The Power of Policy

What one policy change would accelerate progress in drug development and manufacturing? We asked the 2026 Power List.

September 17, 2026
9 min

The Medicine Maker

Background

The landscape of clinical trials and health technology assessments is evolving, necessitating a focus on operational efficiencies alongside policy changes. Streamlining these processes is crucial for accelerating the development of advanced therapies, particularly in orphan diseases and areas with high unmet medical needs. The integration of real-world evidence and adaptive trial designs is increasingly recognized as vital for improving patient outcomes.

Data Highlights

No numerical data provided in the source material.

Key Findings

Operational changes may be more impactful than policy changes in clinical trial efficiency.
Greater pragmatism in health technology assessments could facilitate the inclusion of diverse evidence perspectives.
Global harmonization of regulatory frameworks is essential for reducing development costs and improving patient access.
Utilizing biomarker-based endpoints could enable earlier drug approvals while maintaining safety standards.
Real-world evidence should be leveraged more effectively in the regulatory process for rare diseases.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare professionals should advocate for streamlined regulatory processes and the incorporation of real-world evidence in clinical trials. Emphasizing the use of biomarkers in trial design may lead to faster patient access to innovative therapies.

Conclusion

The integration of operational improvements and regulatory harmonization is critical for advancing the development of complex therapies and enhancing patient access to new treatments.