Advancing FDA New Approach Methodologies from animal models through digital twins.

Eadie, Ashley L; Lynch, Holly Fernandez; Scheinerman, Naomi; Parikh, Ravi B · NPJ Digit Med · 2026

expert_opinion · Level V

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Abstract

In April 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced immediate steps toward replacing animal testing for drug evaluation with New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)-modern laboratory techniques mimicking human tissues. However, significant gaps exist between current regulatory frameworks and these technologies' promise. We argue that specific comprehensive regulatory reforms will improve transition to human-relevant drug-evaluation methodologies, laying groundwork for digital twins, in silico trials, and transformative advances in precision medicine.