Advances in science, data analytics, and digital technology are transforming the landscape of medical treatment, enabling therapies tailored to individual patients rather than generic solutions. However, many healthcare infrastructures globally remain outdated and unable to integrate these innovations efficiently. Without significant upgrades to regulatory processes, funding models, and data-sharing frameworks, the potential benefits of cutting-edge treatments will not reach broad populations, especially in rapidly developing regions like Southeast Asia and India.
The gap between scientific progress and system readiness is widening. While pharmaceutical research delivers increasingly complex therapies—often based on genetic markers or digital monitoring tools—existing approval systems were designed for simpler drugs with straightforward clinical evidence. This mismatch delays patient access and increases administrative burdens. Streamlining regulatory pathways through harmonized approaches, such as a ‘single dossier’ system allowing simultaneous submissions across multiple countries, could reduce approval times by months or even years without compromising safety.
Beyond regulation, reimbursement models must also adapt. Traditional cost-benefit analyses often overlook long-term societal gains, such as reduced hospitalizations, improved workforce participation, and lower caregiver strain. Incorporating broader metrics—including patient-reported outcomes and indirect economic impacts—can support more balanced decisions and enable innovative financing mechanisms like outcome-based contracts.
Digital transformation plays a crucial role in bridging gaps. Artificial intelligence and advanced analytics can connect clinical trial data with real-world evidence and patient feedback, accelerating diagnosis—particularly in rare diseases—and improving care pathways. Leading pharmaceutical firms are already adopting AI-driven discovery platforms and forming digital health partnerships to align research with actual patient needs.
Equally important is placing patients at the center of system design. Their lived experiences offer insights no dataset can replicate, helping identify meaningful outcomes and systemic barriers. Empowering patient voices leads to more equitable policies and sustainable health improvements.
Southeast Asia and India stand at a critical juncture. With rising non-communicable disease rates, aging populations, and growing healthcare demands, these regions must strengthen regulatory capacity, expand regional data infrastructure, and foster multi-sector collaboration. Investment in system readiness is not optional—it’s essential to ensure that breakthroughs in science translate into real-world health gains.
Ultimately, building future-ready healthcare ecosystems is a shared responsibility. Governments, industry leaders, clinicians, and patients must collaborate to create systems that support innovation while guaranteeing access regardless of income or location. The science has advanced; now institutions must catch up.
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Next-generation medicines need evolved healthcare systems
Health and Healthcare Systems n nWhy next-generation medicines need more evolved healthcare systems to reach patients n nDec 10, 2025 n nHealthcare services worldwide must adapt to keep up with medical innovation. Image: Photo by freestocks on Unsplash n nEric Mansion n nGeneral Manager, Pharma – SEA & India and MCO Lead , Sanofi n nThis article is part of: Centre for Health and Healthcare n nAcross the world, advances in science, data and technology are redefining possibilities in healthcare. n nYet, without robust healthcare system investment, the benefits of scientific advances will remain out of reach for much of the world. n nWith courage and collaboration, we can build a healthier, more equitable future, where every scientific breakthrough translates into a breakthrough in someone’s life. n nPharmaceutical innovation is entering one of its most exciting chapters. Across the world, advances in science, data and technology are redefining possibilities in healthcare. We’re seeing a shift away from a world of ‘one-size-fits-all’ treatment to one where medicines can be personalized. Data and digital tools help us predict and detect disease earlier and deliver care in new, more targeted ways. n nThis shift represents enormous hope for patients, with the potential to change the course of chronic diseases, improve quality of life and even prevent illness altogether. Yet, despite these extraordinary breakthroughs, too many patients still face long waits for new treatments to reach them, if they have access at all. n nInnovation alone is not enough. Without robust healthcare system investment, the benefits of scientific advances will remain out of reach for much of the world. n nA growing gap between science and systems n nAcross Southeast Asia and India, the pace of scientific progress has far outstripped the ability of health systems to absorb it. While we are developing next-generation medicines that can target diseases at their molecular roots, many regulatory frameworks, reimbursement pathways and funding models are still lagging, unable to embrace the wave of medical innovation we’re witnessing. They were built for simpler medicines and more predictable evidence requirements. Now, treatments are becoming increasingly complex, often relying on genetic data, biomarkers or digital health tools. These advances demand new ways of assessing value, as well as new models of collaboration between regulators, payers, healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical industry. n nInnovative therapies are emerging at an unprecedented pace and, while we’ve achieved remarkable progress in the past, our healthcare systems must now evolve to keep up with that pace. Innovating healthcare systems does require significant investment, but these investments are essential. The proof is in the remarkable progress we’ve already achieved as a result of investment: n nCancer’s diminishing shadow: Just 40 years ago, a cancer diagnosis meant survival odds of roughly 49%. Today, over two-thirds of patients (69%) survive across all cancer types. Behind those numbers are millions of people who got to see their children graduate, meet their grandchildren and pursue dreams they thought were lost. n nCardiovascular breakthroughs: The 60% drop in cardiovascular mortality across OECD countries since 1960 represents countless family celebrations not missing a loved one, careers that continue to flourish and a massive reduction in caregiver burden. n nDiscover n nWhat is the World Economic Forum doing to improve healthcare systems? n nThe Global Health and Strategic Outlook 2023 highlighted that there will be an estimated shortage of 10 million healthcare workers worldwide by 2030. n nThe World Economic Forum’s Centre for Health and Healthcare works with governments and businesses to build more resilient, efficient and equitable healthcare systems that embrace new technologies. n nLearn more about our impact: n nGlobal vaccine delivery: Our contribution to COVAX resulted in the delivery of over 1 billion COVID-19 vaccines and our efforts in launching Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has helped save more than 13 million lives over the past 20 years. n nDavos Alzheimer’s Collaborative: Through this collaborative initiative, we are working to accelerate