cross-connections.
Biotechnology – a platform for transformation
Biotechnology was long a specialized field. Today, it is evolving into a platform technology that connects digital and physical systems.
Moderna, for example, has fully digitized its mRNA platform – from AI-assisted drug development to integrated manufacturing. The company no longer operates as a traditional biotech company but as part of a networked technology ecosystem.1
Another example is DeepMind’s AlphaFold, which is revolutionizing the prediction of protein structures using artificial intelligence. A breakthrough that accelerates medical research and creates new interfaces for IT and cloud infrastructures.2
The common thread:
Biology and technology will not merge at some point in the future; they are already merging. And it is precisely in this area that new opportunities are emerging for CEOs beyond traditional industry logic.
Cross-sector rather than cross-functional
Previously functionally separate areas – such as data analysis in IT, drug discovery in the life sciences industry, or emissions control in the energy sector – are increasingly overlapping. Companies, therefore, don’t need new functions but rather new industry connections.
A striking example is LanzaTech: The company uses biotechnologically modified microbes to convert industrial emissions into usable chemicals such as ethanol, which can be used for sustainable fuels or packaging. The circle of partners ranges from TotalEnergies to Unilever to ArcelorMittal. Biotechnology is becoming a bridge between energy, industry, and consumer goods.3
In short:
Cross-sector opportunities arise through technology and the willingness to explore new avenues.
Key takeaways
- Biotechnology is no longer vertical but integrative. Today, anyone planning digital platforms, energy systems, or industrial processes should consider biotechnology a potential core component.
- New opportunities emerge at the edges of industries. This is often where the most significant strategic leverage lies – for products, markets, and partnerships.
- CEOs should think across industries, not just across functions. Those who initiate such collaborations now will shape the business models of the coming decade.
Conclusion
The rise of biotechnology is not just a signal for the life sciences industry. It is a wake-up call for all industries that rely on technology.
“The greatest innovations emerge where disciplines collide.”
Inspired by “Where Good Ideas Come From” (Steven Johnson)
Don’t imitate, but connect – boldly, interdisciplinary, and with vision.
Sources
- Moderna, “Moderna Highlights its Digital and AI Strategy and Progress at Second Digital Investor Event,” 2023
- The Guardian, “Google DeepMind scientists and biochemist win Nobel chemistry prize,” 2024
- WSJ, “A Yeast-Like Bacteria Can Cut Carbon Emissions While Creating Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Sneakers,” 2024
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely the author’s opinion and not investment advice—it is provided for educational purposes only. By using this, you agree that the information does not constitute any investment or financial instructions. Do conduct your own research and reach out to financial advisors before making any investment decisions.