Tigermed EMEA Articles

Latest FDA Developments Shaping Clinical Trials in 2025–2026

Written by Tigermed EMEA | Nov 23, 2025 2:52:15 PM

 

What Sponsors, Researchers and CROs Need to Know — Insights from Tigermed EMEA

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to influence global clinical research through updated guidances, new accepted endpoints, and evolving regulatory expectations. For sponsors and research partners operating internationally, staying aligned with the latest FDA directions is essential for designing high-quality, inspection-ready studies.

 

At Tigermed EMEA — part of the Tigermed Group, a leading global CRO — we monitor these developments closely to support sponsors with compliant, accelerated, and patient-centered clinical strategies.

 

1. New FDA-Recognized Clinical Endpoint for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

 

FDA now officially recognizes reduction in WHO-based drinking risk levels as a valid primary endpoint in clinical trials for Alcohol Use Disorder.

 

Why this matters

  • Trials no longer need to focus solely on complete abstinence.

  • Sponsors can design studies that reflect more realistic, patient-centered outcomes.

  • Recruitment may become easier and more representative.

 

How Tigermed EMEA supports:

We help optimize endpoints, define measurement tools, develop protocol language aligned with FDA expectations, and ensure robust data quality for behavioral and addiction-related studies.

 

2. FDA Finalizes Guidance on Patient-Focused Drug Development (PFDD)

 

The new PFDD guidance reinforces that clinical trials must capture what matters most to patients — symptom burden, quality of life, daily functioning, and treatment tolerability.

 

Key implications

  • Study protocols must justify the relevance of each patient-reported outcome (PRO).

  • Stakeholder input (patients, caregivers, clinicians) becomes part of the evidence package.

  • Increased expectations for transparency and patient-centric data.

 

How Tigermed EMEA supports:

Our teams integrate validated PRO instruments, digital patient engagement tools, and data strategies that reflect real-world impact — ensuring submissions meet both regulatory and patient expectations.

 

3. Accelerated Reviews and Innovations in Targeted Therapies

 

FDA continues to prioritize breakthrough treatments across multiple therapeutic areas:

  • Priority Review granted for Merck’s Winrevair (sotatercept) label update, based on strong Phase 3 PAH data.

  • New oncology approvals, including innovative HER2-targeted therapies and AML assets such as ziftomenib, highlight the continued importance of precision medicine.

 

What this means for sponsors

  • High-quality Phase 2/3 data remain the strongest driver of expedited pathways.

  • Biomarker strategy and molecular stratification are increasingly essential.

  • Academic–industry collaborations are accelerating translation from discovery to approval.

 

How Tigermed EMEA supports:

We deliver full-service oncology programs — including biomarker-driven designs, central lab coordination, global site activation and expert regulatory pathways — enabling sponsors to meet FDA’s expectations for innovative therapies.

 

4. Regulatory Reform: Transparency, Single IRB, and Updated Safety Expectations

 

FDA is reinforcing its commitment to transparency and traceability in clinical research.

 

Highlights

  • Shorter reporting timelines for posting study results on ClinicalTrials.gov.

  • Expansion of single-IRB (sIRB) requirements for multicenter studies.

  • Increased expectations on diversity of study populations.

  • Continued shift in oncology dose-selection (Project Optimus) from MTD to “optimal biologic dose.”

 

How Tigermed EMEA supports:

We provide full regulatory and operational oversight across EU–US trials, ensuring alignment with sIRB requirements, diversity plans, dose justification frameworks, and ClinicalTrials.gov compliance.

 

Looking Ahead — What Sponsors Should Prepare For in 2026

 

Expect stronger focus on:

 

 

  • Adaptive and Decentralized Trial Designs (DCTs)

  • Digital endpoints and real-world evidence

  • Inclusive recruitment strategies

  • Clear dose-optimization rationale, especially in oncology

 

 

At Tigermed EMEA, we continue to invest in innovative operational models, digital ecosystems, and regulatory intelligence to ensure our partners stay ahead of evolving global requirements.