Horizon scanning at EMA: preparing for the medicines of the future

This article provides insights into the European Medicines Agency's approach to horizon scanning as a foresight tool to support early identification, analysis and preparedness for emerging trends, technologies and challenges relevant to medicines development and authorization. Emerging topics are identified through a continuous scanning of several sources of information, including key trends identified by leading institutions such as the World Health Organization, the European Commission Joint Research Centre, and the European Innovation Council. This perspective sets out the scope, impact and outputs of horizon scanning within the European medicines regulatory network, which include topic-specific reports, collaborative workshops and webinars, and contributions to regulatory policy, strategic planning, capacity building and research prioritization. It also emphasizes the European medicines regulatory network's commitment to collaboration and knowledge sharing across European and international organizations. Through these efforts, horizon scanning supports regulatory preparedness and resilience of the European medicines regulatory system.