A Strategic Analysis of Work-Sharing: Access Consortium, Project Orbis, and Project Optimus
Abstract
A more cooperative paradigm is replacing the days of strictly sequential, nation-by-nation drug approvals. Navigating the terrain of international cooperation is now a core competency for the modern regulatory professional rather than a specialized skill. This article goes into detail about three collaborative models that could change the way regulatory affairs professionals work: the Access Consortium, Project Orbis, and Project Optimus. It breaks down the different ways that Access and Orbis share work, which are changing the timelines for submissions, and compares them to Project Optimus, a scientific project that is fundamentally changing the DNA of oncology development. This paper goes beyond merely describing the programs to examine how they operate, what strategic trade-offs they entail, and where they might be able to exert greater influence. The goal is to provide organizations with the information they need to navigate this new, collaborative world and transform regulatory complexity into a competitive edge.
Downloads
References
https://www.technologynetworks.com/drug-discovery/articles/global-regulators-embrace-collaborative-initiatives-370654
2. Access Consortium. Access Consortium Website [Internet]. Access consortium; 2025 [cited 2025 Jul 17]. Available from: https://Accessconsortium.info/
3. Health Canada. Access Consortium: Operational Procedures for the Generic Medicines Work-Sharing Initiative [Internet]. Canada: Canada.ca; 2022 Nov 25 [cited 2025 Jul 17]. Available from;
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/international-activities/Access-consortium/operational-procedures-consortium-generic-medicines-work-sharing-initiative.html
4. Access Consortium Generic Medicines Working Group Mandate. Government of Canada [Internet]. Canada: Canada.ca; 2021Jun 25 [cited 2025 Jul 12]. Available from:
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/international-activities/Access-consortium/generic-medicines-working-group-mandate.html
5. Project Orbis. Therapeutic Goods Administration [Internet]. Australia: TGA; 2023 Oct 25 [cited 2025 Jul 27] Available from:
https://www.tga.gov.au/project-orbis
6. Project Orbis. U.S. Food and Drug Administration [Internet]. US: USFDA; 2024 May 01 [cited 2025 Jul 12]. Available from:
https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/oncology-center-excellence/project-orbis
7. Cencora. Project Orbis Drug Registration white paper. Cencora [Internet]. Cencora; 2025 [cited 2025 Aug 23]. Available from
https://go.cencora.com/l/168232/2025-04-29/5lzp78/168232/1745960233vv6mPJbI/Project_Orbis_white_paper.pdf
8. Singh S. FDA's Project Optimus: What pharma and biotech need to know. Precision for Medicine [Internet]. precisionformedicine.com 2025 Feb 25 [cited 2025 Jul 12] Available from
https://www.precisionformedicine.com/blog/fdas-project-optimus-what-pharma-and-biotech-need-to-know
9. Project Optimus. U.S. Food and Drug Administration [Internet]. US: USFDA; 2024 Dec 06 [Cited 27 Jul 2025]. Available from:
https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/oncology-center-excellence/project-optimus

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
The International Journal of Drug Regulatory affairs require a formal written transfer of copyright from the author(s) for each article published. We therefore ask you to complete and return this form, retaining a copy for your records. Your cooperation is essential and appreciated. Any delay will result in a delay in publication.
I/we have read and agree with the terms and conditions stated Page 2 of this agreement and I/we hereby confirm the transfer of all copyrights in and relating to the above-named manuscript, in all forms and media, now or hereafter known, to the International Journal of Drug Regulatory affairs, effective from the date stated below. I/we acknowledge that the IJDRA is relying on this agreement in publishing the above-named manuscript. However, this agreement will be null and void if the manuscript is not published in the IJDRA.
Download link for COPYRIGHT FORM





