DIA: Driving Insights to Action

Healthy Population Key to Economic Success

“Though there's different perspectives, and different reasons why we're all in healthcare, it is all about the patient; and so, getting patient access to important therapeutics that change their lives is why we're all here,” suggests Sandra Milligan, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Safety, Merck. “It's amazing to see regulatory agencies stepping up, recognizing that the health of their population is so important. Look at the regulatory revolution in China. Incredible. Having a healthy population is key to economic success.”

Defining Rational Medicine and Research at DIA Japan 2019

Japan’s Clinical Research Act, which came into force in April 2018, codified the term “clinical research” for the first time in the nation’s history. “‘AI’ has become a big buzzword and it is making a huge impact on the way we conduct clinical trials, as well as on various areas of R&D activities,” explains Dr. Takashi Sato, Manager for Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., and Vice Chair of the 16th DIA Japan Annual Meeting 2019: To deliver rational medicine to all people in the world. “Another one is clinical trial renovation. In five years from now, clinical trials will look very different from what they are now.”

How Do You Put Your Disease on the Agenda?

Through FDA’s Patient Focused Drug Development and similar initiatives, the value of the patient voice in drug development is clear. “It’s not just a question of science but also one of social justice,” suggests independent filmmaker Jennifer Brea, Director for Shella Films and founder of the rare disease community MEAction. “When no one’s paying attention to your community, and no one thinks that what you’re going through is particularly urgent or important, how do you put your disease on the agenda?”