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Introduction to Light MTPE (L-MTPE)
Light MTPE, or Light Machine Translation Post-Editing, refers to the process of applying minimal human intervention to machine-translated content to correct only basic fluency and readability issues. This service does not involve full linguistic accuracy checks or stylistic refinement, making it ideal for content that is not intended for external publication or regulatory submission.
For life sciences organizations, it is critical to distinguish light MTPE services from full MTPE or human translation. While full MTPE focuses on accuracy and domain-specific terminology, light MTPE is optimized for speed and cost-efficiency when dealing with large volumes of internal documentation.
Sesen’s light MTPE services are tailored specifically for life sciences applications, leveraging domain-trained MT engines and linguists familiar with medical and scientific language. This ensures a base level of linguistic coherence, even when detailed accuracy is not the priority.
When to Use Light MTPE in Life Sciences:
- Internal reference materials and documentation
- Regulatory intelligence monitoring for early-stage reviews
- Literature and research pre-screenings
- Preliminary clinical trial data analysis
- Non-final SOP drafts for internal circulation
By applying light MTPE strategically, life sciences companies can accelerate internal workflows, reduce translation costs, and maintain operational efficiency while reserving more rigorous linguistic validation for high-risk or external-facing content.
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What Makes Sesen's Light MTPE Different
Sesen delivers Light MTPE services designed specifically for the life sciences sector, where even minimal post-editing must align with the complex language of science, medicine, and regulatory compliance. Unlike generic providers, we combine domain-specific expertise with proven quality systems to ensure reliable and scalable results.
Industry-Trained Editors
Our light MTPE workflow is supported by professional editors with specialized experience in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, and clinical research. These linguists apply focused fluency improvements while respecting the technical integrity of the source content, ensuring the output remains understandable and useful for internal life sciences applications.
Specialized MT Engines
Sesen leverages machine translation engines trained on biomedical, regulatory, and scientific corpora. This allows us to begin with higher-quality machine output that reflects the structure and terminology common in medical documents. The result is fewer errors and more efficient light post-editing with greater contextual accuracy.
ISO-Certified Workflows
Our light MTPE services are backed by ISO 17100 and ISO 13485 certifications, which reflect our commitment to quality, consistency, and traceability. Even when performing minimal editing, Sesen follows structured processes that support data integrity and compliance with industry standards.
Clear Quality Boundaries
We work closely with clients to define the appropriate scope for light MTPE. Edits are limited to correcting grammar, basic fluency, and readability issues. Terminology validation, style adjustments, and full accuracy checks are not part of the light MTPE process and are reserved for full MTPE or human translation services. This transparency helps set realistic expectations and ensures the right level of quality for the intended use.
Sesen’s Light MTPE Workflow for Life Sciences Projects
Sesen follows a structured, transparent workflow tailored for light MTPE services in life sciences. This ensures rapid turnaround with consistent fluency, even for complex medical and scientific documents. Each step is optimized to balance speed, cost-efficiency, and clarity—without compromising data integrity.
Step 1: Source Document Review
We assess the source files to confirm suitability for light machine translation post-editing. Our team identifies content types, formatting requirements, and language complexity to validate whether Light MTPE is appropriate or if full MTPE is recommended instead.
Step 2: Machine Translation Using Domain-Specific MT Engines
Sesen uses medical and life sciences-trained MT engines to generate the initial output. These engines are optimized with terminology and syntax from real-world pharmaceutical, clinical, and regulatory content, producing a higher-quality baseline translation.
Step 3: Human Light Post-Editing
A professional linguist with life sciences expertise reviews the machine-translated text to make limited edits. These include grammar corrections, fluency improvements, and removal of major readability issues. No in-depth terminology validation or stylistic enhancements are made at this stage.
Step 4: Light QA Review
Our internal team conducts a light quality assurance pass to verify that basic fluency and formatting meet expectations. This is not a full linguistic QA but helps catch any obvious omissions or technical inconsistencies in the output.
Step 5: Final Delivery
The completed light MTPE file is delivered to the client in the requested format. We maintain version control and backup documentation to support future edits or potential upgrades to full MTPE if needed.
