DIA's Canada Annual Meeting to Address Precision Regulation Initiatives and Advancements in Clinical Trials

Life sciences leaders will discuss global collaboration, AI integration, and Canada's competitive clinical trial environment

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DIA, a global non-profit organization of life sciences professionals, will facilitate discussions on Canada's precision regulation initiatives, maintaining a world-class clinical trial infrastructure, and collaborative international efforts during the Canada Annual Meeting on Nov. 14-15 in Gatineau, Quebec.

Health Canada is modernizing regulatory frameworks to provide precise, adaptable responses to emerging challenges and keep pace with innovations like advanced therapies, artificial intelligence (AI), and personalized medicine. However, establishing flexible yet rigorous policies can be complex, so the department has reached partnerships with health agencies like Brazil's ANVISA to share insights and expertise.

Canada is also home to a competitive clinical trial environment that's highly regarded for its collaborative networks, like N2, and public-private partnerships. Although it has prioritized inclusivity, especially by embracing decentralized clinical trials, the industry still must overcome data collection hurdles within underrepresented groups.

"Canada's biopharmaceutical sector has been recognized for its vast expertise and global leadership, but it's being challenged to responsibly incorporate technological advancements into existing processes," said Tamei Elliott, Associate Director, Scientific Programs of DIA Americas. "By coming together to discuss these challenges, we can work to develop solutions that get safe, effective treatments to patients faster than ever before."

The Canada Annual Meeting's opening plenary session will spotlight recent amendments to the Food and Drugs Act from Alysha Croker, Health Canada's Director of the Centre for Policy, Pediatrics and International Collaboration (CPPIC) at the Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate (BRDD), and Patricia Dechman, Health Canada's Acting Associate Director of the Strategic Horizontal Policy Division. These amendments would allow the Minister of Health to provide targeted regulatory exemptions, use information from select authorities to satisfy specific regulatory requirements, and implement supplementary rules for therapeutic products to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Other sessions will align with regulatory, clinical, and safety and pharmacovigilance tracks. They include discussions of Health Canada's latest AI uses, access to emerging treatments for patients with rare diseases, and patient safety advancements.

Industry representatives, government officials, regulators, academics, and patient advocates from Canada and beyond will network and share case studies and insights. Speakers include representatives from AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Certara, GSK, IQVIA, Merck, Pfizer, and Roche, among others.

Click here to register or view the program for the conference, to be held at the Hilton Lac-Leamy. Media members can request credentials by emailing [e-mail].

About DIA

DIA is a leading global non-profit life science membership association that drives collaboration in drug, device, and diagnostics development in pursuit of a healthier world. Founded in 1964 with headquarters in Washington, D.C., and offices in Europe and Asia, DIA provides unparalleled networking opportunities, educational resources, scientific research publications, and professional development programs to members in more than 80 countries.

Learn more at DIAglobal.org, and connect with DIA on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram.