Solving Connectivity Challenges in Pharma Manufacturing
In 2022, Eli Lilly & Co. identified a significant connectivity gap across its lab and manufacturing facilities: many stand-alone benchtop instruments, such as pH meters and balances, were not integrated with any computer systems. This lack of connectivity led to potential data compliance challenges, especially given the regulatory demands in pharma and life sciences.
To address these issues, Lilly initiated a cross-functional effort involving IT, Engineering, and Quality departments to develop a cloud-enabled equipment connectivity solution. This solution would automate data collection, improving data integrity and advancing the company’s digital transformation goals. As a result, Lilly developed the Equipment Connectivity Platform, designed to provide a standardized, scalable interface layer for connecting laboratory and manufacturing equipment to centralized systems like MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) and LES (Lab Execution Systems), while also transmitting data to the cloud. Built-in controls ensure data compliance, and comprehensive reporting capabilities support thorough data review and accountability.
Implementing a Secure, Scalable Solution for Real-time Data Exchange
HiveMQ serves as the core MQTT hub for secure, real-time data exchange. Instruments in the labs and manufacturing areas publish data through MQTT topics using the Sparkplug B protocol, an industry standard for industrial IoT applications. This data is then subscribed to by the MES/LES systems and seamlessly transmitted to the cloud using HiveMQ’s bridge configuration and Kafka extensions.
HiveMQ’s centralized message broker provides a consistent security model, ensuring the safe and efficient transfer of data between equipment and the cloud. This capability is critical for maintaining compliance, supporting real-time decision-making, and enabling operational efficiencies across Lilly’s manufacturing plants. The connectivity platform empowers Lilly to leverage a scalable edge compute solution, transforming operations by enabling the company’s plants to become more productive with a modern platform that will continue to meet future manufacturing needs.
Lilly utilizes multiple HiveMQ licenses for both its enterprise server and production manufacturing sites. The platform currently incorporates HiveMQ’s Security and Bridge extensions, with plans to leverage the Data Hub and Data Lake extensions as part of future Edge 2.0 Unified Namespace implementations.
Transforming Operations with Standardized Connectivity
Since its launch, the Equipment Connectivity Platform, powered by HiveMQ, has connected several hundred instruments across countless laboratory and manufacturing sites. Lilly plans to expand this platform to additional sites by 2025. Given the platform’s success, Lilly has formalized this architecture into a global connectivity strategy that aligns with their digital plant vision of fully connected facilities.
With HiveMQ, Lilly now benefits from a standardized, scalable interface to MES and LES systems, which includes:
A standardized interface for faster integration with MES (Manufacturing Execution System) / LES (Lab Execution System)
Enhanced equipment interoperability across multiple systems
Technical controls to prevent or detect unauthorized testing and unreported data
Automatic data capture and flow, reducing manual data handling
Scalable and flexible cloud-based technology for seamless operations
Standardization across multiple sites, reducing paper processes and streamlining workflows
