Work

Digital Twins in Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing: Review and Perspective on Human–Machine Collaborative Intelligence

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The biopharmaceutical industry is increasingly developing digital twins to digitalize and automate the manufacturing process in response to the growing market demands. However, this shift can create challenges for human operators, as the complexity and volume of information can overwhelm their ability to manage the process effectively—particularly during abnormal events. These issues are compounded when digital twins are designed without explicit consideration of operator interaction and collaboration. Our review of current trends in biopharma digital twin development reveals a predominant focus on technology and often overlooks the critical role of human operators. To bridge this gap, this article proposes a collaborative intelligence framework that integrates operators with digital twins. We discuss approaches that can enhance operator trust and human–machine interface usability. Moreover, innovative training programs for preparing operators to understand and utilize digital twins are discussed. The framework aims to strengthen collaboration between operators and digital twins by leveraging their complementary capabilities to improve resilience and productivity in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Source: Engineering

DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2026.07.039

Authors: Mohammed Aatif Shahab, Francesco Destro, Richard D. Braatz

Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Digital Transformation in Industry

Subfield: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,300