Switzerland's drug regulatory authority Swissmedic has launched a groundbreaking fast-track procedure for clinical trial applications, dramatically reducing review times to accelerate patient access to innovative treatments. The pilot program, which began in July 2025, cuts processing times by one-third for certain clinical studies while maintaining rigorous safety standards.
Accelerated Review Timeline
Under the new fast-track system, Swissmedic will process applications for clinical trials with known investigational medicinal products in just 20 days, down from the standard 30-day review period. For first-in-human studies involving new active substances or novel treatment approaches, the review time drops from 60 days to 40 days.
This acceleration places Switzerland at the forefront of international clinical trial processing. In comparison, similar procedures in the European Union often require more than 50 days for completion, giving Switzerland a significant competitive advantage in attracting clinical research.
Prioritizing High Medical Need
The fast-track procedure specifically targets studies addressing areas of high unmet medical need. Priority is given to clinical trials investigating treatments for diseases where no approved therapeutic options currently exist in Switzerland. This strategic focus ensures that the most critically needed medical innovations receive expedited review.
The system also fast-tracks studies involving known investigational drugs that have previously undergone regulatory review, leveraging existing safety and efficacy data to streamline the approval process.
Safety Standards Maintained
Despite the accelerated timelines, Swissmedic emphasizes that patient safety remains the paramount concern. All existing regulatory requirements will continue to be met under the fast-track procedure, ensuring that the shortened review periods do not compromise the thoroughness of safety evaluations.
Pilot Program Structure
The fast-track initiative operates as a pilot project through the end of 2026, as the legal framework for permanent implementation has not yet been established. Swissmedic anticipates that legislative amendments to formalize the procedure could be enacted as early as 2027.
During the pilot phase, pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and healthcare facilities will benefit from the reduced processing times, enabling more efficient initiation of clinical trials and faster delivery of innovative treatments to patients.
Strengthening Research Leadership
This initiative builds on Switzerland's established position as a leading location for clinical research. The fast-track procedure represents part of Swissmedic's broader effort to enhance the country's competitiveness in attracting pharmaceutical research and development activities.
The regulatory authority previously demonstrated its commitment to supporting clinical research by reducing fees for non-commercially funded clinical trial applications by 80 percent in the previous year, further lowering barriers to conducting innovative medical research in Switzerland.
