December 2026
Speakers
Michael Peter Langner
Research Department Manager, Pharmaceutical and Bioproduction Technology
Research Department Manager, Pharmaceutical and Bioproduction Technology
Dr. Ingo Muckenschnabel
University degree in analytical chemistry with specialization on LC/MS technology for the quantification of therapeutics in-vitro and in-vivo. PhD in pharmaceutical chemistry working on an experimental cancer chemotherapeutic approach by a combination of enzymes and co-administered cytostatic drugs. Post-doc in identification of markers in stress response at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland. Over 23 years now working as researcher at Novartis and currently in the position of manager within the field of automated open access analytics to provide fast result data for scientists in their daily research programs.
Kyle Tansill
Prior to leading Digital Manufacturing Strategy in Saint Gobain’s Life Sciences business unit, I had 15 years of experience in electrical installation, maintenance and automation engineering. This experience, coupled with a child-like curiosity in the power of technology, has led me to drive initiatives that focus on providing value in the trenches of the shop floor. Alongside a degree in Computer Science I hold vocational qualifications in electrical installation, machinery safety, automation engineering and Agile methodology. My greatest passion now is to find a way to bind people, technology and the business to drive ‘universe denting’ operational change over the isolated successes I have witnessed since the conception of i4.0
THOMAS ALTMANN
Thomas has 23 years experience as a technical consultant providing consultation on cleaning process optimization for pharmaceutical, API, biotechnology and cosmetic/personal care manufacturers in Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa. He is an expert in cleaning validation for product contact surfaces across all types of pharmaceutical and personal care production equipment. He is experienced in addressing regulatory inspection findings related to cleaning processes – and with implementing CAPA plans to prevent re-occurrence. Thomas has developed more than 1500 cleaning programs/recommendations for pharmaceutical and personal care industries over the past five years. He regularly contributes to presentations and workshops for thought leading and standardsetting organizations: ISPE (International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering), Informa LifeScience, VDMA and FDANEWS. Thomas contributed to the ASTM E55 Cleaning Task Group (ASTM Sciences and Risk-based Cleaning Process development and Validation) and published related articles as a co-author in “Pharmaceutical Engineering” as well as “Pharmaceutical Online” and “Biotechnology Online”. Prior to joining Ecolab, Thomas worked in the healthcare/pharmaceutical and food industries.
Dr. Trixie Wagner
Since 2022 Lead Lab Informatics & Lab Automation (LILA) Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Biomedical Research Basel (Switzerland)Paul Klaassen
Paul Klaassen has more than 30 years of experience in the biotech industry, in different disciplines and different roles. The highlights of his career are the development of second generation of bioethanol yeast, and the development of innovative dairy culture solutions. Lab automation and screening have often been central in his work. He is currently principal scientific lab automation and screening at dsm-firmenich.Dr. Trixie Wagner
An internationally experienced crystallographer, analytical chemist and passionate scientist with more than 20 years of experience in industrial pharmaceutical research. Has led a diverse Analytics group for 13 years, integrated physicochemical properties and separation technologies and built up an automation team from scratch. Her curiosity and her passion for science, technology, processes and data have inspired the creation of a new group at her current workplace: Lab Informatics & Lab Automation (LILA). LILA’s mission is to catalyze the digital transformation of synthetic chemistry and build a machine-readable data culture.Dr. Börries Brandenburg
As a virologist and Scientific Director in R&D at Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), Dr. Börries Brandenburg was critically involved in JnJ’s Covid-19 vaccine development. He led the antigen design for a universal influenza vaccine program currently in the clinic. His team develops and automates assays to analyse the humoral responses in different clinical programs, such as Influenza and RSV.Graham Young
Graham is passionate about governance, risk & compliance. In his role as Enterprise Sales Director he enjoys supporting highly regulated customers across the life sciences sector to achieve operations excellence that algins to their business needs & objectives. Graham has worked with Ideagen for over 7 years & knows first-hand the value Ideagen’s solutions bring to our customers each day. Helping to centralise data, improve leadership overview, create a reporting culture & minimise operational risks. Graham enjoys speaking with businesses to learn about their pains & problem solving to find a the best solution to support their digital transformation.Hugh Devine
