13th - 14th November 2025
Agenda
Accelerating Transformation of Life Science, Pharma and Biotech R&D with Automation, AI/ML & Robotics Tools
DAY 1
08:00 - 08:50
REGISTRATION
08:55 – 09:00
CHAIRPERSON’S OPENING REMARKS
09:00 - 09:30
Bayer’s R&D transformation through digital and data science capabilities that boost productivity
- Opportunities and challenges of Pharma R&D
- Transformation potential through Digital and Data Science
- How is this done at Bayer?
- What are our key priorities?
Claudia Dr. Vogt, Chief of Staff R&D Data Science & AI, Bayer AG (Pharma division)
09:30 - 10:00
“Beyond the Bench”: how advanced laboratory automation and data sciences are shaping analytical development strategies
- The session will give a general overview of the analytical development life cycle for biologics development including the challenges encountered in each phase
- The session will cover strategies that can be used to overcome the different challenges during each phase
- The session will touch on approaches for laboratory automation to enable both speed and throughput
- The session will expand on how data models are informing us for new method development
John Den Engelsman, Executive Director, Process Analytical Sciences, Novartis
10:00 - 10:30
QC Lab of the Future: Modernizing Lab Processes and Operations with Best Practices and Technology Implementation for Greater Efficiency
- Digital Enablement: Setting capability foundations and establishing fundamentals for automation, technology and data integration across lab equipment
- Personalizing the digital experience and articulating the benefits of change to stakeholders for streamlined transition, accelerated adoption and continued innovation
- Opportunities and challenges of using robots, cobots, AR, VR and speech interfaces within the lab
- How knowledge-sharing and industry collaboration is essential to drive credible and sustainable change
10:35 - 11:25
COFFEE BREAK
11:30 - 12:00
Unlocking innovation through connected digital ecosystems – faster from molecule to market
An end-to-end digital ecosystem approach is essential to delivering the R&D lab of the future. We will explore the core technologies that make up this ecosystem.
- Leveraging smart lab infrastructure: Enable seamless data exchange, enhance system interoperability and provide real-time instrument monitoring with IoT
- Supporting decision-making with AI: Empower scientists to accelerate discovery, formulation and process development using simulation, digital twins and AI
- Streamlining experiment workflows: Achieve real-time insights, comprehensive data traceability and reproducibility with workflow-based digital design, execution and data capture
- Maximizing efficiency and safety with ‘more hands’: Accelerate routine tasks, reduce errors and drive high-throughput operations through robotics, cobotics and AGVs
12:00 - 12:30
Workflow Execution Interface (WEI): Streamlining Autonomous Scientific Discovery through Open-Source Robotics and Instrumentation Integration
- Progress toward fully automated laboratories through the development of an open-source, extensible and Python-centric software framework
- Enabling scientists to coordinate the diverse instruments and services required for stepwise execution of various experimental workflows using human-readable YAML formatted definitions
- Rapid integration of new instruments with minimal effort and successfully enabled autonomous experimentation in benchmark studies
12:30 - 13:00
Capabilities of KIWI-Biolab’s robotic ecosystem by orchestration of model-based DoEs and fast in-depth analytics for process development in biopharma
- Solving the challenge: an automated lab which combines all elements of bioprocess development
- Self-driven model-based bioprocess development is possible
- Scalability from high throughput stations to industrial scale is a major issue which can be verified through parameter identification
- FAIR data is not only the key to all autonomous operations be also for integrating collaboration into a HT facility
PLANNED INVESTMENT AREAS
- Robotics Process Automation
- Data Sciences and Analytics
- Architectural Design and Lab Planning
- Asset Performance Management
- Laboratory Process Automation
- Laboratory Digital Monitoring Systems
- Transportation & Storage of Biological Materials
- Laboratory Sample & Inventory Management Solutions
- High-throughput screening/ High-content screening
- Laboratory equipment and Furniture
- Asset Finance and Leasing
- Sustainable Equipment, Materials and Decontamination Solutions
- Labware Cleaning and Sterilization
- Energy Efficiency Solutions
- Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality
- Laboratory/Hardware Automation
- Smart Lab Infrastructure
- Mobile Robots
- Cloud Computing
- Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning
- Informatics
- Operational Excellence/Continuous Improvement
- Quality Assurance / Quality Control
- Laboratory Operations & Strategy
- Regulation, Compliance & Validation
- Cybersecurity
- Digital Lab Consulting
- Consulting for AI & ML adoption for Lab Automation
- Sample Analysis and Processing Solutions
- Sustainable Materials Management (SMM)
- Clean Room Solutions
- Environmental Monitoring Solutions
- Design, Build, Quality & Commissioning of Critical Laboratory Facilities
13:05 - 13:55
LUNCH
14:00 - 14:30
ATMP Production: From Today’s Challenges to Tomorrow’s Technological Breakthroughs
