Pharmaceutical and life sciences translation services

In pharmaceutical and life sciences translation, accuracy isn’t optional.

Whether you’re preparing technical documentation, communicating research findings, supporting international product launches or translating information for healthcare professionals and patients, the right terminology and a clear understanding of the subject matter are essential.

At Atlas Translations, we’ve been helping organisations communicate across languages since 1991. We provide specialist pharmaceutical and life sciences translation services, combining experienced professional linguists, careful project management and established quality assurance processes.

We understand that the documents you entrust to us may contain complex scientific information, commercially sensitive research or information that could affect patient safety. That’s why we take the time to understand your project, its intended audience and any specific terminology or regulatory requirements before work begins.

Need pharmaceutical translation services? Contact our team at team@atlas-translations.co.uk for advice and a detailed quotation.

Pharmaceutical translation services

Pharmaceutical organisations work with a wide variety of documents, from early-stage research and development through to manufacturing, regulatory submissions, marketing and post-market communications. Different documents require different linguistic expertise.

A research paper, for example, demands a different approach from a patient information leaflet or a pharmaceutical manufacturing procedure. We select professional translators with the appropriate scientific, medical or pharmaceutical subject knowledge for each project.

Documents we can help translate include:

• Pharmaceutical research and development documentation
• Scientific papers and research reports
• Regulatory submission documents
• Clinical and non-clinical study documentation
• Product information and patient information leaflets
• Summaries of Product Characteristics (SmPCs)
• Manufacturing procedures and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Quality assurance and quality control documentation
• Safety data sheets and technical documentation
• Pharmacovigilance and adverse event documentation
• Product labelling and packaging
• Training materials and internal communications
• Pharmaceutical marketing and educational materials
• Contracts, agreements and commercial documentation

We can also support multilingual projects involving several document types, different target audiences and multiple languages.

Life sciences and biotechnology translation

Life sciences is a broad and constantly developing field, encompassing areas such as biotechnology, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology and biomedical research. Translating content in these disciplines requires more than general scientific knowledge.

Specialist terminology must be understood in context, and the translated material must be appropriate for the people who will use it. We support organisations working across the life sciences sector, including biotechnology businesses, laboratories, research institutes and university departments.

Our work can include:

• Biotechnology research documentation
• Laboratory procedures and protocols
• Scientific publications and technical reports
• Genetic and molecular research materials
• Diagnostic and testing documentation
• Research grant applications and supporting materials
• Scientific presentations and conference materials
• Product specifications and technical data
• Research collaboration agreements
• Training and educational content

Our project managers help identify the right linguistic expertise for each assignment, taking account of specialist terminology, the intended audience and the purpose of the document.

Regulatory and compliance-related translation

Pharmaceutical and life sciences organisations operate in highly regulated environments. Documentation may need to meet specific requirements relating to terminology, structure, consistency, traceability and presentation. Translation is one part of this wider process.

We support clients with the translation of regulatory and compliance-related materials, including documentation prepared for use in different countries and markets. Our team can work with your terminology, reference materials, style guides and document requirements to help maintain consistency.

Where documents are intended for regulatory submission, we encourage clients to tell us about the relevant market, authority and intended use at the outset. This helps us select an appropriate translation and review process.

While Atlas provides specialist linguistic services, responsibility for regulatory approval and the final suitability of submitted documentation remains with the relevant organisation and regulatory specialists.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality documentation

Clear, consistent documentation is essential in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Instructions, procedures and quality records may be used by teams working across different countries, facilities and languages.

We support the translation of manufacturing and quality-related documentation, including:

• Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) documentation
• Quality management procedures
• Manufacturing instructions
• Equipment operating manuals
• Validation documentation
• Quality control procedures
• Audit reports
• Training materials
• Technical specifications

Our translators pay close attention to technical terminology, consistency and the practical purpose of the documentation. We can also work with existing glossaries and previously approved translations to support consistency across ongoing projects.

Patient and healthcare professional communications

Pharmaceutical information needs to work for the people reading it. Content intended for healthcare professionals may contain detailed scientific and clinical terminology. Patient-facing information often requires a different approach, with particular attention to clarity, readability and appropriate language.

We help clients communicate effectively with both audiences.

