Thermo Fisher Scientific: Weaving Technology into the Fabric of Life Sciences

A Synergistic Approach to Digital Transformation

Thermo Fisher Scientific, a powerhouse in the life sciences industry, doesn't just provide products and services; it empowers progress. Generating over $40 billion annually, the company supports a diverse clientele, from pharmaceutical giants to academic institutions, all united by a common goal: making the world a better place.

Ryan Snyder, Senior VP and CIO, articulates this mission succinctly: “Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Customer success is our success.”

With over two decades at Thermo Fisher, including navigating the integration of Life Technologies, Snyder has a deep understanding of the company's intricacies. Since becoming CIO in 2019, he has championed a digital transformation strategy that seamlessly integrates technology with business objectives.

"Technology is evolving rapidly," Snyder observes, "and our role as IT leaders is to ensure that it aligns seamlessly with our business objectives."

Bridging the Gap Between IT and Business

Snyder advocates for a collaborative approach, embedding technology leaders within business units. This prevents IT from becoming an isolated "science experiment" and avoids the pitfalls of "shadow IT." The focus is on translating business needs into tangible, tech-driven solutions.

"If IT takes too much ownership of technology, it can turn into a siloed initiative," Snyder explains. "Our goal is to embed technology leaders within each business unit so they can translate business needs into tech-driven solutions."

This synergy drives value through efficiency gains, enhanced customer experiences, and fuels product innovation.

Harnessing the Power of Data and AI

Data and AI are not mere buzzwords at Thermo Fisher; they are integral components of the company's strategic framework. Snyder stresses the importance of shared ownership between business leaders and technology teams, recognizing that understanding the context of "good data" is crucial.

“The mistake some organizations make is expecting IT to clean up and manage all the data,” Snyder points out. “In reality, business leaders must be actively involved because they understand the context of what good data means.”

By uniting automation, AI, and data teams under one leader, Thermo Fisher avoids a "hammer looking for a nail" approach. Instead, they employ a versatile toolkit tailored to each specific challenge.

A Three-Pronged AI Strategy

Thermo Fisher's AI strategy revolves around three core pillars: optimizing operational efficiency, enhancing products and services, and elevating the customer experience. This holistic approach maximizes AI's potential, impacting both internal processes and external interactions.

"We don’t just look at AI as a tool to cut costs," Snyder notes. "We also want to improve the experience for our customers."

Responsible AI: A Cornerstone of Ethical Innovation

Recognizing the accelerating pace of AI adoption, Snyder prioritizes robust governance to ensure ethical and effective deployment. This framework emphasizes identifying high-impact applications, preventing siloed deployments, and aligning AI-driven processes with company values.

"Responsible AI isn’t just about compliance," Snyder emphasizes. "It’s about maintaining trust with our employees and customers."

AI in Action: Transforming Clinical Trials and Beyond

AI is already making a tangible difference at Thermo Fisher. In clinical trials, it's used to identify suitable patients, streamline documentation, and optimize trial management, ultimately accelerating drug development.

Internally, AI is empowering software developers by automating code documentation, freeing them to focus on higher-value tasks.

“No software developer enjoys writing documentation,” Snyder quips. “Now, AI can handle that, improving code quality and accelerating development.”

Leading with Empathy: Understanding the Needs of Business

Snyder champions empathy as a driver of innovation. By understanding the needs and challenges of business leaders, the IT team can tailor solutions that truly make a difference.

"Not every leader is deeply tech-savvy, and that’s okay," Snyder acknowledges. "Our job is to guide them, understand their pain points and help them see how technology can make their lives easier."

Looking Ahead: Embracing the Future of Technology

Snyder is committed to keeping Thermo Fisher at the forefront of technological advancement. He recognizes the importance of anticipating future trends, such as multimodal AI and chain-of-thought reasoning, to avoid building "tomorrow's legacy today." Continuous learning and experimentation are key to navigating this evolving landscape.

"You can’t wait until a technology is fully mature to start engaging with it,” Snyder advises. “You need to bring your business leaders along on the journey, so they’re ready to capitalize on the opportunities as they emerge.”

Under Snyder's leadership, Thermo Fisher Scientific exemplifies the power of integrating technology with business strategy. By fostering collaboration, prioritizing responsible AI, and embracing a future-focused mindset, the company is poised to continue its leadership in the dynamic world of life sciences.

"Our role in IT isn’t just to deploy technology,” Snyder concludes. “It’s to create real, measurable business impact. That’s what makes this work so exciting.”