- Current state of ATMP production: limitations in scalability, flexibility, and cost
- People and workforce considerations: training, adaptation to automation, and multidisciplinary collaboration
- A glimps at regulatory hurdles
- Vision for the future: scalable, flexible, and cost-optimized ATMP manufacturing through technology-driven solutions
Michael Peter Langner, Group Lead Process Analysis & Transfer, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation
14:30 – 15:00
AI, You, and the Future of Work
- Technology: AI on Tasks
- Key Demographics Influence on Work
- Human in the loop (HITL)
- Conclusions: What can and should we do? “Being Human not just the human in the loop” © 2025 University of Strasbourg
Dave Drodge, Digital Transformation Lead, Roche
15:00 – 15:30
From Data to discovery within smarter labs: Enabling data science and AI in Sartorius lab devices and bioproducts
- Expectations meets reality: Importance of AI/ML integration into lab devices data for simplifying progress
- From reality to vision: Integration of data management solutions to enable AI-driven modelling, enhancing advanced therapy solutions
- Democratizing Complex Modeling: Simplifying and standardizing modeling approaches and workflows to make advanced techniques accessible to lab users
- AI-Driven Knowledge Retrieval System for smart Labs: Streamlining lab workflows by providing structured access to scientific knowledge, enhancing research efficiency
Ali Safari, Senior Data Scientist, Sartorius
15:35 - 16:25
COFFEE BREAK
16:30 - 17:00
A modular approach to robotic lab automation: from simple workstations to the dark lab
- Evolution of robotics: from the factory to the lab
- How can robotics help with today’s R&D lab challenges?
- Collaborative, industrial, mobile, … a robot for every need!
- The robotic lab automation ecosystem
- Use cases: from simple workstations to the dark lab
17:00 - 17:30
Future Trends in Laboratory Automation and Employee Engagement
- Current and Future Trends: customized automation, miniaturization, mobile robots, lab-scale pharma production, and remote labs
- Key examples and associated challenges
- Initial steps and considerations
- Employee Engagement and User Experience: Importance of user experience in driving engagement
PLANNED INVESTMENT AREAS
- Robotics Process Automation
- Data Sciences and Analytics
- Architectural Design and Lab Planning
- Asset Performance Management
- Laboratory Process Automation
- Laboratory Digital Monitoring Systems
- Transportation & Storage of Biological Materials
- Laboratory Sample & Inventory Management Solutions
- High-throughput screening/ High-content screening
- Laboratory equipment and Furniture
- Asset Finance and Leasing
- Sustainable Equipment, Materials and Decontamination Solutions
- Labware Cleaning and Sterilization
- Energy Efficiency Solutions
- Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality
- Laboratory/Hardware Automation
- Smart Lab Infrastructure
- Mobile Robots
- Cloud Computing
- Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning
- Informatics
- Operational Excellence/Continuous Improvement
- Quality Assurance / Quality Control
- Laboratory Operations & Strategy
- Regulation, Compliance & Validation
- Cybersecurity
- Digital Lab Consulting
- Consulting for AI & ML adoption for Lab Automation
- Sample Analysis and Processing Solutions
- Sustainable Materials Management (SMM)
- Clean Room Solutions
- Environmental Monitoring Solutions
- Design, Build, Quality & Commissioning of Critical Laboratory Facilities
17:30 - 18:00
Smarter Drug-making: AI/ML Models in Drug Process Development and Manufacturing
- Although most AI/ML applications in pharma focus on drug discovery, the technology is increasingly being applied in the later stages of pharmaceutical R&D, including development and manufacturing
- This talk will showcase use cases where AI contributed to faster, more robust, data/driven approaches in drug and vaccine development
- Presented use cases include: sequence/based generative models used to optimise mRNA vaccine sequences for improved thermostability; computer vision models for extracting complex product data from CryoEM microscope images; and digital twins that enable real/time simulation and optimization of manufacturing processes
- Applying AI/ML to medicine development is often hindered by scarce training data, but strategies like synthetic data generation, active learning, external data integration, and hybrid modelling techniques can help overcome this limitation
Magdalena Zwierzyna, Scientific Director, Head CMC AI/ML Delivery, GSK
18:00 - 19:00
DRINKS RECEPTION
DAY 2
08:55 – 09:00
CHAIRPERSON’S OPENING REMARKS
09:00 – 09:30
Proposal: Lab Automation, Future Trends, Analytical Chemistry in Pharma Research
- Automated Sample Transport: Enables seamless movement between labs and analytical instruments across buildings or campuses
- Workflow Optimization: Automatically distributes workloads across available instruments, enhancing efficiency
- Remote Access and Collaboration: Allows researchers to submit samples remotely and access specialized analytical methods
- Accelerated Drug Discovery: Enhances efficiency and accelerates decision-making in pharmaceutical research and development
Ingo Muckenschnabel, Senior Manager, Novartis
09:30 – 10:00
Agentic AI in Clinical Data Management
- The data crisis of 2025
- Enter Agentic AI
- Real-Time Collaboration
- Debrief: What just happened?
