From Advocacy to Action: Ivyctory Solutions Reflects on Two Years of Progress Since Falling Walls

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As Falling Walls 2026 convenes in Berlin, Dr. Zaher Nahle, Ivyctory Solutions CEO, reflects on his 2024 call to action and subsequent landmark FDA and HHS advances toward human-relevant biomedical research.

BETHESDA, Md. - Marylandian -- Two years ago, the conversation centered on advanced human-cell models, the scientific limitations of animal testing, and regulatory barriers to wider adoption of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). Technologies were advancing, but institutional acceptance remained a formidable challenge.

"What a difference two years can make," said Nahle. "When we gathered at Falling Walls in 2024, we were advocating for changes that had yet to materialize. Today, many of those priorities are finding expression in federal policy and institutional commitments."

On April 10, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a landmark roadmap to reduce reliance on animal testing. A sustained series of actions followed, including December 2025 draft guidance streamlining nonclinical safety studies for monoclonal antibodies, May 2026 draft guidance addressing certain oncology pharmaceuticals, and initiatives supporting NAM evaluation and regulatory acceptance.

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Momentum extended beyond FDA. Federal agencies announced investments in human-relevant research, scientific infrastructure, and funding opportunities. On September 21, 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled coordinated initiatives involving FDA, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other federal programs. By then, HHS reported more than 20 initiatives supporting human-based research and reducing reliance on animal models.

Together, these developments signal a sustained shift in federal priorities and a significant achievement for researchers, innovators, advocates, and policymakers working to modernize biomedical research.

"This is a moment worth celebrating," Nahle added. "Progress did not occur spontaneously. It reflects years of sustained scientific argument, public engagement, and collective advocacy. We should recognize how far we have come without losing sight of the work ahead."

Challenges remain. Regulatory recognition does not guarantee adoption, and emerging technologies must demonstrate reproducibility, predictive performance, and improved human outcomes.

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Yet these challenges should not obscure the progress achieved. The conversation has changed, federal priorities have shifted, and foundations for further modernization are taking shape.

"Falling Walls challenges us to imagine which barriers science can overcome," Nahle concluded. "The wall has not entirely fallen, but it has unmistakably begun to give way. What was once an argument for change is becoming a national commitment to act. The next task is to turn that commitment into better science, stronger evidence, and meaningful benefits for patients."

https://falling-walls.com/programme/overcoming-animal-testing-advanced-cell-models

About Ivyctory Solutions

Ivyctory Solutions is a market research and strategic advisory firm specializing in biomedical innovation, life sciences, regulatory affairs, and public policy. It provides evidence-based analysis, market intelligence, and strategic insights to evaluate emerging technologies and navigate evolving scientific and regulatory landscapes.

Website: https://www.ivyctory.com

Media Contact
info@ivyctory.com


Source: Ivyctory Solutions, LLC
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