Life sciences procurement in 2025 goes way beyond cutting costs and managing orders; it's a powerful lever for driving innovation, improving efficiency, and accelerating better patient outcomes. But if your procurement strategy feels stuck in the past, you're not alone.
Many organizations are still mired in outdated methods that are holding them back. The good news? These roadblocks are easier to remove than you might think.
At ZAGENO, we’ve helped top pharma and biotech companies modernize their procurement with our AI-driven lab supply marketplace. Here are eight pitfalls we see all too often, and how to tackle them head-on.
Bonus: Not sure if your procurement strategy can use an upgrade? Check out the quiz at the end of this article!
What works for a huge global pharmaceutical company usually doesn’t work for a lean biotech startup. And yet, many companies continue using standardized procurement practices that don’t meet their unique needs.
For example, early-stage biotechs have less predictable R&D timelines than their larger counterparts. That means they have to prioritize flexibility in their procurement strategy. And, while long-term supplier contracts may mean better pricing, they can make it hard to pivot when things change.
How to fix it: Tailor your procurement strategy to fit your organization’s needs. At ZAGENO, we specialize in flexible biotech and pharma solutions that align with your unique workflows and scale as you grow, so you're not locked into rigid, outdated models.
Learn more: The Procurement Growth Model: A Roadmap for Biotech Efficiency
Outdated systems and manual processes that bog down procurement teams. The endless back-and-forth, inefficient order tracking, and redundant tasks consume valuable time that could be spent on higher-value activities. When scientists spend hours chasing orders instead of conducting experiments, the entire organization’s productivity suffers. The good news? There is a better way.
How to fix it: Implement digital procurement platforms that streamline the process, automate repetitive tasks, and provide real-time updates. The ZAGENO lab supply marketplace was designed to free up scientists and procurement teams alike, allowing them to focus on their core work.
Learn how ZAGENO saves scientists time on lab supply procurement—an average of 6.2 hours per week finding and ordering products and 4.8 hours per week tracking orders.
Data is at the heart of modern procurement, but too often, it’s underutilized. Many teams have access to procurement data but lack the tools to turn insights into action.
For example, do you have visibility into supplier performance? Can you track spending trends or quickly identify opportunities for cost savings? Without actionable insights, you're missing the chance to optimize budgets and streamline operations.
How to fix it: Invest in platforms that provide real-time reporting and analysis, like ZAGENO’s spend analytics tools. ZAGENO empowers you with a consolidated view of lab supply spend, helping you track trends, manage budgets, and make informed decisions. Features like supplier performance tracking, category spend analysis, and custom reporting give you the insights needed to reduce costs and enhance efficiency.
Learn more: Revolutionizing Procurement: Leveraging Data and AI for Strategic Advantage, McKinsey & Company
Relying on a narrow supplier base or long-term contracts might feel safe, but it often prevents access to cutting-edge products and technologies. Life sciences is an ever-evolving field, and sticking to the same suppliers can mean missing out on the latest advancements.
Consider whether your existing suppliers still meet your needs. Are they offering competitive pricing? Do they come to you with innovative ideas and products? Do they provide the flexibility to handle supply chain disruptions? If not, it’s time to expand your options. Without access to the best tools and materials, organizations risk falling behind competitors who are better equipped.
How to fix it: Diversify and expand your supplier network. With over 40 million products from 5,300+ global vendors, ZAGENO makes it easy to discover new, high-quality suppliers without complicating the process.
Demo the ZAGENO marketplace and find your favorite (and soon-to-be favorite) products and brands.
Long-tail spend (low-value, high-volume purchases) can quietly drain budgets when left unmanaged. Combined with poorly negotiated contracts and a lack of price comparisons, this inefficiency often diverts funds away from research and innovation.
How to fix it: Use data analytics and a consolidated purchasing approach to gain control over procurement spending. ZAGENO provides a single source of spend through a unified punchout platform, simplifying procurement and reducing inefficiencies. Its tools help track longtail spend, identify cost-saving opportunities, and optimize budgets, ensuring more resources are directed toward driving innovation.
Learn more: How Sanofi Tamed Their Long Tail Spend Using the ZAGENO Marketplace
Outdated strategies often fail to account for disruptions. Whether it’s a global crisis or a supplier-specific issue, a lack of contingency planning can leave your lab scrambling. An unreliable supply chain can halt critical experiments, costing both time and money.
How to fix it: Build a resilient procurement strategy by diversifying suppliers and leveraging platforms like ZAGENO that provide flexibility and transparency to navigate supply chain challenges.
Learn More: 3 Supplier Diversification Pro-Tips for a Resilient Lab Supply Chain
Sustainability is a growing priority, but outdated practices make it difficult to track and achieve measurable impact. Relying on suppliers who are “greenwashing” with vague or misleading claims adds to the challenge.
How to fix it: Use purchasing platforms that prioritize verified sustainability metrics. At ZAGENO, we connect you with suppliers that meet rigorous environmental standards, ensuring your procurement aligns with your sustainability goals.
Free eBook: Improving Lab Sustainability Through Better Procurement, from My Green Lab and ZAGENO
Despite its strategic importance, procurement is often undervalued in life sciences organizations. This perception limits its potential to drive innovation and efficiency. Procurement is much more than buying supplies, it’s about enabling science and fueling breakthroughs.
How to fix it: Reposition procurement as a strategic partner to your R&D and operations teams. At ZAGENO, we help organizations elevate procurement by providing tools that save time, reduce costs, and improve collaboration across departments.
Case Study: How a Global Top 30 Pharma Prevented Experiment Delays for 300-Scientist Lab
Wondering if your procurement process is out of date? Take our quick quiz to see if your strategy needs an upgrade.
If any of these hit home, your procurement strategy might be due for a refresh. Modernizing your process could help free up time, reduce costs, and keep you on the cutting edge of life sciences.
The true cost of outdated procurement isn’t just about dollars spent; it’s about the opportunities missed. From delayed innovations to disrupted supply chains, the ripple effects of inefficiency are far-reaching.
At ZAGENO, we’re helping life sciences organizations transform procurement from a cost center into a competitive advantage. Our platform simplifies purchasing, provides real-time insights, and connects you with trusted suppliers so your team can focus on what matters most: advancing science.
Ready to rethink your procurement strategy? See how ZAGENO can help you modernize procurement, drive innovation, and achieve your goals.