DIA 2025 Global Annual Meeting

Component Type: Forum
Level: Intermediate

The International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) was established in 1990 by regulatory authorities and industries in the United States, Japan, and Europe with a mission to harmonize requirements for the development of medicines. Since, the Association was reformed in 2015 to establish ICH as a true global entity, increase participation from regulatory authorities and industry around the world and increase the implementation of ICH guidelines globally thereby speeding access to medicines for patients and supporting the global supply of medicines. It has been nearly 10 years since the ICH reforms were completed. In this session, Regulatory and Industry experts will reflect on how far we’ve come and the progress achieved in harmonizing scientific and technical requirements for the development of medicines since 1990. Speakers will share perspectives on the evolution of medicines development as a result of ICH guideline development. Further, speakers will exchange perspective on future opportunities for international regulatory harmonization with consideration of the increasing globalized nature of medicines development and navigating the evolving landscape and use of innovative approaches before turning it over to the audience to hear their ideas around how to promote international harmonization and continued global drug development and patient access to medicines.

Learning Objectives

Assess progress in international harmonization of regulatory requirements for the development of medicines since ICH was established in 1990 and its increased global footprint following the reforms in 2015; Evaluate impact of ICH guidelines in global drug development; Identify future opportunities and how ICH can evolve to keep pace with innovation and further promote international regulatory harmonization and increased patient access to medicines.

Chair

Amanda Roache, MS

Speaker

US Regulatory Perspective on the Future of International Harmonization
Theresa Mullin, PhD

Industry Priorities for the Future of International Regulatory Harmonization
Wassim Nashabeh, PhD

ANVISA Perspective on International Global Harmonization and Future Opportunities
Marcelo Moreira, MS

Component Type: Forum
Level: Intermediate

The ICH improved global drug development, but rising country-specific regulations increase complexity and costs for multinational submissions. This session explores key harmonization challenges, regulatory trends, and strategies to navigate diverse requirements for successful drug approvals. Effective communication between sponsors and regulatory agencies is critical for the successful development and approval of new medicines. This forum will explore the similarities and differences in how major global regulators—such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA)—engage with sponsors throughout the drug development lifecycle. We will delve into the formal channels and informal practices each regulatory body uses to guide sponsors, address compliance issues, and expedite approvals. Key similarities, such as scientific advice meetings, regulatory guidance documents, and the use of conditional approval pathways, will be examined. At the same time, critical differences, including cultural approaches to engagement, the role of pre-submission meetings, and divergent regulatory timelines, will be highlighted. Through a comparative lens, this forum will also address how recent trends, such as digital transformation, the COVID-19 pandemic, and emerging policies on patient-centric drug development are shaping interactions with regulators worldwide. The session will provide attendees with practical insights into navigating global regulatory landscapes, fostering better communication with agencies, and optimizing regulatory strategies for successful drug approvals across diverse markets.

Learning Objectives

Identify the similarities and differences in how major global regulators (FDA, NMPA, PMDA, EMA) engage with sponsors throughout the drug development lifecycle; Analyze key similarities, such as scientific advice meetings, regulatory guidance documents, and the use of conditional approval pathways among different regulatory agencies; Recognize ways to gain practical insights into navigating global landscape.

Chair

Steve Sibley, MS

Speaker

FDA Perspective on Best Practices for Navigating Divergent Regulatory Feedback
Namandjé Bumpus, PhD

Best Practices for Navigating Divergent Regulatory Feedback
Natalie Tolli, MS, RPh

Component Type: Session
Level: Intermediate

A multi-stakeholder panel will discuss: regulatory pathways and consideration for early engagement with regulators, harmonization efforts to standardize use of PED, present frameworks to support Industry planning, and explore future opportunities.

Learning Objectives

Discuss regulatory pathways for early engagement to streamline PFDD; Examine regulatory considerations and harmonization efforts to standardize the collection and use of Patient Experience Data; Recognize how to evaluate frameworks available to support industry planning of PFDD studies; Describe best practices for ensuring successful patient-focused study planning and regulatory decision-making.

Chair

Pujita Vaidya, MPH

Speaker

Patient Representative Perspective and Resources for Advancing PFDD
Silke Schoch

Industry Perspective
Samantha Roberts, PhD

Component Type: Session
Level: Intermediate

Explore WHO-led initiatives and global collaborations driving regulatory harmonization and innovation to ensure equitable access to medical products. This session highlights strategic efforts to address shared challenges and advance global health.

Learning Objectives

Discuss the progress and challenges in achieving regulatory convergence and harmonization; Recognize the role of regulatory reliance and collaboration in facilitating access to medical products; Discuss international partner’s perspective on navigating regulatory landscapes to enhance global health equity.

Chair

Hiiti Sillo, MSc, RPh

Speaker

CIP Network and its role in Advancing Global and Regional Regulatory Harmonization, Collaboration, and Work-Sharing
Jude Nwokike, MPH, MSc, RPh, RAC

Regulatory Harmonization: Advancing Global Health through Collaboration
Marion Laumonier, MSc

Shaping Global Health Research and Development through WHO Resources and Coordinated Scientific Advice
Mercedes Perez Gonzalez, MSc