"An army marches on its stomach," Napoleon famously said. While the high-technology sector captures the headlines, the supply chain sector is responsible for the heavy lifting, behind the scenes. The books, clothing, and goods that we purchase are increasingly made in Asia or Mexico; transported through multiple modes including air, ocean, rail and truck; passed through warehouses or cross-dock facilities; and delivered to your home via a last-mile delivery company.

The furious pace of M&A activity in life sciences indicates there is serious money to be made there. But successful companies must quickly adapt their supply chains to the challenges that shifting customer needs and industry regulations bring. Five crucial ideas that winners must understand are outlined below.