When to Choose Light MTPE vs. Full MTPE or Human Translation
Selecting the right translation method is essential for balancing speed, cost, and quality—especially in the life sciences sector where regulatory compliance and patient safety are at stake. Sesen offers three levels of service to align with your content’s purpose and risk profile.
Light MTPE
Best for low-risk, internal-facing documents where speed and budget are top priorities.
- Internal reference documents
- Regulatory intelligence monitoring
- Research pre-screenings
- Preliminary trial data reviews
- Cost-effective and fast delivery
- Fluency-focused edits only, no full accuracy validation
Full MTPE
Recommended for external or semi-critical content requiring more thorough linguistic validation.
- Clinical trial protocols and investigator brochures
- Public health communications
- Medical device instructions
- Patient-facing materials
- Style, accuracy, and terminology reviewed
- Suitable for broader distribution
Full Human Translation
Required for high-risk content where absolute accuracy, regulatory compliance, and publication-ready quality are non-negotiable.
- FDA and EMA regulatory submissions
- Patient safety and labeling documents
- Peer-reviewed scientific publications
- Full linguistic and subject-matter expert review
- Highest quality and compliance assurance
For end-to-end language support across protocols, consent forms, and submission documents, explore our Clinical Trial Translation Services.
Quick Comparison: MTPE vs. Human Translation Options
Criteria | Light MTPE | Full MTPE | Human Translation |
Use Case | Internal documents, research scans | Patient materials, clinical trial docs | Regulatory submissions, published materials |
Editing Scope | Fluency only | Fluency, accuracy, terminology | Full linguistic and stylistic refinement |
Review Depth | Minimal QA | Detailed linguistic QA | Multi-step QA by subject matter experts |
Turnaround Time | Fastest | Moderate | Longest |
Cost | Lowest | Moderate | Highest |
Compliance Ready | No | Yes (limited) | Yes |
Advantages of Sesen’s Light MTPE Services
Sesen’s Light MTPE services are purpose-built to support the rapid translation needs of life sciences organizations while maintaining linguistic integrity and contextual relevance. Our workflow delivers measurable efficiency gains without compromising content usability for internal stakeholders.
Faster Turnaround
By applying targeted post-editing to machine-generated translations, we reduce project timelines significantly. Light MTPE enables faster document delivery for time-sensitive tasks such as regulatory surveillance, internal research reviews, and clinical operations updates.
Lower Costs
Light MTPE is the most cost-efficient solution in our translation portfolio. Clients benefit from reduced editing time and optimized resource allocation while still receiving output that meets functional fluency standards for internal use.
Life Sciences Language Expertise
Our post-editors are trained in medical, pharmaceutical, and regulatory terminology. Even at a light-editing level, they bring a native understanding of scientific language and tone, ensuring clarity and contextual alignment for life sciences professionals.
Scalable Across Languages and Documents
Sesen’s infrastructure supports high-volume projects across multiple languages and document types. Whether translating regional safety reports, early trial outputs, or multilingual data extracts, Light MTPE scales efficiently without sacrificing fluency.
Risk-Managed for the Right Use Cases
We work with clients to assess content sensitivity and determine when Light MTPE is appropriate. This strategic approach ensures that high-risk documents are directed to full MTPE or human translation, while lower-risk tasks benefit from rapid, cost-effective output.
Supported Life Sciences Content Types for L-MTPE
Sesen’s Light MTPE services are designed for life sciences organizations seeking fast, cost-effective translation solutions for non-public, lower-risk documentation. Our expertise spans a wide range of internal content types critical to research, regulatory monitoring, and operational workflows.
Supported document types include:
Clinical Trial Reports (Internal Use Only)
Draft study reports, interim analysis results, and early-phase findings intended for internal review or decision-making processes.
Regulatory Updates
Translations of health authority announcements, legislative changes, and compliance alerts for internal regulatory teams to monitor emerging requirements.
Pharmacovigilance Screening Documents
Internal assessments of adverse event reports, safety signal reviews, and preliminary pharmacovigilance data for research or monitoring purposes.
Medical Research Summaries
High-level abstracts, literature reviews, and research article scans used for internal scientific discussions, project planning, or knowledge management.
