Agenda
Filters
AI to Innovate
AI to Optimize
Automated Lab
Connected Lab
Data Strategy
Digital Transformation
Keynote Sessions
Lab Operations
08:30
Introduction to Conference and Opening Remarks
Keynote Sessions
08:35
Moderator’s Introduction and Overview
Michael Shanler, VP Distinguished Analyst, Gartner
08:40
Driving Digital in BioPharma
Julie Huxley-Jones, VP Research, Pre-clinical and Manufacturing, Data, Technology & Engineering, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
08:55
Embracing Digital and Tech: Looking to the Future of Biopharma R&D
Avak Kahvejian, General Partner, Flagship Pioneering
09:10
GenAI – the Ultimate Lab Partner? Supporting the Modern Scientist in the Data Driven Lab of the Future
Don Rainville, Global Lab Innovation Hub Lead, Accenture
09:25
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Michael Shanler, VP Distinguished Analyst, Gartner
Julie Huxley-Jones, VP Research, Pre-clinical and Manufacturing, Data, Technology & Engineering, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Avak Kahvejian, General Partner, Flagship Pioneering
Don Rainville, Global Lab Innovation Hub Lead, Accenture
Keynote Sessions
09:40
Creating a Data Ecosystem that enables the Lab of the Future
Hans Bitter, Head of Computational Science and Data Strategy, Senior R&D leadership team, Takeda
10:10
Data, AI, Physical and Digital Automation – Delivering on the promise of the digital laboratory
Ryan Snyder, Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer , Thermo Fisher Scientific
10:25
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Hans Bitter, Head of Computational Science and Data Strategy, Senior R&D leadership team, Takeda
Ryan Snyder, Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer , Thermo Fisher Scientific
Karen Billeci, Vice President High Throughput Operations, Recursion
10:40
Coffee Break and Networking Session in the Exhibition Room
Keynote Sessions.
11:25
The Novartis Digital Transformation Journey
Steve Winig, Executive Director, Novartis
11:40
Delivering Results in Digital Transformation: A Perspective on Execution and Impact
Aishwarya Balajee, Head of Digital Services, Zifo
11:55
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Steve Winig, Executive Director, Novartis
Aishwarya Balajee, Head of Digital Services, Zifo
Patrick Pijanowski, Managing Director & Founder, Scientia Advisory Services
Keynote Sessions
11:25
Applying AI/ML to Bring Transformative Medicines to Patients
Enoch Huang, Vice President of Machine Learning and Computational Sciences, Pfizer
11:40
Building the Scientific AI Factory: From Moonshots to Mass Production
Siping Wang, Co-Founder, CTO, TetraScience
11:55
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Enoch Huang, Vice President of Machine Learning and Computational Sciences, Pfizer
Siping Wang, Co-Founder, CTO, TetraScience
John Overington, formerly, Chief Data Officer, Exscientia
Keynote Sessions.
12:10
The Future of Lab Research at Novo Nordisk
James Love, Vice President, Automation and Process Optimization, Novo Nordisk
12:25
Digital Transformation & Research Tooling
Todd Lybrook, Solution Owner Digital Labs, Siemens
Mads Torry Smith, Head of Digitalization, Planetary Health Biosolutions & Application Research, Novonesis
12:40
Panel Discussion and Q&A
James Love, Vice President, Automation and Process Optimization, Novo Nordisk
Todd Lybrook, Solution Owner Digital Labs, Siemens
Mads Torry Smith, Head of Digitalization, Planetary Health Biosolutions & Application Research, Novonesis
Keynote Sessions
12:10
Implementing AI and Other Emerging Technologies in Lab Informatics
Al Wang, Executive Director, Emerging Methods & Technologies, Research IT, Bristol Myers Squibb
12:25
Implementing Disease Biology AI co-pilot at scale in Preclinical R&D
Casandra Mangroo, SVP of Product & Science, BenchSci
12:40
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Al Wang, Executive Director, Emerging Methods & Technologies, Research IT, Bristol Myers Squibb
John Overington, formerly, Chief Data Officer, Exscientia
Casandra Mangroo, SVP of Product & Science, BenchSci
12:55
Congress Lunch and Networking in the Exhibition Room
AI to Innovate
13:55
From AI to Action: Integrating Science and Risk-Sharing in Drug Discovery
Alison Jones, Senior Director, Chemistry, Charles River Laboratories
14:05
AI Based Drug Discovery: It’s a Reality!
Abhishek Pandey, Global Lead Of Pharma Discovery, AbbVie
14:30
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Alison Jones, Senior Director, Chemistry, Charles River Laboratories
Abhishek Pandey, Global Lead Of Pharma Discovery, AbbVie
John Overington, formerly, Chief Data Officer, Exscientia
Automated Lab
13:55
Developing an Enterprise Laboratory Platform (ELP) in Support of Automation of Laboratories
