EMA and FDA Establish Joint Principles for AI in Medicine

Jan 18, 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 medicines lifecycle. This initiative aims to provide a framework that supports the safe and ethical application of AI, from early research and clinical trials to manufacturing and post-market surveillance.
The ten principles are designed to guide medicine developers and marketing authorization holders, ensuring that AI technologies are integrated effectively while maintaining patient safety and regulatory compliance. This collaborative effort builds on previous discussions, including the EMA's AI reflection paper published in 2024, and aligns with the European Commission's Biotech Act proposal, which emphasizes AI's potential to expedite the development of safe and effective medicines.

The Ten Core Principles

The principles established by the EMA and FDA include:.
Human-Centric by Design: AI technologies should align with ethical and human-centric values.
Risk-Based Approach: The development and use of AI must follow a risk-based approach, ensuring appropriate validation and oversight based on the context of use.
Adherence to Standards: AI technologies should comply with relevant legal, ethical, technical, and regulatory standards, including Good Practices (GxP).
Clear Context of Use: There must be a well-defined context for the use of AI technologies, detailing their role and scope.
Multidisciplinary Expertise: The integration of multidisciplinary expertise is essential throughout the AI technology's lifecycle.
Data Governance and Documentation: Detailed documentation of data provenance and processing steps is required to ensure traceability and compliance with GxP.
Model Design and Development Practices: AI technologies should follow best practices in design and leverage fit-for-use data, focusing on interpretability and predictive performance.
Risk-Based Performance Assessment: Evaluations must consider the complete system, including human-AI interactions, using appropriate metrics for the intended context.
Life Cycle Management: Quality management systems should be implemented throughout the AI technology's lifecycle to address issues effectively.
Clear, Essential Information: Information regarding the AI technology's context of use, performance, and limitations should be presented in plain language to ensure accessibility for users and patients.

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 standards, pharmaceutical companies can better prepare for future regulatory guidelines while contributing to a global innovation environment that prioritizes patient safety. Mark Arnold, a principal at Bioanalytical Solution Integration, noted that these principles are designed to enhance the use of AI in generating evidence across all phases of the drug product lifecycle, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes.
European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, emphasized that these guiding principles represent a renewed EU-US cooperation in the field of novel medical technologies. He stated that this collaboration showcases how both regions can work together to maintain their leadership in global innovation while ensuring the highest levels of patient safety.

Conclusion

The joint principles established by the EMA and FDA mark a crucial development in the integration of AI within the pharmaceutical industry. By providing a structured approach to the use of AI, these guidelines aim to enhance the safety, efficacy, and efficiency of drug development processes. As AI technologies continue to evolve, ongoing collaboration between regulatory bodies will be essential to adapt these principles and ensure they meet the needs of a rapidly changing landscape in medicine development.

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