On 26 October 2026, the annual roundtable between the SCTO, swissethics and Swissmedic took place in Bern, bringing together key stakeholders and partner organisations for strategic dialogue and operational exchange.

This year marked an important step towards enhancing the exchange with the authorities through the introduction of a dedicated strategic meeting. Senior representatives from the SCTO, swissethics and Swissmedic came together to discuss key strategic topics, including submission fees, inspections and associated costs, and regulatory harmonisation.

In addition to this strategic meeting, the established roundtable continued to address operational matters. Discussions focused on serious breaches, the development of best-practice guidance for the informed consent process, decentralised clinical trials, and sponsors’ oversight responsibilities.

The two complementary formats provided an opportunity to address both strategic and practical challenges, fostering continued collaboration and supporting the advancement of clinical research in Switzerland.