Innovative diagnostic technologies: navigating regulatory frameworks through advances, challenges, and future prospects

Abstract

Diagnostic tools are key to guiding patient management and informing public health policies to control infectious diseases. However, many diseases still do not have effective diagnostics and much of the global population faces restricted access to reliable, affordable testing. This limitation underscores the urgent need for innovation to enhance diagnostic availability and effectiveness. Developing diagnostics presents distinct challenges, especially for innovators and regulators. Unlike medicines, regulatory pathways for diagnostics are often less defined and more complex due to their diverse risk profiles and wide range of products. These challenges are amplified in low-income and middle-income countries, which often do not have regulatory frameworks for this specific purpose. In the UK, initiatives aim to support innovation by providing clearer regulatory pathways and ensuring that diagnostics are safe and effective. Regulators are also collaborating internationally to expedite diagnostics for high-need regions. Harmonised standards, regulatory frameworks, and approval processes are essential to ensure consistent quality and safety across regions and facilitate faster development and global access. This Series paper explores the regulatory challenges in infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance diagnostics, focusing on the UK's response and the broader global efforts to address these issues.