Life Science Translation Services: Key Requirements & Trends

Life sciences are heavily influenced by new discoveries in technology, clinical research, and updated regulations. As a result, with the fast-changing nature of these factors, new challenges constantly emerge within the industry.

Speeding the Process with the Help of & AI and Machine Translation Tools

Life sciences are much slower than other fields because they require meticulous record-keeping and documentation at every step of the way. To improve this, industry leaders are investing heavily in machine translation and AI.CSA research found that one big problem in the advancement of life science is the insufficient number of human translators when compared to the demand for translation services. According to the analysis because of this issue, only 0.00000008% of the data generated daily is likely to be translated. The future for the experts is clear: the use of technology will enhance rather than undermine the work of human translators. The ideal solution is a combination of Machine Translation Post-editing services and tools, such as CAT and translation memory, that assist medical translators in dealing with the high demand and other complications that come with the job. This combination helps to leverage their expertise in both subject matter and bureaucracy, as well as cultural nuances, to deliver accurate and culturally appropriate translations.

Regulations Compliance with the Updated Laws

As technology advances, the number of pharmaceuticals and medical devices is increasing exponentially which brings the necessity to update regulations frequently. The Medical Device Regulation in the European Union, for example, was updated in May 2021 and introduced new responsibilities for the European Medicines Agency (EMA). One quality control used in the EU is the CE marking which shows the manufacturer has checked that these products meet EU safety as well as have no significant adverse events.

By having the CE marking any product is free to move within the European market. The recent revision in regulations now mandates that life science translation services must be utilized before a manufacturer can obtain CE marking. This requirement was not present before. Currently, manufacturers must translate their documentation into all 24 official languages of the European Union with accuracy and clarity. Subsequently, obtaining CE marking also falls under the manufacturer’s responsibility. These changes, even though they might seem subtle, might jeopardy your whole localization project if not taken into consideration. And each region and country has its own specifics and regulations.

Compliance with each of them demands the highest levels of expertise and professionalism, from the project managers to the medical translators. Life science translation faces many challenges which require subject matter experts who understand the bureaucratic language of laws and regulations.

Adapting to the Cultural Context

It’s easy to lose sight of the local context when dealing with global projects. While most life science documents follow strict templates with little room for interpretation, when translated into a new language, the terminology may suffer changes. Effective terminology management systems, for example, play a crucial role in helping life science translation services adapt to new cultures and maintain consistency across all documents.

In addition to complying with local regulations, certain documents should be tailored to the new audience and fit the local cultural norms. Patient questionnaires and marketing materials should be communicated in a language that resonates with the target audience. Only native subject matter experts with a deep understanding and extensive experience can effectively adapt translated documents for local audiences.

Prompt Turnaround Time

Life science translation must be 100% accurate; no mistakes are permitted. And, as previously stated, this industry necessitates extensive documentation at each stage. The more complex and risky the product, the more documentation is required. Furthermore, a delay in the process can have a domino effect on the rest of the project, so having the necessary capacity to deliver high-quality translation and being quick to solve any problems that may arise is critical. The translation services should keep up with the industry’s fast pace and be able to respond quickly to changes and updates within the project as well as external ones such as technology and medical research updates and innovations.