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Hilton Lac-Leamy

Oct 27, 2025 7:30 AM - Oct 28, 2025 3:40 PM

3 Boulevard du Casino, Gatineau, QC J8Y 6X4, Canada

Canada Annual Meeting

The Canada Annual Meeting offers three tracks, Regulatory, Clinical, Safety and Pharmacovigilance!

Session 7, Track A: Navigating the Novel: Multi-faceted Challenges in Rare Disease Treatment in Canada

Session Chair(s)

Amber  McLeod, PhD

Amber McLeod, PhD

Immunology, Virology, and Specialty Head, Regulatory Affairs

Abbvie Corporation, Canada

My  Dang, MBA

My Dang, MBA

Director, Regulatory Affairs

Cencora, Canada

This session will explore regulatory challenges in developing treatments for rare diseases, emphasizing pathways and expert advice to navigate these hurdles. Attendees will recognize diverse challenges associated with first-in-class treatments, analyze the impacts of small patient populations and novel manufacturing on submission strategies, and evaluate the benefits of early scientific engagement and interagency collaboration. Panelists will address unique challenges, share case studies, discuss evidence generation for approval, and highlight the importance of characterization and scientific exchange.

  • When Every Patient Counts: Regulatory Challenges in Rare Diseases: A Sponsor’s Perspective
    Annie Bergevin, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada
  • Health Canada’s Approach for Rare Disease Drug Review
    Bassam Haidar, Health Canada
  • Challenges in Rare Disease Treatment in Canada: Development and Access
    Mauricio Ede, Incyte Corporation

Learning Objective :

At the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to:

  • Identify and explore the unique challenges in developing rare disease drugs where guidelines may not fully apply
  • Evaluate innovative evidence generation and approval strategies for rare drug therapies
  • Appreciate the role of collaboration in regulatory processes to harmonize expectations for advanced therapies

Speaker(s)

Bassam  Haidar, PhD

Health Canada’s Approach for Rare Disease Drug Review

Bassam Haidar, PhD

Health Canada, Canada

Manager, Metabolic and Musculoskeletal Drugs Division, Pharmaceutical Drugs Dire

Annie  Bergevin, MSc

When Every Patient Counts: Regulatory Challenges in Rare Diseases: A Sponsor’s Perspective

Annie Bergevin, MSc

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., Canada

Regulatory Affairs Franchise Lead

Mauricio  Ede, MD, PhD

Challenges in Rare Disease Treatment in Canada: Development and Access

Mauricio Ede, MD, PhD

Incyte Biosciences Canada, Canada

Head of Medical Affairs

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