Peggy Weber, Director Laboratory Systems, Sarepta Therapeutics
14:05
Automated Pipeline for the Capture, Cleaning, and Visualization of Data for Upstream Process Development
Ethan Penner, Senior Scientist , Sanofi
14:15
The effects and challenges of a decentralized laboratory testing ecosystem
Tamara McKenna, Director – Global Scientific LIMS Sales, Clinisys
14:30
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Peggy Weber, Director Laboratory Systems, Sarepta Therapeutics
Ethan Penner, Senior Scientist , Sanofi
Tamara McKenna, Director – Global Scientific LIMS Sales, Clinisys
Leah O’Brien, Head, Laboratory Digital and Tech, GSK
Digital Transformation
13:55
Developing a Digital Platforms for Labs in an Innovation Ecosystem Spanning Multiple Modalities
Jagat Adhiya, Head of IT & Digital Transformation, Bayer
14:30
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Jagat Adhiya, Head of IT & Digital Transformation, Bayer
Automated Lab
14:45
Lab of the Future Project at Moderna – An Update
Mohit Goel, Principal Engineer, Applied Technologies, Moderna Therapeutics
14:55
Next Generation High Throughput ELISA Automation Platform
Roberto Padilla, Senior Scientist, Analytical Development , AbbVie
Greg Sjogren, Senior Laboratory Automation Engineer, AbbVie
15:20
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Mohit Goel, Principal Engineer, Applied Technologies, Moderna Therapeutics
Roberto Padilla, Senior Scientist, Analytical Development , AbbVie
Greg Sjogren, Senior Laboratory Automation Engineer, AbbVie
Data Strategy
14:45
Applying Healthcare-Specific LLMs to enhance Drug Discovery
Vishakha Sharma, Senior Principal Data Scientist, Roche
14:55
Smart Labs, Smarter Science: AI and Synthetic Biology in Modern Biopharma
Christopher Lundy, Senior Principal Enterprise Architect, Pfizer
15:20
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Vishakha Sharma, Senior Principal Data Scientist, Roche
Christopher Lundy, Senior Principal Enterprise Architect, Pfizer
Andreas Matern, Director, Independent Consultant
Digital Transformation
14:45
Digital Transformation in CMC through Transformation of End-to-End Workflows: Progress & Challenges
Mohan Boggara, Digital Transformation Leader, Sanofi
Christelle Le Beaudour, iCMC Digital Transformation Product Manager, Sanofi
14:55
The Journey of Raising Digital Fluency in CMC at GSK
Sandy Chang, Digital Transformation Associate Director , GSK
15:05
ELaiN—The AI Scientific Assistant: How Quickly They Grow Up
Rob Brown, Global VP of Product , Sapio Sciences
15:20
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Mohan Boggara, Digital Transformation Leader, Sanofi
Christelle Le Beaudour, iCMC Digital Transformation Product Manager, Sanofi
Sandy Chang, Digital Transformation Associate Director , GSK
Rob Brown, Global VP of Product , Sapio Sciences
15:35
Afternoon Tea and Networking the the Exhibition Room
Connected Lab
16:20
Overcoming the Challenges in Managing the Diversity in Hardware
David Smithson, Director Lab Automation and Instrumentation, Pfizer
16:30
Developing Scalable Digital Workflows
Paul Bolfing, Lab Systems Business Lead, Pfizer
16:40
Using CDS Data Analytics to Address Data Integrity Challenges in cGMP Laboratories
Donny Preiss, Associate Director IT Lab Applications, MannKind Corporation
16:55
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Paul Bolfing, Lab Systems Business Lead, Pfizer
David Smithson, Director Lab Automation and Instrumentation, Pfizer
Donny Preiss, Associate Director IT Lab Applications, MannKind Corporation
Data Strategy
16:20
Building Our Biologics Informatics Ecosystem-Powering Our Large Drug Discovery Pipeline
Timin Hadi, Director, R&D Informatics, Amgen
16:30
Revolutionizing Chromatography Data Analytics: A Data-Driven Approach to Digital Transformation
Pankaj Aggrawal, Associate Principal Scientist, Merck
16:55
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Timin Hadi, Director, R&D Informatics, Amgen
Pankaj Aggrawal, Associate Principal Scientist, Merck
Andreas Matern, Director, Independent Consultant
Digital Transformation
16:20
Digital Transformation of Bioprocess Development Labs
Diana Bowley, Associate Director, Data and Digital Strategy , AbbVie
16:30
Digital Journey of Pfizer Biologics R&D
Yuan Lin, Senior Manager, Biologics Partner, Pfizer
16:40
Rethinking the Scientific Data Journey: From Project to Product Mindset
Dave Dorsett, Chief Digital Officer, Astrix
16:55
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Diana Bowley, Associate Director, Data and Digital Strategy , AbbVie
Yuan Lin, Senior Manager, Biologics Partner, Pfizer
Cindy Novak, Associate Director, R&D Systems, Avidity Biosciences
Dave Dorsett, Chief Digital Officer, Astrix
17:10 ET
Live Labs Sessions
Keynote Sessions
Michael Shanler, VP Distinguished Analyst, Gartner

