The technology is there. The mindset just needs to catch up.
Pharma IT Insights
From one-off projects to continuous, AI-assisted pipelines. The future of life science migrations
By Nick Larsen
June 23, 2025
Pharma IT Insights
From one-off projects to continuous, AI-assisted pipelines. The future of life science migrations
By Nick Larsen
June 23, 2025
For years, data migration has been treated as a necessary evil in life science companies. It’s been something we do only when we absolutely have to and usually during major system overhauls every 5 to 10 years. These are often high-pressure projects, seen as costly, risky, and something we just want to get over with.
But this mindset is starting to shift.
As more companies move to cloud-based platforms, bring in specialized tools, and embrace data-driven ways of working, it’s no longer enough to think of migration as a one-time event. Data needs to move smoothly and continuously between systems. That’s where the idea of continuous migration pipelines comes in.
The shift: From big projects to built-in capabilities
Today, life science organizations are rolling out new platforms more frequently, RIM systems, eTMF, QMS, Safety databases and others. Many are running hybrid setups across different vendors. At the same time, the demand for better data quality and faster access to insights is increasing.
This means data migration has to become a built-in capability. Not something we “do” once and then forget about, but something we manage continuously.
The goal is simple: Get clean, compliant, well-structured data where it needs to go, without blocking business or introducing unnecessary delays.
What’s making it possible: Automation and AI
Until recently, migration was a very manual process. But with automation and AI, much of the heavy lifting can now be handled by technology.
Here are a few real examples:
1. AI can help auto-classify documents and suggest metadata, saving time and reducing errors
2. Automated validation rules can catch gaps or quality issues before data is loaded
3. Pipelines can be set up to update data incrementally, instead of requiring full reloads each time
This makes migrations faster, less error-prone, and easier to repeat. It also frees up internal teams to focus on higher-value tasks instead of manual data wrangling.
At PharmaIT/PLG, we’ve help clients move from large, one-time migration projects to repeatable pipelines that run monthly or even weekly. This creates flexibility and keeps systems up to date without the usual disruption.
Migrations should be enablers, not roadblocks
Too often, data migration is seen as a hurdle to get past before the real work can begin. But in a modern digital setup, migration is a core part of how data flows and how transformation happens.
Better data means better decisions, faster submissions, and more efficient operations. And that depends on migrations being done right, not just once, but continuously.
So maybe it’s time we stop asking “how do we survive this migration” and start asking:
What would it look like if migrations were business as usual?
💡 Ready to move beyond reactive migrations?
At PharmaIT, we support life science organizations in building AI-assisted, GxP-compliant migration pipelines that work across platforms and hybrid environments. If you’re looking to shift from one-off projects to reliable, repeatable data flows, get in touch to see how we can help make continuous migration a standard part of your digital operations.
About the author
Nick Larsen is Pharma IT’s Director of Data, AI & Migrations. He leads the company’s efforts to transform complex data ecosystems into scalable, compliant, and AI-enabled solutions for the life sciences sector. Nick oversees GxP-compliant data migrations, validated pipelines, and integration projects across regulated environments. He brings deep expertise in bridging technical and business needs, helping clients adopt modern data strategies that support international growth. By combining hands-on execution with a clear focus on long-term value, he ensures Pharma IT delivers reliable, future-ready data solutions that meet both operational and compliance demands.
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