Session (CTI)

Issue: The life sciences ecosystem is often described as a linear pathway from discovery through clinical development, regulatory approval, health technology assessment (HTA), adoption, and patient care. This model has shaped the system, but critics argue it no longer reflects modern healthcare innovation. Advances in personalised medicine, RWE, AI, and learning health systems have exposed the limitations of a linear framework. Feedback loops between patients, health systems, policymakers, regulators, industry and HTA bodies remain fragmented, leading to evidence gaps, misaligned incentives, inefficiencies, and delays in translating innovation into improved outcomes. This panel will debate whether the traditional ecosystem should be replaced by a dynamic “infinite-loop” model characterised by continuous feedback, bidirectional knowledge flows, and proactive demand signalling. A central question is whether HTA should evolve from a downstream assessment process into a strategic integrative mechanism linking policy, innovation, adoption, and population health outcomes. Overview: This 60-minute issue panel will bring together representatives from HTA, policy, industry, academia, healthcare delivery, and patient communities to debate the future architecture of the life sciences ecosystem. The moderator will provide a five-minute introduction, followed by brief opening perspectives from each panellist. A structured discussion with the panel and audience will explore the issue from a 360-degree system perspective, identify areas of consensus and divergence, and consider key design elements of a future model, including roles, feedback mechanisms, and system components. Audience participation will be integrated throughout the discussion, and the session will conclude with a summary and next steps. The panel will be of interest to HTA professionals, policymakers, payers, regulators, industry, clinicians, and researchers. By presenting multi-stakeholder perspectives, the panel will challenge assumptions and stimulate discussion on how HTA can contribute to a more responsive, equitable, and sustainable ecosystem.