Trackers

Trackers

Trackers monitor key cases, legislation, consultations, guidance documents, reports, opinions and other events for certain areas of law. See:

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Life sciences cases tracker—UK is intended to be used to track the progress of UK cases relevant to the life sciences sector
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Life sciences cases tracker—EU is intended to be used to track the progress of EU cases relevant to the life sciences sector
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Life sciences tracker—UK is intended to be used to track the progress of UK legislative proposals and current consultations relevant to the life sciences sector
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Life sciences tracker—EU is intended to be used to track the progress of EU legislative proposals and current consultations relevant to the life sciences sector
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Patents tracker—UK is intended to be used to track the progress of key patent judgments, legislative proposals and consultations in the UK
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Patents tracker—EU is intended to be used to track the progress of key patent judgments, legislative proposals

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Latest Life Sciences News

Commission publishes draft Biotech Act and related GMO directive

The European Commission has published the draft European Biotech Act and a related draft directive on genetically modified micro-organisms, setting out new measures to boost EU biotech competitiveness, accelerate clinical trials and strengthen biosecurity, alongside announcing with the EIB Group a new initiative to mobilise €10bn investment for the sector.

Commission proposes regulation to simplify medical device rules

The European Commission has published a proposal to amend the Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) and In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR) aimed at simplifying regulatory requirements and reducing administrative burdens on manufacturers. The proposal introduces streamlined conformity assessment procedures, dedicated pathways for breakthrough and orphan devices, regulatory sandboxes for innovative technologies, and enhanced coordination between national authorities. It expands the European Medicines Agency's role in supporting expert panels and coordinating national competent authorities, while introducing new digitalisation measures and international cooperation mechanisms. The changes respond to implementation challenges since the MDR took effect in May 2021 and IVDR in May 2022, including capacity constraints at notified bodies and disproportionate compliance costs that have threatened device availability.

ASA rulings—17 December 2025

Six complaints have been received by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) about ads for weight-loss medicines and services, including the promotion of prescription-only medicines (POMs), irresponsible body-image messaging and gender stereotypes, and claims that a medicine can help in ways that go beyond its authorised indication. The ASA has upheld the complaints.

MHRA launches regulatory innovation corridor with Singapore to fast-track healthcare technologies

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) have established a Regulatory Innovation Corridor to accelerate patient access to breakthrough health technologies. This initiative allows companies to engage with both regulators simultaneously, obtain early joint advice, and streamline clinical trial design to reduce duplication and delays. The collaboration targets high-impact areas such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, obesity, rare conditions, and advanced diagnostics, while maintaining rigorous safety standards. Flagship Pioneering will be the first company to access the corridor, providing regulators early insight into its portfolio of next-generation genetic medicines, precision immunology, and digital health solutions.