Manufacturing SOP Drafts (Early Stage)
Preliminary standard operating procedures and production guidelines under development for internal circulation before formal regulatory submission. For validated translations of final device documentation, see our Medical Device Translation Services.
Internal Training Materials (Non-Patient Facing)
Employee training manuals, onboarding resources, and technical guides developed for internal staff education across R&D, clinical, or regulatory teams.
Each project is carefully reviewed to confirm the suitability of Light MTPE, ensuring the right balance between speed, cost, and linguistic clarity for internal life sciences applications.
Data Security and Confidentiality in MTPE Projects
At Sesen, data security and confidentiality are fundamental to every Light MTPE project. We understand that life sciences documents often contain sensitive information related to clinical research, regulatory submissions, and patient safety. Our infrastructure and workflows are specifically designed to protect client data at every stage of the translation process.
Hosted Securely on AWS
All project data is stored and processed on Amazon Web Services (AWS), leveraging one of the industry’s most secure cloud infrastructures. AWS provides robust encryption, access control, and monitoring tools that meet the strict requirements of healthcare, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical clients.
HIPAA-Compliant Workflows
Sesen implements workflows that align with HIPAA requirements for handling protected health information (PHI). Our systems and procedures support the secure management of sensitive healthcare data, helping clients meet internal compliance policies and external regulatory obligations.
Nondisclosure Agreements (NDA) Available
We offer NDAs for every Light MTPE project to formalize confidentiality commitments. Whether for early-stage clinical trial data, manufacturing documentation, or internal regulatory intelligence, Sesen ensures that client materials remain protected and private throughout the engagement.
Our commitment to security allows life sciences companies to confidently leverage Light MTPE services for internal use without compromising information integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between Light MTPE and Full MTPE?
Light MTPE involves minimal human intervention focused only on correcting basic grammar and fluency issues without full verification of terminology or style. Full MTPE, in contrast, includes a more detailed review to ensure linguistic accuracy, correct domain-specific terminology, and improve overall readability, making it suitable for external-facing or semi-critical life sciences content.
Is Light MTPE appropriate for clinical trial submissions?
No. Clinical trial submissions to regulatory authorities such as the FDA or EMA require full human translation or, at a minimum, full MTPE to ensure complete accuracy, regulatory compliance, and data integrity. Light MTPE is best suited for preliminary or internal trial documentation where speed and cost efficiency are prioritized.
How much cost savings can I expect with Light MTPE?
Clients typically achieve 30 percent to 50 percent cost savings compared to full human translation when using Light MTPE services. The exact savings depend on document type, language pair, and quality of the initial machine translation output.
What MT engines does Sesen use for life sciences documents?
Sesen utilizes domain-adapted machine translation engines trained on medical, pharmaceutical, clinical research, and regulatory content. By starting with specialized engines rather than generic ones, we ensure a higher-quality baseline that requires fewer edits and preserves scientific accuracy.
Can I upgrade from Light MTPE to Full MTPE later if needed?
Yes. Clients can request an upgrade from Light MTPE to Full MTPE at any stage. Our team can perform a secondary review to apply deeper linguistic validation, terminology correction, and stylistic enhancements, ensuring the content meets external publication or regulatory submission standards if project needs change.
Case Study: Accelerating Internal Research Reviews with Sesen’s Light MTPE Services
Helping a Global Biotech Company Speed Up Internal Research Reviews by 35 Percent Using Sesen’s Light MTPE Services
Challenge
A leading biotechnology company needed to review a large volume of multilingual clinical research summaries and regulatory updates under tight internal deadlines. Traditional translation methods could not meet the accelerated timeline without significantly increasing costs.
Solution
Sesen deployed life sciences-trained machine translation engines combined with expert Light MTPE services. Our linguists applied minimal, targeted post-editing to enhance fluency while preserving scientific accuracy where needed. The workflow was designed to prioritize speed and internal usability without unnecessary over-editing.
Result
The client achieved a 35 percent reduction in document processing time compared to traditional human translation workflows. Light MTPE enabled faster internal review cycles, improved decision-making speed across clinical and regulatory teams, and delivered substantial cost savings across multiple language pairs.
