In this episode of the IQVIA podcast, Daniel Mora-Brito, Engagement Manager, Global Health, Thought Leadership, examines the growing urgency of addressing obesity as a central driver of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and what is at stake if action is delayed. Joined by Johanna Ralston, CEO, World Obesity Federation; Claudia Martínez, Director of Research, Access to Medicine Foundation; and Helen McGuire, Global Lead, NCDs, PATH, the discussion explores how governments and global institutions can elevate obesity within national and global NCD agendas through stronger advocacy, policy prioritization, prevention, and system level responses. The conversation also unpacks the evolving role of treatment and innovation and outlines the concrete steps needed to ensure access is equitable, sustainable, and aligned with long term public health goals.

Enjoyed this content? Check out out white paper "Expanding the toolbox for obesity prevention and treatment in low- and middle-income countries: What does it take to make it happen?" for further insights.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept in life sciences—it’s here, transforming drug safety and pharmacovigilance at an unprecedented pace. But as the industry embraces automation and advanced analytics, one truth stands firm: innovation without governance is a risk no one can afford.
In this episode of The Top Line, we explore how AI is reshaping drug safety while governance sets the guardrails for ethical, compliant, and sustainable adoption. Our featured guest, Marie Flanagan, Regulatory and AI Governance Lead at IQVIA Safety Technologies, dives deep into why governance isn’t just a checkbox—it’s the backbone of responsible AI deployment in healthcare.
Key Themes You’ll Discover:

The Dual Imperative: Innovation and Oversight
AI promises speed, accuracy, and scalability in pharmacovigilance, from case intake to signal detection. Yet, without robust governance frameworks, these benefits can quickly turn into liabilities. Learn why embedding governance into AI design from day one is critical—and why retrofitting controls later is a recipe for risk.

Shared Responsibility Across Stakeholders
Governance isn’t the job of one team. Flanagan explains how compliance, technology, business units, and regulators must collaborate to ensure AI systems are ethically designed, technically validated, and transparent. Discover how this multi-layered approach builds trust and resilience in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.

Principles That Matter: Human Oversight, Fairness, Accountability
From mitigating bias to ensuring explainability, guiding principles are more than buzzwords—they’re operational necessities. We unpack how these principles translate into practical steps, including continuous monitoring, feedback loops, and adaptive controls that evolve with technology.

Compliance as an Enabler, Not a Barrier
Traditionally seen as a brake on innovation, compliance teams can become catalysts for safe progress. Hear how organizations are reframing compliance roles to support innovation while safeguarding patient safety and regulatory integrity.

Global Regulatory Context
With frameworks like the EU AI Act and U.S. federal memoranda shaping expectations, companies must navigate a complex web of international standards. Flanagan shares insights on harmonizing governance strategies across jurisdictions without slowing down innovation.

Practical Playbook for Life Sciences
From zero-touch case processing to agentic AI in signal workflows, we spotlight real-world use cases that demonstrate how governance and technology can coexist—and thrive. Learn how IQVIA’s Vigilance Platform integrates governance into every layer of AI-driven pharmacovigilance.

Why This Matters Now
AI adoption in pharma is accelerating, with 85% of top companies prioritizing AI as a strategic imperative. But speed without structure can lead to compliance gaps, reputational damage, and patient risk. This episode equips you with the insights to innovate responsibly, ensuring your AI journey is both ambitious and anchored in governance.

Tune in for actionable strategies, expert perspectives, and a candid conversation on the future of drug safety in the AI era. Whether you’re a regulatory leader, technology strategist, or business decision-maker, this episode will help you balance the promise of AI with the principles that protect patients and preserve trust.

Join IQVIA Thought Leaders, Sarah Rickwood and Kirstie Scott as they discuss key changes in the launch environment. Hear about the rising importance of the private market (led by, but not limited to obesity medications) and how pharma must quickly adapt to AI-enabled HCP self-empowerment.

In this episode, Dr. Paul Beresford, Senior Vice President of Biopharma Partnerships at PathAI, shares perspectives on how artificial intelligence is transforming pathology workflows, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, and supporting precision medicine. Discover practical insights on AI integration, regulatory alignment, and the evolving partnership between technology and clinical expertise in diagnostics.

Host: Michaela Miller, Practice Lead, U.S. MedTech Technology & Analytics, IQVIA

Featured Speaker: Paul Beresford, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Biopharma Partnerships, PathAI

In this episode, Stefan Lutzmayer, from IQVIA’s EMEA Thought Leadership team, speaks with Özgür Tuncer, CEO & Executive Director of Stablepharma, about the growing complexity of the pharmaceutical cold chain and how innovation could make it more resilient, sustainable, and accessible.

IQVIA’s EMEA Thought Leadership team analyses major trends shaping the pharmaceutical market and their implications for healthcare systems and companies across the region.

You’ll hear about:

• Why “keeping it cold” is more than logistics—it’s about safety, equity and sustainability.
• Where breakdowns happen in practice, from transport to site of administration.
• Why the cold chain is not just an issue of low- and middle-income countries.
• How hidden costs and emissions make the cold chain a big topic for healthcare systems around the world.
• The promise of thermostable technology to reduce waste, cut costs and expand access globally.

Listen in for practical insights on how the next decade of cold-chain innovation could reshape the future of biologics and global health.

For more insights, read IQVIA’s white paper “Tip of the Iceberg: Economic and Environmental Impact of the Vaccine Cold Chain.”

Welcome to “Debunking Value, Access & Pricing Myths”—a podcast series from IQVIA’s Value and Payer Evidence team where we explore the transformations underway in healthcare pricing and market access - challenging outdated norms and shedding light on the new realities shaping our work.

In the second episode, your host Rebecca Coady, Principal at IQVIA, is joined by her colleague Katrin Lamp. Together, they take on a myth “Pricing in Germany is always transparent.”

Katrin, who is a principal at IQVIA and an expert in the German market, shares her perspectives on the major changes to drug pricing in the largest EU pharmaceutical market, Germany, and what this means for pricing strategy development and price management – they cover what you need to know about the changing pricing rules, including the opportunity for confidential pricing.

In this episode presented by IQVIA, BioSpace’s head of insights Lori Ellis discusses the importance of target product profiles, particularly when navigating funding challenges, with Ian Fisher, head of development analytics.

In this episode, BioSpace’s head of insights Lori Ellis discusses how AI transformation can help organizations navigate a rapidly evolving regulatory environment with senior director of regulatory innovation and technology, Michelle Gyzen.

In this episode, BioSpace’s head of insights Lori Ellis discusses the FDA’s first draft guidance for AI in drug development, published in January 2025, with Archana Hegde, Senior Director, PV systems and innovations at IQVIA.

In this episode, BioSpace’s head of insights Lori Ellis discusses the evolving role of local qualified persons for pharmacovigilance with ⁠Ana Pedro Jesuíno⁠, global head local QPPV network at IQVIA.