Hugh oversees the company’s sales and growth strategy. He is trained in US & EU IT Regulatory requirements and has led pilot projects for key IT systems within the regulated space. He has significant experience in Product and IT Design Control Validation, Data Centre qualification, Product and IT Quality Strategies, System Implementation, Computer System Validation, commercialisation of Software as a Service applications all for the Life Science and Health IT Industries inclusive of HIPAA and GDPR compliance.Seshasai (Sesh) Kandrakota
A versatile leader with nearly 3 decades of industry experience carrying extensive experience in digital transformation and process manufacturing Industry. An alum of Reliance, TCS, IBM and Accenture; Sesh now, as President of Caliber, leads the Global Business.Axel Sinner
Axel Sinner currently holds the position of Director in the Life Sciences Industry at Capgemini Invent, showing his most recent achievement in a career that covers consultancy, pharmaceuticals, and biophysics. Starting his professional journey with Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, Axel's knack for strategic insights and forward-thinking quickly became evident. This prowess propelled him into strategic roles within the pharmaceutical industry, at renowned companies such as Merck KGaA and Grünenthal. His consultancy trajectory also saw notable stints at Camelot Management Consultants, where he worked in the spin-off of Hypertrust Patient Data Care. This venture seamlessly merged the innovative potentials of blockchain technology with the dynamic world of personalized medication. Further enriching his consultancy portfolio, Axel made significant contributions to Deloitte's Life Sciences Team, orchestrating transformative solutions with his deep-rooted industry knowledge. Behind the strategist lies a dedicated scientist. With a solid grounding in biophysics, Axel's work on lipids and vesiculation holds resonance in today's age, especially in the thriving realm of mRNA medications.Krisztian Kaszas
With over 10 years of experience in laboratory automation and digitalization, Krisztian blends laboratory process automation and experimental data management to build self-service workflows, bringing walk-away automation using complex integrated systems within the reach of most laboratory employees. As a Senior Scientist at Johnson & Johnson, Krisztian developed fully automated sample testing processes from the ground up, supporting vaccine discovery and development. He also spearheaded the implementation of a validated Laboratory Information Management System, fully digitalising experimental data flow. Krisztian is committed to creating the lab of the future in the present: make experimental knowledge generation faster, cheaper and better through the synergy of automation and digitalization.
Marc Vorderman
Marc is the Director for the Europe Region at Caliber. With over 25 years of invaluable Business IT experience, he specializes in the Pharma, Food, and Chemicals industry. Deeply passionate about digitalization and the endless opportunities it can bring to Pharma quality operations, Marc actively contributes by publishing articles, giving lectures, and conducting workshops that tackle the complexities of data convergence, distinguishing between "Doing Digital and Being DigitalIan Pepper
Ian is Director Technology Innovation at Novartis. In this role Ian tracks new and emerging technology with a view to strategy, adoption and scale-up within the organisation. Current areas of focus include emerging AI technologies such as distributed learning and large language models, along with quantum computing; 5G and edge compute. Prior to joining Novartis, Ian was CTO at a number of Irish and international companies. He is a frequent conference speaker, a published author and inventor with a number of US and European patents.Alexis Charaudeau
After completion of a bachelor in organic chemistry I’ve joined Sanofi to work in medicinal chemistry then late development until I joined process chemistry working on route scouting for alternative route. I’ve been in charge of implementation of High-throughput experimentation. Since then, I’m running it at Sisteron, South of France in collaboration with US based team in Cambridge Crossing. Since September 2023 I’ve joined National Graduate School of Chemistry of Montpellier as a 3rd year student.David Wolton
Operations Director with 38 years’ experience in Biopharmaceutical manufacturing and facility design. David has worked for Takeda, PM Group, AGC Biologics, Élan, Wyeth (Pfizer) and Lonza. Special areas of interest include large scale mammalian cell culture, OPEX reduction, lean manufacture, single use equipment design and mobile Robotics, resulting in active participation in the ISPE disposables steering committee and Biophorum robotics technology roadmap team.Priya Vijayakumar
