The number 13 has had a bad reputation for centuries, but the reasoning behind this long-prevailing fear is murky at best.
Many blame it on 12. The number 12 tends to represent completeness and perfection — 12 months in a year, 12 eggs in a dozen, 12 apostles in the Christian bible, 12 astrological signs of the zodiac. In contrast, 13 sets people off balance. And that imbalance has led many people, predominately in Western culture, to superstitiously fear 13. Airplanes skip row 13, hotels don’t have 13th floors and Friday the 13th is considered unlucky.
Luck, however, doesn't play a role in pharma manufacturing. So please join us as we journey through 13 scary scenarios — and their potential solutions — courtesy of our 2023 Pharma Innovation Award winners.