CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) Dr. Hisham Aljadhey participated in the Drug Information Association (DIA) 2026 Global Annual Meeting, held from June 14–18 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The event brought together heads of regulatory authorities, global decision-makers, and leading experts in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and regulatory sciences from across the world.
During a panel session titled “Innovation Gridlock: When Misaligned Policies Threaten Progress for Patients,” Dr. Aljadhey emphasized the critical importance of leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in regulatory workflows. He noted that AI technologies can significantly enhance the evaluation of therapeutic innovations and accelerate patient access while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety.
In a roundtable meeting, Dr. Aljadhey engaged with executives from global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, alongside regulatory counterparts from the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, and Brazil. They discussed opportunities to strengthen partnerships in innovation and research, and explored mechanisms to leverage global expertise to elevate the efficiency of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and innovative treatment sectors in Saudi Arabia.
The meeting also featured a series of bilateral meetings with heads and representatives of international regulatory authorities to address the latest trends in advanced therapeutic technologies and the appropriate regulatory models required to govern them. The participants examined operational hurdles facing pharmaceutical manufacturers, emphasizing the proactive responsibility of global regulators in designing balanced, agile solutions that support the research and innovation ecosystem.
This participation reinforces the SFDA’s active presence in international forums and its growing role in the global regulatory dialogue. By expanding its network of partnerships with leading international organizations, the authority continues to foster an enabling regulatory environment for innovation. Furthermore, it highlights the advancement of Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system, directly supporting the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program under Saudi Vision 2030.
The DIA Global Meeting is one of the world’s most prominent international gatherings dedicated to drug development and future regulatory challenges. It brings together more than 4,000 participants from regulatory bodies, pharmaceutical companies, and academic and research institutions worldwide.
Source: Riyadh Daily