Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) announced three initiatives on Oct. 12, 2026, designed to streamline clinical research processes and accelerate patient access to new medical products. The measures were presented during the inaugural Health Regulatory Conference in Singapore.
The initiatives were developed in collaboration with Singapore government agencies, including the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), and in consultation with international partners such as the United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The first initiative is the establishment of the HSA-ASTAR Regulatory Science Centre of Excellence. According to the HSA, this center will focus on developing local expertise in regulatory science through specialized training programs and research collaborations. The stated goal is to advance scientific knowledge and capabilities to support the evaluation of new health products.
A second measure introduced is the Accelerated Clinical Trial-Plus (ACT-Plus) Framework. This framework is intended to shorten the review and approval timeline for global clinical trials of certain medical products. The HSA reported that under this new process, the target approval time for bringing a global clinical trial to Singapore will be reduced from 60 working days to 30 working days.
The third initiative is the creation of a new regulatory sandbox, named the Regulatory Sandbox for Innovative Medical Products (RSIM). This program is designed for novel or complex medical products that do not fit within existing regulatory frameworks. The sandbox will allow developers to bring their products to market under controlled conditions, enabling the collection of real-world data to assess safety and effectiveness.
In a statement, HSA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mimi Choong said the initiatives are part of a broader effort to ensure that regulatory processes keep pace with scientific and technological advancements in healthcare. She emphasized the importance of balancing timely access to innovative treatments with established standards for safety and quality.
The conference brought together regulators, academics, and industry professionals to discuss challenges and opportunities in health product regulation. The new measures position Singapore to further participate in the global development of pharmaceuticals and medical technologies.
