9:00 a.m.

Registration and Exhibition Hall Opens

Guests arrive, network and explore innovations from the PPD Clinical Research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific, selected partners and other contributors from across the clinical research ecosystem.

10:30 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Session

A welcome and introduction to the day, framing how innovation improves study design and delivery, supports sites and clinical teams, and creates better experiences and outcomes for patients.

Sebastian Pacios, M.D., Senior Vice President and President, Clinical Research, Thermo Fisher Scientific

11:00 a.m.

Patient Focus

What Patients Need Innovation to Solve

A patient-centered discussion exploring where clinical trials continue to create friction, uncertainty and unnecessary burden. Patient advocates and those closest to trial delivery will consider how innovation can improve access, understanding, participation, safety and trust, ensuring that future trial models solve problems that genuinely matter to participants.

Facilitator: Jenna McDowell, Executive Director, Strategy & Insights, Patient First Digital Solutions, Clinical Research, Thermo Fisher Scientific

Panelists: Danielle Drachmann, Scientific Affairs Specialist, Clinical Research, Thermo Fisher Scientific & Executive Director, Ketotic Hypoglycemia International; Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Representative; Rose Blackburne, VP, Head of Population Science Strategy & Women’s Health, Clinical Research, Thermo Fisher Scientific; Tahira Alves, Principal Investigator, TrialMed

11:45 a.m.

Industry Spotlight Session

Sponsor Perspective: Solving Today’s Challenges, Shaping What’s Next

Senior leaders from biotech and biopharma will share their perspectives on the challenges shaping clinical development today, how their organizations are responding, and where they see the greatest need for continued innovation. Drawing on their broader experience, speakers will reflect on what is working now, where gaps remain, and which changes could have the greatest impact on how clinical trials are designed and delivered in the years ahead.

Speaker(s): Announcing Soon

12:30 p.m.

Networking Lunch

An opportunity for attendees to continue discussions, connect with peers and explore the exhibition area.

1:30 p.m.

Regulatory Keynote

How the Regulatory Environment Can Impact Innovation

Explore FDA and global regulatory initiatives to drive faster evidence generation and decision-making, while maintaining oversight, patient safety, and data quality.

Speaker: Gerri Baer, VP, Medical Science & Strategy, Clinical Research, Thermo Fisher Scientific

2:00 p.m.

Partnership Spotlight Session

Building a More Connected Trial Ecosystem

A showcase of how collaboration across the clinical research ecosystem can unlock greater value from innovation. Through partnerships examples of Thermo Fisher’s clinical research offering, sponsors and technology partners, the session will explore how connecting capabilities, data and expertise can help reduce fragmentation, address real trial challenges and create a more integrated path from innovation to impact.

Speakers: Mayank Anand, VP, Integrated Data Services, Clinical Research, Thermo Fisher Scientific
Richard Tsai, VP/GM, Patient First Digital Solutions, Clinical Research, Thermo Fisher Scientific
Partners Announcing Soon

2:45 p.m.

The Thermo Fisher Scientific Clinical Research View

How We Are Rewiring the Trial

A view of how Thermo Fisher Scientific is bringing together capabilities across clinical development to create a more connected trial model. The session will explore the combination of clinical operations, sites, laboratories, endpoint data, patient access, digital capabilities and enterprise services, alongside the technologies already available today and those beginning to reshape the future of trial delivery.

Alberto Fernandez, Head of Clinical Development Strategy & Innovation, Clinical Research, Thermo Fisher Scientific & Krishna Cheriath, VP, Digital and AI, BioPharma Services – Clinical Research and Pharma Services, Thermo Fisher Scientific

3:30 p.m.

Break

Networking and exhibition viewing.

4:00 p.m.

Futurist Keynote

AI in Clinical Research: From Hype to Real-World Impact

A grounded examination of where AI can genuinely improve clinical research—and where expectations need to be challenged. The session will explore human and machine collaboration, the future of clinical roles, responsible adoption, trust, governance and the importance of keeping human accountability at the center of AI-supported decisions.

Speaker: Announcing Soon. A recognized leader at the forefront of innovation in clinical research and medicine development.

4:40 p.m.

Future-Focused Panel

What Must Change Next

A forward-looking discussion focused on the next three to five years of clinical research. Representatives from sponsors, sites, partners and the PPD clinical research business will consider the changes required across technology, operating models, behaviors and partnerships—and identify what the industry must do now to move from isolated innovation toward a more connected, adaptive and continuously learning research ecosystem.

Facilitator: Mike Cioffi, VP/GM, Neuroscience, Clinical Research, Thermo Fisher Scientific

Panelists: Pedro Coelho, Founder and CEO, Biorce; Cris Nieto, President, Clinical Development Services, Clinical Research, Thermo Fisher Scientific; Chris Fikry, President, Endpoint Data, Clinical Research, Thermo Fisher Scientific.

5:15 p.m.

Closing Remarks

A reflection on the central themes from the day and the actions required to convert discussion into progress. The session will outline how attendees can continue the conversation, engage with Thermo Fisher clinical research teams and participate in future collaboration and early-adopter opportunities.

Alberto Fernandez, Head of Clinical Development Strategy & Innovation, Clinical Research, Thermo Fisher Scientific & Krishna Cheriath, VP, Digital and AI, BioPharma Services – Clinical Research and Pharma Services, Thermo Fisher Scientific

5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Networking Reception and Exhibition

Informal networking, discussion and demonstrations within the exhibition area.