Our work can include:

• Patient information leaflets
• Medication guidance and instructions
• Patient education materials
• Healthcare professional information
• Training and educational resources
• Product information
• Safety communications
• Website and digital content

Our translators consider the intended audience, local terminology and cultural differences while preserving the meaning of the original material. We understand that accurate communication is particularly important where information may influence how a medicine is understood or used.

Supporting clinical research and international trials

Clinical research frequently involves multiple countries, languages, research teams and patient populations. We support pharmaceutical companies, clinical research organisations and university departments with specialist translation services for clinical research.

This can include clinical trial protocols, participant information sheets, informed consent forms, questionnaires and other research documentation. We also provide forward translation, back translation, reconciliation and other linguistic validation support for Clinical Outcome Assessments (COAs) and patient-reported outcome measures.

Read more about our clinical trials and linguistic validation services.

Translation for pharmaceutical packaging and labelling

Pharmaceutical packaging and labelling may contain essential information about product identity, use, storage, handling and safety. Translations must be accurate, consistent and appropriate for the intended market.

We support pharmaceutical organisations with multilingual packaging and labelling projects, including:

• Product labels
• Carton and packaging text
• Package leaflets
• Storage and handling instructions
• Safety warnings
• Product information
• Supporting packaging documentation

We can also assist with multilingual formatting and typesetting, helping clients prepare translated content for use within existing layouts. Where packaging must meet specific local regulatory requirements, we work to the instructions and approved content provided by the client.

Why human expertise matters

Pharmaceutical translation involves specialist terminology, complex concepts and documents where the consequences of ambiguity can be significant. A term may have a particular meaning within pharmacology, manufacturing, clinical research or regulatory documentation.

The same word may need to be translated differently depending on its context. Our approach combines specialist human translators with careful review and project management.

We consider:

• Scientific and pharmaceutical terminology
• Intended audience and document purpose
• Regulatory and market-specific terminology
• Consistency across related documents
• Existing client glossaries and reference materials
• Clarity and readability
• Cultural and linguistic differences
• Formatting and document structure

And if something is unclear, we ask. We would rather raise a question at the right stage than make an assumption that could affect the final translation.

Supporting universities and life sciences research

Atlas has extensive experience working with university research departments and academic teams. We support researchers working across scientific, medical and life sciences disciplines, including projects involving international collaboration and specialist technical terminology.

Our services can help with research papers, scientific reports, conference materials, questionnaires and supporting research documentation. We understand that academic research projects often involve tight budgets, grant-funded work and demanding publication or submission deadlines.

Our team can discuss the most appropriate approach for your project and provide a clear quotation before work begins.

Quality, confidentiality and information security

Pharmaceutical and life sciences documents may contain confidential research, commercially sensitive information and intellectual property. We understand the importance of protecting this information.

Atlas Translations is certified to:

• ISO 17100:2015 – Translation services requirements
• ISO 9001:2015 – Quality management systems

We also hold Cyber Essentials certification. Our established project management processes cover linguist selection, project instructions, translation, review and delivery.

We work with professional linguists who are subject to confidentiality obligations and can discuss additional non-disclosure agreements or project-specific security requirements. We do not authorise translators to use AI tools for client translations unless this has been expressly agreed.

More than translation

Pharmaceutical and life sciences projects may require several different language services.

Alongside specialist translation, Atlas can provide:

• Editing and revision
• Proofreading
• Interpreting for meetings and conferences
• Voiceover and subtitling
• Transcription
• Multilingual typesetting and desktop publishing
• Terminology management
• Linguistic consultancy

Whether you have a single technical document or a complex multilingual project, our team can help coordinate the language requirements.

Why choose atlas translations?

Established experience

We’ve been providing professional translation and language services since 1991.

Specialist professional linguists

We select translators with relevant pharmaceutical, medical or scientific expertise rather than treating specialist translation as a general language task.

ISO-certified processes

Our quality management and translation service certifications support a structured approach to project delivery.

Dedicated project managers

You’ll work with experienced people who understand the importance of clear communication, accurate instructions and reliable delivery.

Human-first approach

We value specialist knowledge, professional judgement and the willingness to ask questions.

Practical advice

We’ll help you identify the services and review stages appropriate for your project, without unnecessary complexity or cost.