Live Lab sessions are interactive group discussions which tackle the bigger questions of the day in an open forum to brainstorm ideas and discuss the roadblocks to break-through innovation. They take the format of moderated standing discussions. The objective is to share views and experiences to stimulate new ways of thinking about common objectives.

Michael Shanler VP Distinguished Analyst, Gartner

Michael is a VP Distinguished Analysts on Gartner’s Healthcare & Life Science CIO Industry team.  He advises clients on digital business transformation and helps with decisions on technologies that support R&D and Manufacturing IT strategy.  Michael helped coin and champion “digital lab of the future” and has extensive knowledge of laboratory informatics, business process, and IT trends. He advises executives on issues extending across the entire value chain – from early R&D all the way through QC and manufacturing.

 

Prior to joining Gartner, Mr. Shanler supervised an R&D engineering staff at BD Biosciences where he was focused on new product development (NPD) and technology development and scientific activities. He drove new initiatives and assessed external technologies and acquisition candidates. He also has experience in developing strategic technology and product roadmaps, leading NPD programs,  managing project teams, marshalling innovation efforts, and driving collaborations. While at Pfizer (formerly Genetics Institute), he gained practical experiences in informatics, data automation, and lab instrumentation for drug discovery.  Michael has a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University and has had several patents issued in the scientific space.  He has lived on four different continents and is married to a university professor with whom he has 3 children. Michael has a passion for travel, cooking, race cars and alpine skiing.

