Life Sciences Experts to Explore Global Collaboration, AI, and Clinical Trial Innovation at DIA Canada Annual Meeting
The upcoming DIA Canada Annual Meeting, taking place on November 14-15 in Gatineau, Quebec, will gather life sciences leaders to discuss Canada’s precision regulation initiatives, advancements in clinical trials, and international collaboration. Hosted by the global non-profit DIA, the event will feature key topics such as Health Canada’s modernization of regulatory frameworks to address emerging challenges and integrate innovations like advanced therapies, artificial intelligence (AI), and personalized medicine.
Health Canada’s efforts to establish adaptable yet rigorous regulatory policies include partnerships with international agencies like Brazil’s ANVISA to share insights and expertise. The aim is to balance the need for flexibility with the requirement for stringent standards in response to technological advancements.
Canada’s competitive clinical trial landscape is highly regarded for its collaborative networks, such as N2, and its strong public-private partnerships. While there is a focus on inclusivity and decentralized clinical trials, challenges remain in collecting data from underrepresented populations.
“Canada’s biopharmaceutical sector is recognized for its expertise and leadership, but it faces the challenge of integrating new technologies responsibly,” said Tamei Elliott, Associate Director of Scientific Programs for DIA Americas. “By addressing these issues together, we can develop solutions to bring safe, effective treatments to patients more quickly.”
The meeting will open with a plenary session featuring updates on recent amendments to the Food and Drugs Act. Presentations by Alysha Croker, Health Canada’s Director of the Centre for Policy, Pediatrics, and International Collaboration (CPPIC), and Patricia Dechman, Acting Associate Director of the Strategic Horizontal Policy Division, will highlight new regulatory tools that empower the Minister of Health to grant targeted exemptions, leverage information from select authorities, and implement additional rules to ensure the safety and efficacy of therapeutic products.
Additional sessions will cover regulatory, clinical, and safety topics, including Health Canada’s AI applications, access to new treatments for rare diseases, and advancements in patient safety.
The event will bring together industry leaders, government officials, regulators, academics, and patient advocates from Canada and abroad to share insights and case studies. Speakers will include representatives from companies like AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK, Merck, Pfizer, Roche, IQVIA, and Certara.
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.
