12th Annual IBA World Life Sciences Conference: navigating change in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape

Ruta Karpiciute

Ellex Valiunas, Vilnius

The 12th Annual International Bar Association (IBA) World Life Sciences Conference, held in Lisbon on 3–5 June 2026, once again brought together leading legal practitioners, in-house counsel, regulators and industry representatives from across the globe to discuss the legal and regulatory developments shaping the healthcare and life sciences sector.

Against a backdrop of rapid technological innovation, geopolitical uncertainty and evolving healthcare policies, the Conference explored many of the issues currently transforming the industry. Sessions covered topics including artificial intelligence in healthcare, digital health, pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement, competition law, intellectual property, compliance, supply chain resilience, sustainability and emerging regulatory frameworks. While healthcare systems remain largely national, discussions throughout the conference highlighted how many of today's legal and regulatory challenges are increasingly shared across jurisdictions, reinforcing the importance of international dialogue and cooperation.

Caption: Attendees enjoying the 12th Annual IBA World Life Sciences Conference, Lisbon, 4 June 2026. Courtesy of Ruta Karpiciute.

A defining feature of the IBA World Life Sciences Conference – and one that many returning delegates look forward to each year – is its series of interactive roundtable discussions. Complementing the plenary sessions, the roundtables allow participants to rotate between several themed tables, engaging in focused discussions on a variety of legal and regulatory topics with different groups of practitioners. This unique format enables delegates to explore multiple issues within a relatively short period of time while benefiting from diverse jurisdictional perspectives and practical experiences. Equally important, the roundtables provide one of the conference's most effective networking opportunities, fostering meaningful professional connections through genuine dialogue and collaborative problem solving. The combination of substantive discussion and relationship-building continues to make the roundtables one of the conference's most valued and distinctive features.

Beyond the Conference programme, Lisbon once again provided an excellent setting for strengthening relationships within the global IBA community. Informal discussions between sessions and at the conference social events further reinforced the collaborative spirit that has long characterised the IBA Life Sciences Committee and continues to make its conferences particularly valuable for practitioners from around the world.

Caption: Attendees enjoying an evening reception at the 12th Annual IBA World Life Sciences Conference, Lisbon, 4 June 2026. Courtesy of Ruta Karpiciute.

The Conference also coincided with the publication of the IBA Healthcare and Life Sciences Law Committee's Global Guide on the Trade and Distribution of Therapeutic Products 2026, featuring contributions from experts in more than 60 jurisdictions. The guide provides a practical overview of national regulatory frameworks governing the trade and distribution of therapeutic products and serves as a valuable resource for lawyers and businesses operating internationally.

As regulation of healthcare and life sciences continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, the conference once again demonstrated the importance of international collaboration, practical knowledge sharing and the strong professional networks that the IBA continues to foster across jurisdictions.