17:40 ET
Drinks Reception
18:40 ET
Close of Day 1
Keynote Sessions
09:05
Moderator’s Introduction and Overview
Becky Upton, President, Pistoia Alliance
09:15
Developing and rolling out a transformational vision for R&D Operations
Gisele Tavares, Head of R&D Business Operations, Takeda
09:45
New Research Technologies Driving Innovative Medicines Discovery and Development
Brian Vandahl, SVP, Head of Global Research Technologies, Novo Nordisk
10:00
The Scientist of the Future: Empowering Scientific Discovery through Smart Technology
Tola Olorunnisola, SVP & GM Services, Avantor
10:15
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Becky Upton, President, Pistoia Alliance
Gisele Tavares, Head of R&D Business Operations, Takeda
Brian Vandahl, SVP, Head of Global Research Technologies, Novo Nordisk
Tola Olorunnisola, SVP & GM Services, Avantor
Keynote Sessions.
10:35
Takeda’s Digital Infrastructure to Support Research and CMC Labs
Cathy Kuang, Sr. Director - Head of Research Technology and Lab Systems, Takeda
10:50
Making Data GenAI Ready
Marc Smith, Lead Product Manager, Process Development, IDBS
11:05
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Cathy Kuang, Sr. Director - Head of Research Technology and Lab Systems, Takeda
Marc Smith, Lead Product Manager, Process Development, IDBS
Christian Baber, Chief Portfolio Officer, Pistoia Alliance
Keynote Sessions
10:35
Placing High Throughput and Flexible Data Generation at the Center of the Lab with Modular Automation and Software Tools
Jason Kelly, CEO and Co-Founder , Ginkgo Bioworks
11:05
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Jason Kelly, CEO and Co-Founder , Ginkgo Bioworks
11:20
Coffee Break and Networking in the Exhibition Room
Automated Lab
12:00
Automating The Data Journey to AI-Enabled Large Molecule Research
Drew Lynch, Digital Biologics Informatician and Team Lead, Sanofi
12:15
Development and Automation of a SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization Assay
Sharanya Iyer, Manager , Moderna
Cindy Nguyen, Automation Engineer , Moderna
12:45
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Drew Lynch, Digital Biologics Informatician and Team Lead, Sanofi
Sharanya Iyer, Manager , Moderna
Cindy Nguyen, Automation Engineer , Moderna
Yves Fomekong Nanfack, Head of End to End AI Foundations, Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi
Digital Transformation
12:00
Unlocking the Power of Data: Strategies for Successful Digital Transformation in Pharmaceutical Development
Jordan Stobaugh, Director, Scientific Architecture - CMC, AbbVie
Mira Hinman, Director, Scientific Architecture, Development Sciences Digital Transformation, AbbVie
Mohit Agnihotri, Senior Director, Development Sciences Data & Digital Strategy, AbbVie
12:30
Beyond the Hype: AI-Readiness & Practical Implementation of AI in the Lab
Richard Lee, Director, Core Technology and Capabilities , ACD/Labs
12:45
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Jordan Stobaugh, Director, Scientific Architecture - CMC, AbbVie
Mira Hinman, Director, Scientific Architecture, Development Sciences Digital Transformation, AbbVie
Mohit Agnihotri, Senior Director, Development Sciences Data & Digital Strategy, AbbVie
Richard Lee, Director, Core Technology and Capabilities , ACD/Labs
Leah O’Brien, Head, Laboratory Digital and Tech, GSK
Lab Operations
12:00
The Power of Low Tech – More Science, Less Tickets
Thibaut Lagny, Head of Portfolio Management and Operations - Genomic Medicines Unit Research, Sanofi
12:45
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Thibaut Lagny, Head of Portfolio Management and Operations - Genomic Medicines Unit Research, Sanofi
13:00
Lunch and Networking in the Exhibition Room
Automated Lab
14:00
Lab of the Future and Downstream Process Development
Jennifer Pollard, Senior Director - Modeling and Digital Strategy, Bristol Myers Squibb
14:15
Novel Technologies in Automation and Robotics and How They Are Being Applied to a Particular Use Case in Research and CMC
David Chang-Yen, Prinicipal Research Scientist, AbbVie
14:45
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Jennifer Pollard, Senior Director - Modeling and Digital Strategy, Bristol Myers Squibb
David Chang-Yen, Prinicipal Research Scientist, AbbVie
Cindy Novak, Associate Director, R&D Systems, Avidity Biosciences
Digital Transformation
14:00
Driving Digital Change Through Feedback: GSK’s Listening Lab
Douglas Scheesley, Director of Continous Improvement Program Management, GSK
14:15
Shaping Tomorrow’s Laboratories: The Role of Digital Transformation in Realizing the Vision of the Future Lab
Kausheek Nandy, Digital Transformation Director - Research , Boehringer Ingelheim
14:45
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Douglas Scheesley, Director of Continous Improvement Program Management, GSK
Kausheek Nandy, Digital Transformation Director - Research , Boehringer Ingelheim
Leah O’Brien, Head, Laboratory Digital and Tech, GSK
Lab Operations
14:00
Taking a Holistic and Continuous Approach to Improving Lab Infrastructure
Anna Greenswag, Director Lab and Infrastructure Continuous Improvement, Ginkgo Bioworks
14:15
Getting your Lab Sustainability Strategy off the Ground: A Case Study in Roll-Out of My Green Labs Programs
Partha Krishnan, Sustainability and Biosafety Lead, Sanofi
14:45
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Anna Greenswag, Director Lab and Infrastructure Continuous Improvement, Ginkgo Bioworks
Partha Krishnan, Sustainability and Biosafety Lead, Sanofi
AI to Optimize
15:00
Multimodal Data Integration in Target Discovery and Disease Progression Modelling
John Chan, Head of ShinrAI Center for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Takeda
15:15
Advancing Laboratory Analysis with AI-Powered Chatbots
Michail Vlysidis, Senior Engineer, AbbVie
15:45
Panel Discussion and Q&A
John Chan, Head of ShinrAI Center for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Takeda
Michail Vlysidis, Senior Engineer, AbbVie
Connected Lab
15:00
Developing a Seamless Workflow for the Digital Scientist
Melissa Coughlin, Sr. Business Partner, Biopharmaceutical Development, Early Vaccines & Immune Therapies, AstraZeneca
15:15
Emerging Trends in Drug Discovery – Bridging the Technology Gap
Brian Good, Senior Research Advisor, Eli Lilly
Jeffrey Nye, Scientific Director, Bristol Myers Squibb
15:45
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Melissa Coughlin, Sr. Business Partner, Biopharmaceutical Development, Early Vaccines & Immune Therapies, AstraZeneca
Brian Good, Senior Research Advisor, Eli Lilly
Jeffrey Nye, Scientific Director, Bristol Myers Squibb
Yves Fomekong Nanfack, Head of End to End AI Foundations, Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi
Data Strategy
15:00
Fortifying Research: A Collaborative Approach to Cybersecurity in Novartis’s Labs
Eric Mabie, Technical Director Lab Technologies, Novartis
15:15
Applying Generative AI to the DMTA Cycle
Nick Brown, Director, Global Portfolio Leader, Certara.AI
15:45
Panel Discussion and Q&A
Eric Mabie, Technical Director Lab Technologies, Novartis
Nick Brown, Director, Global Portfolio Leader, Certara.AI
Tim Hoctor, Advisor, Evolvus
16:00
Keynote Reflections and Projections : Actions, Takeaways and Next Steps for the Lab of the Future
Keynote Sessions
Julie Huxley-Jones, VP Research, Pre-clinical and Manufacturing, Data, Technology & Engineering, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Anshul Agarwal, Partner, ZS
Hans Bitter, Head of Computational Science and Data Strategy, Senior R&D leadership team, Takeda
Steve Winig, Executive Director, Novartis
Julie Huxley-Jones VP Research, Pre-clinical and Manufacturing, Data, Technology & Engineering, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Anshul Agarwal Partner, ZS

