EMA and FDA Establish Common Principles for AI in Medicine

Jan 16, 2026, 2:21 AM
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The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have taken a significant step in the regulatory oversight of artificial intelligence (AI) in the pharmaceutical industry by establishing ten core principles for its responsible use throughout the lifecycle of medicines. This initiative aims to support the safe and ethical application of AI from early research to post-market surveillance, addressing the complexities and dynamic nature of these technologies.
The adoption of AI in biopharma is rapidly accelerating, prompting the need for clear guidelines. The newly published principles provide broad guidance on AI applications in evidence generation and monitoring, covering all phases of medicine development, including drug discovery, clinical trials, manufacturing, and safety monitoring.

Key Principles for AI in Medicine Development

The ten principles outlined by the EMA and FDA emphasize a human-centric approach to AI development. They include:.
Human-Centric Design: AI technologies must align with ethical values and be designed with human considerations at the forefront.
Risk-Based Approach: The development and use of AI should follow a risk-based methodology, ensuring appropriate validation and oversight based on the context of use.
Adherence to Standards: AI technologies must comply with relevant legal, ethical, technical, and regulatory standards, including Good Practices (GxP).
Clear Context of Use: A well-defined context of use is essential, detailing the role and scope of the AI technology.
Multidisciplinary Expertise: The integration of multidisciplinary expertise is crucial throughout the AI technology's lifecycle.
Data Governance and Documentation: Comprehensive documentation of data provenance and processing steps is necessary to ensure traceability and compliance with GxP requirements.
Model Design Practices: AI technologies should follow best practices in model and system design, ensuring interpretability and predictive performance.
Risk-Based Performance Assessment: Evaluations must include human-AI interactions and use fit-for-purpose data and metrics.
Lifecycle Management: Quality management systems should be implemented throughout the AI technology's lifecycle to address potential issues.
Clear Communication: Information regarding the AI technology's context of use, performance, and limitations must be presented in clear, accessible language.

Implications for Drug Development

The implementation of these principles is expected to facilitate more efficient pathways for both traditional and biological medicines. By adhering to these guidelines, pharmaceutical companies can better prepare for future regulatory submissions involving AI, which will likely require rigorous integration of multidisciplinary expertise and documented data provenance.
Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, emphasized that these guiding principles represent a renewed cooperation between the EU and the US in the field of novel medical technologies. He noted that this collaboration is essential for maintaining a leading role in global innovation while ensuring patient safety.
The rapid adoption of AI technologies in the industry is evident from recent partnerships between biopharma companies and AI specialists. These collaborations are expected to enhance drug development processes, reduce time-to-market, and improve regulatory compliance.

Conclusion

The EMA and FDA's establishment of common principles for AI in medicine development marks a pivotal moment in the integration of advanced technologies in healthcare. By prioritizing ethical standards and patient safety, these principles aim to foster innovation while ensuring that AI applications in medicine are both effective and responsible.
As AI continues to evolve, these guiding principles will likely be supplemented by additional guidance, reflecting the ongoing advancements in technology and regulatory practices.

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