Each week we highlight five things affecting the life sciences industry. Here’s the latest.
AI is moving from experimentation to operational core in clinical trials
- According to an interview conducted by Fierce Biotech, life sciences companies are now using artificial intelligence to reduce administrative burden, improve site and investigator selection, and better identify and size patient populations, making trial execution faster, more efficient and more scalable.
- AI adoption is becoming critical for global trial strategy and market access. Regulatory shifts and pricing pressures are influencing where trials are run and how drugs reach market, making early and strategic AI adoption essential for sponsors across research and development, medical affairs and commercialization.
In vivo approaches emerge as next cell and gene therapy wave
- At Phacilitate’s Advanced Therapies Week in San Diego, industry leaders highlighted growing momentum behind in vivo approaches, which deliver therapies directly inside the body.
- While in vivo therapies could dramatically improve scalability and patient access by avoiding complex ex vivo manufacturing and toxic conditioning regimens, experts cautioned that investment enthusiasm is currently outpacing human clinical data, leaving efficacy and durability still to be proven, according to BioSpace.
Pulsed field ablation solidifying lead in AFib treatment
- At the 2026 AF Symposium in Boston, companies presented new data reinforcing strong and growing demand for pulsed field ablation, with electrophysiologists favoring the technology for its procedural speed, ease of use and durable effectiveness compared with older ablation methods, according to MedTech Dive.
- Device makers showcased promising safety and efficacy data amid intensifying competition. One major company reported early data for one if its devices showing 90% freedom from AFib at one year with no procedure-related adverse events, while another device’s data suggested reduced neurovascular risks, highlighting both rapid innovation and heightened scrutiny as next-generation AFib devices move toward broader adoption.
UK approves first domestically produced mRNA vaccine
- UK regulators have authorized the first mRNA Covid-19 vaccine manufactured domestically for use in the national vaccination campaign, with production expected to supply millions of doses.
- The project is part of a long-term government partnership aimed at boosting local vaccine manufacturing capacity, improving resilience against future health threats, reports The Independent.
China out-licensing deals continue to rise
- According to Bloomberg, China overseas biopharma out-licensing deals surged to record levels, with 2025 deals totaling at least $6 billion in upfront payments and up to $120 billion in potential value; and the trend is continuing into 2026.
- One large pharmaceutical company struck an early-stage R&D collaboration with a Chinese company, paying $350 million upfront and offering up to $8.5 billion in milestone payments to accelerate development of new oncology and immunology drugs.
For more insights in life sciences, check out RSM’s industry outlook.