Anshul leads ZS’s global supply chain and manufacturing practice. For over 15 years, he has advised senior leadership teams at both Fortune 500 and emerging companies on topics such as business capability building, transformation and enabling analytics to drive commercial success.
Anshul has a unique blend of supply chain and manufacturing domain knowledge and transformative solution-building expertise. He helps organizations drive customer satisfaction and revenue, optimize supply chain resource allocation, streamline processes and drive innovation to maximize business value. Anshul’s expertise includes supply chain digitalization, predictive and self-learning supply chain solutions, integrated business planning, re-imagining and defining supply chain for complex therapies such as cell and gene.

Hans Bitter Head of Computational Science and Data Strategy, Senior R&D leadership team, Takeda
Steve Winig Executive Director, Novartis

Steven Winig is the Executive Director of Technology and User Services (TUS) at Novartis Biomedical Research. The TUS organization enables 5,300 researchers across multiple international campuses. Before joining Novartis, Steven held senior IT leadership roles at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, served as a Principal at American Management Systems, Inc., and was a Director at Computer-Ed, Inc. He holds a BS in Computer Science from The Johns Hopkins University and lives by the mantra that relationships matter. Known as the resource of last resort, Steve is often called upon to tackle the most nuanced challenges. Interestingly, his college advisor stating that AI will be the future has proven to be prophetic, albeit a few decades early.

16:45
Close of Congress