Regulatory Updates

  • EMA’s new Variation Guideline: Three changes MA holders can’t ignore

    Key summary: The recent revision of the EMA Variation Guideline (reference Regulation 1234/2008) overhauls post-authorisation change procedures (effective Jan 1, 2025). This amendment introduces faster processing for low-risk changes of Marketing Authorisations by introducing new…

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  • EMA meets industry stakeholders on scientific advice and clinical trial coordination

      On 3rd July 2025 EMA conducted its annual meeting with representatives of industry stakeholders to address topics of evidence generation along the medicine’s life cycle and related product-development support activities, such as scientific advice…

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  • Individualised mRNA cancer immunotherapies do not meet the definition of vaccines, so stop calling them so.

    Individualised mRNA cancer immunotherapies do not meet the definition of vaccines, therefore the very sexy terminology of ‘cancer vaccines’ is inappropriate. MHRA’s clarifies own definitions (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6799ef4d9a6dc0352ab34225/Individualised_mRNA_cancer_immunotherapies_0.6.5.pdf). More appropriately, MHRA states that such products are individualised…

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  • Paediatric Plans across Europe

    A paediatric investigation plan or PIP is a requirement for any Marketing Authorisation Application in Europe (EU, Switzerland and UK). Even in cases where the medical condition targeted may benefit from a class waiver, any…

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  • EMA/HTA parallel consultation platform

    On 30 June 2017 the EMA and EUnetHTA launched the new EMA/HTA parallel consultation platform. The new guidance replaces the former draft best practice guide as of publication date and has been developed from the experience gained with the SEED…

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  • Update to Orphan Product MAA variations

      On November 18, 2016, EMA published an update to the post-authorisation guidance on MA extensions and type II variations to include further details on the information companies need to provide when submitting a Type II variation…

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  • The public consultation on Europe’s Paediatric Regulation

    The Paediatric Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1999 on orphan medicinal products) was adopted in 2007 to address a serious gap in knowledge on…

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  • EMA publishes report on parallel Scientific Advice

    EMA published a report on the pilot on its parallel regulatory-health technology assessment scientific advice with a Best Practice Guide. Background: Since 2010, the EMA has initiated a pilot project of parallel HTA-regulatory scientific advice,…

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  • ICH Readies new guidance

    The Assembly finalised its rules of procedure, which reflect the new emphasis on clearer governance, transparency and openness in the operation of the reformed ICH, and will be published shortly. Key advances for public health…

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  • Fast-track drug approval for unmet medical needs in Europe

    The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has revised its guidelines on the implementation of accelerated assessment and conditional marketing authorisation, two key tools in the European legislation to accelerate patients’ access to medicines that address unmet…

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