Mexico's challenges to excel in global clinical research

One of the latent unknowns surrounding the current administration is whether it will truly unleash Mexico's potential to attract investment in clinical research. This would generate benefits in many ways, including better healthcare, but at this time, the country is barely capturing a fraction of that investment. In 2024, it attracted about $200 million, according to the Mexican Association of Pharmaceutical Research Industries (AMIIF), and the expectation is that it could multiply tenfold, to about $2 billion. This is a challenge that is far from simple, but neither distant nor far-fetched.

Just consider that the global pharmaceutical industry invests more than $240 billion annually in research and development (R&D) of new molecules.

In recent years, there has been fierce competition to attract these resources. Countries like Brazil, Argentina, and even Eastern European nations like Romania and Hungary are increasingly attracting them. Mexico must accelerate its pace to avoid being left behind. The country has a robust hospital infrastructure, trained physicians, and a population with unmet medical needs, but regulatory and structural obstacles relegate it to a secondary role in global clinical research.

In a recent interview with Sigfrido Rangel, GSK's medical director in Mexico, he highlighted the pharmaceutical industry's commitment to positioning the country as a center for clinical research. GSK, one of the leading global pharmaceutical companies, operates 89 research centers in Mexico with more than 900 patients participating in clinical studies. This figure reflects the country's relevance within the region, but also its lag. In Latin America, Mexico ranks third in the number of studies, behind Brazil and Argentina, which have simplified their regulatory processes by approving protocols more quickly. Countries with shorter regulatory times are those that benefit most quickly.

The global landscape is even more competitive. Of the 500,000 clinical trials registered worldwide, the majority are concentrated in the United States and Europe, where countries like Spain lead in the number of patients and trials. In contrast, Latin America accounts for less than a third of global trials, and Mexico, although prominent in the region, fails to stand out. According to Rangel, GSK invests nearly one million pesos in clinical research in Mexico, but this figure could triple or quadruple if the approval process were truly streamlined. This limitation not only restricts investment but also deprives thousands of patients of access to innovative treatments.

Clinical research not only involves developing new drugs; it also improves the quality of medical care. Hospitals participating in clinical trials offer closer patient monitoring and higher quality of care, which improves health outcomes. Patients in these trials are treated by expert physicians and receive rigorous follow-up. Furthermore, Rangel explains, the industry's investment finances personnel, materials, and other hospital research, generating a positive impact beyond the trials themselves. In Mexico, where chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer are a growing burden, this model could transform the healthcare system.

It remains to be seen whether Mexico will overcome regulatory complexity and reduce its protocol approval times, thereby leveraging resources from pharmaceutical companies working against the clock to comply with international agency requirements. Even Central America—Panama and Costa Rica—are getting into the game, aware of the economic and scientific benefits.

Mexico, with its infrastructure and talent, could well promote a national strategy that prioritizes clinical research. Greater involvement there would position the country as a relevant player in global scientific development, not just as an executor of studies designed abroad. Attracting more investment in the future would allow Mexico to participate in earlier phases of studies, where local researchers could influence the design of protocols based on the needs of the population. "Understanding how Mexicans respond to medications is key to making better therapeutic decisions," concludes the GSK executive.

The path to Mexico becoming a leader in clinical research requires collaboration between the government, industry, and hospitals. Streamlining regulatory processes, investing in training, and promoting early-stage research are essential steps. In a world where medical innovation is advancing by leaps and bounds, Mexico cannot continue to lag behind in this area. The opportunity is there: to become a leader in Latin America and beyond, bringing hope to patients and strengthening the healthcare system. Time is running out, and the competition is not waiting.

Huawei's smart bracelet promises to measure blood pressure

An interesting competition is emerging in wearables that monitor health indicators. The Chinese telecommunications multinational Huawei has just launched its blood pressure monitoring bracelet, and if it gains the trust of cardiologists, many will recommend it as a tool for managing hypertension. Every person with hypertension has a unique pattern of altered blood pressure rhythms, which must be identified for treatment. To achieve this, it is crucial to perform constant out-of-office measurements for at least 24 hours. The new HUAWEI WATCH D2 is being promoted as a qualified device capable of such monitoring, that is, an Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) device. It turns out that this HUAWEI smartwatch integrates a mechanical airbag built into the strap, which is key to providing accurate medical-grade information to the user. In China and Europe, it has received approval from health regulators. It remains to be seen whether it will obtain authorization from Cofepris in Mexico. If so, it will be a major success, as there are many Mexicans with high blood pressure.