This year, the Regulatory Science Network Netherlands (RSNN) is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Over the past 10 years, the RSNN has successfully brought together stakeholders from the regulatory field. The RSNN output has helped set the agenda for regulatory innovation in the Netherlands and beyond. FAST has been working with the RSNN for several years to help improve regulatory frameworks and develop new innovations so that therapies reach patients faster and more efficiently.

Background RSNN
The RSNN was established in 2015 during the FIGON Dutch Medicines Days. It was initially a collaboration of the Medicines Evaluation Board (CBG), the TI Pharma (now Lygature) Escher project and the Dutch Society for Pharmaceutical Medicine.

The aim when RSNN was founded was to bring together and strengthen national research networks in the field of regulatory science. Over the years, the RSNN has grown into an extensive network of experts and stakeholders from regulatory parties, industry, academia, patient representatives and government agencies, among others. The RSNN’s mission is to promote an efficient and effective regulatory system that supports the development, market authorisation, access and appropriate use of medicines. The RSNN shares and disseminates knowledge and contributes to setting the agenda for follow-up research.

Network activities
To reinforce its mission, the RSNN organises several activities every year. These include an RSNN workshop on a current regulatory topic and several expert meetings, where specific regulatory topics are explored in more depth. Besides organising its own activities, the RSNN is also regularly represented at externally organised conferences, events and meetings.

As an output, the RSNN publishes reports of meetings and encourages the publication of relevant articles based on RSNN activities, with the aim of promoting national and international debate on regulatory science. Network participants receive regular news about developments in the field through our newsletters, website and LinkedIn channel.

RSNN and FAST collaboration
FAST has been collaborating with the RSNN for several years to evaluate regulatory pathways and requirements, and to identify, advance and implement new methods and technologies so that new therapies can reach patients faster and more efficiently. On the RSNN advisory board, FAST is represented by Marlous Kooijman. For example, in 2024, the RSNN Advanced Therapies Special Interest Group organised a workshop with FAST in which the need was identified to establish a national platform that could facilitate interaction, knowledge exchange and collaboration within the Dutch ATMP field. The desire for such a platform was widely supported and has since led to concrete steps towards further cooperation in the field of ATMPs in the Netherlands (ATMP-NL).

RSNN anniversary activities
In 2025, the RSNN will organise several events and host networking sessions during external events highlighting the 10th anniversary. Keep an eye on the RSNN website: www.rsnn.nl