progress in the discovery, testing and delivery of interventions for Alzheimer’s – building a cohort of 1 million people living with the disease who provide real-world data to researchers worldwide. n nMental health policy: In partnership with Deloitte, we developed a comprehensive toolkit to assist lawmakers in crafting effective policies related to technology for mental health. n nGlobal Coalition for Value in Healthcare: We are fostering a sustainable and equitable healthcare industry by launching innovative healthcare hubs to address ineffective spending on global health. In the Netherlands, for example, it has provided care for more than 3,000 patients with type 1 diabetes and enrolled 69 healthcare providers who supported 50,000 mothers in Sub-Saharan Africa. n nUHC2030 Private Sector Constituency: This collaboration with 30 diverse stakeholders plays a crucial role in advocating for universal health coverage and emphasizing the private sector’s potential to contribute to achieving this ambitious goal. n nWant to know more about our centre’s impact or get involved? Contact us. n nThe need for systemic change n nAccelerating access to breakthrough therapies requires a rethink of the entire healthcare value chain, with regulatory reform a critical part of the equation. We need faster, more adaptive regulatory systems that can evaluate innovative treatments efficiently, while maintaining safety and quality standards. Many countries are already experimenting with collaborative reviews, reliance pathways and real-world evidence to shorten approval times, but these efforts need stronger regional coordination and investment. n nA key recommendation is implementing a ‘single dossier’ approach for regulatory approvals across multiple countries or regions. This harmonized approach would allow pharmaceutical companies to submit identical application packages to different regulatory authorities simultaneously, dramatically reducing duplication of efforts and administrative burden. By leveraging shared scientific assessments, while respecting local contexts, a single dossier system could cut approval timelines by months or even years, bringing life-changing treatments to patients faster, without compromising safety standards. Regional initiatives that build towards this harmonization would represent a significant step forward for patient access. n nMarket access, pricing and reimbursement models must also evolve to meet the needs of patients. Many health systems rely on frameworks that measure cost and benefit in narrow terms, yet we know that the true value of innovation often extends far beyond immediate clinical outcomes. Therapies that prevent hospitalization, allow patients to return to work or reduce the burden (both physical and mental) on families, deliver long-term economic and social value that should be recognized and rewarded. n nBy expanding our value frameworks to incorporate patient-reported outcomes, indirect economic benefits and long-term healthcare utilization impacts, we can make more holistic investment decisions. These comprehensive frameworks enable innovative financing models, like outcome-based contracts and risk-sharing arrangements, that align incentives across the healthcare ecosystem, while ensuring sustainable access to breakthrough medicines. n nIntegrating patients into every stage of the process n nPerhaps the most important shift we need is cultural, rather than structural. For too long, healthcare systems have been built around institutions, rather than individuals. True progress depends on integrating patients into every stage of the process, because patients can offer insights that no dataset can provide. Their voices and lived experiences help us understand what outcomes matter most, where barriers exist and how care can be made more equitable. Empowering patient voices leads to better policies and, ultimately, more sustainable and meaningful health outcomes. n nDigital transformation can be a powerful enabler here. With the right investment, AI and advanced analytics can connect data across the health ecosystem, linking clinical trials, real-world evidence and patient-reported outcomes. In rare diseases, for example, digital innovation can significantly improve time to diagnosis. Comprehensive registry databases, when combined with machine-learning algorithms, enable more accurate diagnosis by helping clinicians identify complex disease patterns. Digital monitoring tools also allow continuous tracking of disease progression, ultimately shortening the diagnostic journey that rare disease patients often face and improving their overall care pathway. n nLeading pharmaceutical companies are increasingly leveraging AI-powered drug discovery platforms to accelerate the identification of promising therapeutic targets, while simultaneously developing digital health partnerships that bridge the gap between clinical development and real-world patient care. n nBuilding readiness for the next generation of healthcare n nSoutheast Asia and India are at a pivotal moment – the region is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and most diverse populations – and, at the same time, it faces rising rates of non-communicable diseases, ageing demographics and increasing healthcare demand. It’s important to recognize some of the agility and innovation that’s happening in adopting digital health and fostering collaboration between governments, academia and industry, but we have a long way to go to align policy, regulation, finance, technology and community engagement so that innovative medicine can reach those who need it the most. n nWe must invest in capacity-building for regulators, expand regional data infrastructure and encourage multi-stakeholder partnerships that turn innovation into impact. We also have to recognize that access and affordability go hand in hand. A truly smart health system delivers value for every patient, regardless of income or geography. n nA shared responsibility n nThe future of medicine cannot be built by one player alone. Industry, governments, healthcare professionals and patients must work together to shape an ecosystem that encourages innovation, while ensuring that no one is left behind. n nWhether through collaborative clinical trials, digital health partnerships or patient capacity-building initiatives, at Sanofi we are committed to helping health systems in Southeast Asia and India prepare for the next generation of care. n nWe need courage and collaboration. If we can achieve that, the reward is immense: a healthier and more equitable future where every breakthrough in science translates into a breakthrough in someone’s life. n nThe science is ready. The questions now are: Are our systems ready? And, can we afford not to invest in them? n nLoading… n nDon’t miss any update on this topic n nCreate a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses. n nSign up for free n nLicense and Republishing n nWorld Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use. n nThe views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum. n nStay up to date: n nGlobal Health n nMore on Health and Healthcare Systems n nSee all n nDoctors want to use AI, but their patients are less sure n nSustainable AI in healthcare: A model from Saudi Arabia n nWhy regenerative medicine infrastructure must be the next global economic priority n nThe world needs ‘precision globalization’. 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