As pandemic risk remains one of the most consequential global threats, leaders from the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 spotlighted a pivotal shift: artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a tool for analysis — it’s becoming an integral infrastructure for infectious disease preparedness and response.
Telemedicine has evolved from a supplemental offering into a foundational component of modern healthcare delivery. Virtual consultations, remote diagnostics, and digital patient engagement have improved access to care, reduced logistical barriers, and supported continuity across care settings. These technologies have become especially valuable in addressing workforce shortages and extending care to underserved populations.
The FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) has published its proposed guidance agenda for 2026, offering an early look at the regulatory areas that will shape biologics oversight in the coming year. The agenda highlights a strong focus on cell and gene therapies, blood and blood components, vaccines, and advanced manufacturing and inspection readiness.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released a new draft guidance outlining how sponsors can use Bayesian statistical methods to support the safety and effectiveness of drugs throughout clinical development. The guidance applies broadly to investigational new drug applications (INDs), new drug applications (NDAs), biologics license applications (BLAs), and certain supplemental applications.
As global regulatory coordination becomes increasingly important for medical device manufacturers, IMDRF’s updated strategy offers insight into how international expectations may continue to align across markets.
As BsUFA IV negotiations move forward, sponsors should expect renewed focus on review efficiency, evidentiary expectations, and policy alignment. Regulatory strategy, evidence planning, and early engagement with FDA will be critical as potential changes take shape.
As therapies become more complex, early regulatory engagement is no longer a best practice but a necessity. Cell and gene therapies, combination products, and novel biologics often challenge traditional regulatory frameworks, making late-stage alignment with regulators increasingly risky.
The International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) is signaling a significant shift in how global regulatory guidelines address cell and gene therapies, reflecting the growing complexity and rapid evolution of these advanced products. The ICH Cell and Gene Therapy Discussion Group (CGTDG) has released a discussion paper recommending a more tailored, risk-based approach to regulation that better reflects the unique scientific and manufacturing characteristics of cell and gene therapy products compared to traditional pharmaceuticals.
A newly proposed draft guidance on the development of regenerative medicine therapies has prompted significant feedback from industry groups, research organizations, and professional associations. While stakeholders broadly support efforts to strengthen pathways for advanced therapies, many are asking for greater clarity on eligibility criteria for the Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation and how it should be applied in practice.
The approval pathway for CAR T-cell therapies is entering a new phase as regulators signal a shift toward more rigorous clinical evidence. Leaders from the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) outlined an updated regulatory approach in a recent JAMA publication, indicating that randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will become the preferred standard for most future CAR T approvals.