- Reality Check: How do we get there?
- Summary / Takehome messages
Nicola Götz, Expert Clinical Data Engineer, Boehringer Ingelheim
10:00 - 10:30
Automation in NGS Library Preparation: Efficiency, Scalability, and Compliance for the Pharmaceutical Industry
- Challenges and opportunities in pharmaceutical NGS applications
- Automated sample preparation with the CyBio FeliX
- 21 CFR Part 11-compliant qPCR with the qTOWER iris
- Strategic benefits for pharma: efficiency and scalability
Ines Leonhardt, Product Manager Life Science, Analytik Jena GmbH+Co. KG
Melanie Kelm, Division Manager Lab Automation, Analytik Jena GmbH & Co. KG
10:35 - 11:25
COFFEE BREAK
11:30 – 12:00
Enabling Biopharma Innovation Through Collaborative BioAnalytics
- Advancing Biopharma innovation requires breaking down silos between research, manufacturing, and data science.
- Sartorius is fostering this shift through deep collaboration with academia and industry, uniting advanced BioAnalytics, automation, and AI-driven insight.
- By enabling shared data foundations and interoperable technologies, Sartorius supports more predictive, efficient, and sustainable development processes — turning scientific discovery and process understanding into a continuous cycle of innovation and learning.
Kai Gloth, Head of Product Development, Sartorius Lab Instruments GmbH & Co. KG
12:00 – 12:30
Open Source Laboratory Automation and Generative AI Powered Programming
- Incorporating automation into laboratory work brings significant advantages
- However there are obstacles that can delay successful implementation
- We will explore how combining open source automation together with new tools in the realm of AI can help to reduce these obstacles
12:30 – 13:00
Enhancing Workflow Flexibility for Scalable Protein Expression with CyBio FeliX: A Modular Approach to Plasmid Extraction, NGS Preparation, and Protein Purification
- Adaptable Solutions: Explore how our platform meets diverse experimental needs in rapidly changing research environments
- Configurable Systems: See practical demonstrations of plasmid extraction, NGS preparation, and protein purification
- Efficiency Gains: Understand how to enhance research productivity and reduce time to results through innovative liquid handling
- Enhanced Reproducibility: Discover how we support increasing reproducibility in workflows, ensuring consistent results across experiments
PLANNED INVESTMENT AREAS
- Robotics Process Automation
- Data Sciences and Analytics
- Architectural Design and Lab Planning
- Asset Performance Management
- Laboratory Process Automation
- Laboratory Digital Monitoring Systems
- Transportation & Storage of Biological Materials
- Laboratory Sample & Inventory Management Solutions
- High-throughput screening/ High-content screening
- Laboratory equipment and Furniture
- Asset Finance and Leasing
- Sustainable Equipment, Materials and Decontamination Solutions
- Labware Cleaning and Sterilization
- Energy Efficiency Solutions
- Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality
- Laboratory/Hardware Automation
- Smart Lab Infrastructure
- Mobile Robots
- Cloud Computing
- Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning
- Informatics
- Operational Excellence/Continuous Improvement
- Quality Assurance / Quality Control
- Laboratory Operations & Strategy
- Regulation, Compliance & Validation
- Cybersecurity
- Digital Lab Consulting
- Consulting for AI & ML adoption for Lab Automation
- Sample Analysis and Processing Solutions
- Sustainable Materials Management (SMM)
- Clean Room Solutions
- Environmental Monitoring Solutions
- Design, Build, Quality & Commissioning of Critical Laboratory Facilities
13:05 - 13:55
LUNCH
14:00 – 14:30
Artificial Intelligence Transforming the Future of Pharma
- Accelerated Drug Discovery: AI-driven modelling and virtual screening to identify promising molecules faster
- Smarter Clinical Trials: AI-enabled patient recruitment, adaptive trial design, and real-time monitoring for efficiency and diversity
- Personalised Medicine: Data-driven insights to tailor treatments to individual genetic, lifestyle, and biomarker profiles
- Predictive Manufacturing & Supply Chains: AI forecasting to reduce shortages, optimise production, and ensure quality control
- Regulatory Intelligence: Automating compliance checks, safety monitoring, and regulatory submissions
- Next-Generation Patient Engagement: AI-powered digital health tools to improve adherence, outcomes, and real-world evidence generation
Dr. Munisha Mangal, R&D Leader, Haleon
14:30 - 15:00
ON THE PATH TO FAIR AUTONOMOUS HIGH THROUGHPUT BIOPROCESS DEVELOPMENT
- High Throughput Bioprocess Development
- FAIR data
- Advanced Control of Parallel Mini-Bioreactors
- Workflow Management Systems
M. Nicolas Cruz B., Group Leader, KIWI-biolab, Bioprocess Engineering, TU Berlin