Articles By Aachit

Bridging Borders in Animal Healthcare

The animal healthcare industry plays a critical role in ensuring global food security, protecting companion animals, and supporting the livelihoods of millions of farmers. With increasing globalisation, companies in this sector are expanding into international markets, launching innovative products, and navigating complex regulatory landscapes.

Imagine this: A veterinary pharmaceutical company develops a breakthrough drug to prevent parasitic infections in livestock. The drug promises to revolutionise farming efficiency and animal welfare. However, the launch faces significant delays or outright rejection without accurately translated regulatory submissions, product labels, and safety documentation. The opportunity to save animal lives and improve agricultural productivity is lost.

This scenario underscores the importance of technical translation. Accurate, localised translations of medical documentation, marketing materials, and training guides are essential for global compliance, operational success, and brand trust. With a business background and experience investing in start-ups, I bring a fresh perspective on digital transformation, automation, and innovative marketing techniques that can enhance the technical translation process. This article delves into the challenges, best practices, and emerging trends shaping technical translation for the animal healthcare industry.

Why Technical Translation is Vital for Animal Healthcare

1. Regulatory Compliance The animal healthcare industry operates within a stringent regulatory framework, where every product - from vaccines to feed additives - must meet local requirements. Key documents that require translation include:
   • Clinical Trial Data: Ensures transparency and builds trust with regulatory agencies.
   • Product Labels and Inserts: Provides critical information such as dosage, contraindications, and storage conditions.
   • Safety Data Sheets (SDS): Protect end-users by outlining safety precautions in their native language.
   Non-compliance due to mistranslations can result in fines, product recalls, or market entry delays.


2. Facilitating End-User Understanding Veterinarians, farmers, and pet owners rely on accurate and comprehensible materials to use products effectively and safely. Translations must be:
   • Clear and Concise: Simplify complex terms for non-specialist audiences.
   • Culturally Relevant: Adapt instructions and warnings to resonate with local practices.


3. Safeguarding Intellectual Property Technical translation also protects intellectual property (IP). Accurate translations of patents, technical specifications, and manufacturing processes prevent misinterpretation and protect global IP.

Challenges in Technical Translation for Animal Healthcare

While translation is essential, it is not without its challenges. The industry's complexity makes technical translation a highly specialised task.

1. Complexity of Technical Terminology Veterinary and pharmaceutical terms often have no direct equivalents in other languages. For instance:
   • The term “bioavailability” may require a detailed explanation in some languages due to the lack of a single-word equivalent.
   • Drug names and active ingredients must comply with International Nonproprietary Names (INN) standards.


2. Multilingual Regulatory Requirements Each country imposes unique standards for product approval and labelling:
   • Europe: Requires documentation in multiple languages, adhering to European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidelines.
   • Asia: Demands localisation in regional languages such as Japanese, Mandarin, and Hindi.
   • United States: Mandates that all submissions to the FDA follow precise formatting and terminology.
   Navigating these varying requirements is a daunting task for global companies.


3. High Volume and Tight Deadlines Product launches often involve translating hundreds of pages of documentation within short timeframes. Delays in translation can jeopardise the entire launch schedule.


4. Maintaining Consistency Across Languages Consistency in terminology and formatting is crucial for technical documents. Mismatched translations can confuse end-users and lead to regulatory issues.

Best Practices for Technical Translation in Animal Healthcare

1. Choose the Right Language Service Provider (LSP) Partnering with a specialised LSP is critical for high-quality translations. Consider the following:
   • Domain Expertise: The LSP should employ linguists with veterinary and pharmaceutical knowledge.
   • Regulatory Knowledge: Ensure familiarity with international and local regulatory frameworks.
   • Technology Integration: Look for LSPs that use advanced tools like Translation Management Systems (TMS) and Neural Machine Translation (NMT).


2. Leverage Technology to Streamline Workflows Advanced technology can enhance efficiency and accuracy:
   • TMS: Automates workflows, manages terminology databases, and ensures consistency across large projects.
   • NMT with Human Oversight: Combines machine translation speed with human expertise to achieve contextual accuracy.
   • Glossary Tools: Create and maintain centralised glossaries to standardise terminology.


3. Develop a Comprehensive Project Plan Effective project management is the backbone of successful translation. Key steps include:
   • Scope Definition: Clearly outline the volume, languages, and regulatory requirements.
   • Timeline Management: Establish realistic deadlines for each phase of the project.
   • Stakeholder Coordination: Maintain open communication between translators, regulatory experts, and marketing teams.


4. Implement Rigorous Quality Assurance Quality assurance (QA) processes ensure that translations are error-free and compliant. QA practices include:
   • Peer Review: Engage subject-matter experts to verify technical accuracy.
   • Compliance Checks: Validate translations against local regulatory standards.
   • Field Testing: Pilot materials with target users to identify potential issues.


5. Embrace Localisation Early Localisation ensures that translations resonate with the target audience. Incorporate localisation during the early stages of document creation to minimise rework.


6. Monitor and Measure Success Track performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of translation processes. Key performance indicators (KPIs) include:
   • Turnaround time.
   • Accuracy rates.
   • Feedback from regulators and end-users.

Case Study: A Successful Veterinary Product Launch

• Background: A global animal healthcare company planned to launch a new feed additive for dairy cattle across Europe, Asia, and South America. The project involved translating:
  • Clinical trial data
  • Product labels and packaging
  • Marketing materials for farmers and veterinarians


• Challenges:
  1. Varying regulatory requirements across 12 countries.
  2. High volume of documentation (10,000+ pages).
  3. Tight six-month deadline for simultaneous market entry.


• Solution: White Globe deployed a dedicated team of translators, subject-matter experts, and project managers. Key strategies included:
  • Using TMS to streamline workflows and ensure consistency across all translations.
  • Building a centralised glossary to maintain terminology uniformity.
  • Collaborating with local regulatory consultants to adapt materials for compliance.


• Outcome: The product was successfully launched in all target markets with no regulatory delays. The client reported a 20% reduction in translation costs and faster time-to-market compared to previous launches.

The Role of Technology in Technical Translation

1. TMS for Workflow Efficiency TMS platforms centralise translation management, ensuring seamless collaboration and consistency.
2. NMT for Scalability NMT engines deliver fast, high-quality translations, especially for repetitive regulatory content.
3. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Localisation Veterinary companies are leveraging AR/VR for training and marketing. Localising these technologies expands their global reach.
4. Predictive Analytics for Translation Needs AI-powered analytics forecast translation requirements, enabling proactive planning and resource allocation.

Future Trends in Technical Translation for Animal Healthcare

1. Sustainable Translation Practices Digital-first workflows are reducing the environmental impact of translation projects. Features include:
   • Paperless operations.
   • Reusable content via translation memory.


2. Accessibility and Inclusivity The industry is moving towards inclusive translations, such as:
   • Braille and audio formats for visually impaired users.
   • Simplified language versions for non-specialist audiences.


3. Dynamic Content Delivery AI-driven solutions enable personalised translations tailored to individual user preferences, enhancing engagement.

White Globe’s Leadership in Technical Translation

White Globe is a trusted partner for animal healthcare companies, offering tailored solutions for their translation needs. Here’s what sets us apart:

1. Expertise Across Domains Our linguists are experts in veterinary science, pharmaceuticals, and regulatory compliance.
2. Advanced Technology Integration We use TMS, NMT, and cloud-based tools to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
3. Client-Centric Approach We customise our services to align with each client’s unique requirements, ensuring compliance and success.