Priya Vijayakumar is the CEO and CO-Founder of WattIQ and has over 10+ years of experience creating and implementing global product strategy in the Industrial IoT markets across multiple startups. Priya holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of TorontoJohan van Gerven
Johan van Gerven is Director Development at Kadans Science Partner in Haaren. Kadans Science Partner develops and operates tailor-made housing solutions, with a focus on housing knowledge-intensive technological companies and institutions (laboratories, cleanrooms, pilot plants and offices). As Director Development, he is responsible for the further growth of the real estate portfolio, with a focus on the development and acquisition of buildings at Science Parks in the Netherlands. Johan has 25 years of experience in the field of development, design, realization and operation of projects in various market segments (life sciences, microelectronics, sustainable energy generation, automotive, data centers, laboratories, healthcare and the office sector). Realizing complex projects is a challenge for Johan, where he knows how to keep all stakeholders on board. Johan is a driven team player who responds excellently to the wishes of his customers and knows how to translate this into concrete results.Doug Martinez
Doug Martinez is an Industrial Engineering/Continuous Improvement (IE/CI) Manager, with a focus on Laboratory and Infrastructure systems. Before assuming his current role, he was an integral part of the Lab Operations team, where he managed equipment and streamlined processes. With four years of experience at Ginkgo, he collaborates with Foundry teams to drive increases in overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and overall process efficiency (OPE), specifically by targeting and eliminating waste. His initiatives are characterized by a pragmatic approach to problem-solving and a commitment to excellence in continuous improvement endeavours.Quentin Perron
Quentin Perron is a medicinal chemist by training. He holds a PhD in organometallic chemistry from the University of Geneva. During his post-doc fellowship at UCLA he worked on the total synthesis of Brasillicardin A, a complex natural molecule known for having a potent immunosuppressive activity. After working as a medicinal chemist in CNS indications at Laboratoires Servier, he switched to data science and chemoinformatics at Quinten, a company specialized in data science services. In 2016, with his business partners Yann Gaston-Mathé and Nicolas Do Huu, he co-founded Iktos, a start-up company developing AI technologies for new drug design. He is now the CSO of the company.Alberto Pascual
Alberto holds a PhD in bioinformatics with a long experience in data science and biomedical domains. He graduated in Computer Science and received his PhD from the Autonomous University of Madrid. After some postdoc period, he joined the National Center for Biotechnology (CNB), leading a bioinformatics Research and Core facility group. He also co-founded Integromics, a Bioinformatics start-up, in 2003. The company received the Frost and Sullivan European Bioinformatics Project of the Year Award in 2007. Currently, he is the Director of Data Science and Analytics at IDBS, where he is responsible for developing and executing IDBS’ strategy on AI, Data Science and Analytics to deliver novel products and services to our customers in life sciences R&D markets.Ivo Boruta
Responsible for global marketing strategy in Siemens Smart Infrastructure headquarters, Ivo Boruta has been driving digitalisation and sustainability at Pharma & Life Science customers for the past 4 years. With over 20 years of experience in process industry, Ivo held various roles in product management, sales, operations, marketing and key account management. Ivo joined Siemens in 2017 to drive strategic positioning, content development and thought leadership for digitalisation and sustainability with focus on labs and critical environments.Kristof Heyndrickx
Kristof Heyndrickx is recognized for his expertise in steering through the challenges of digitalization, with a specific focus on the Life Science sector. His approach is deeply rooted in a customer-centric philosophy, where he helps to achieve top-tier digital automation solutions. Boasting over 20 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, Kristof possesses a keen insight into identifying core challenges and opportunities. He understands the transformative impact that digitalization can have on your business. With an extensive product portfolio at Emerson and a vast network within the process industry, Kristof is well-equipped to offer pragmatic solutions to your business challenges.Robert Doctolero
Robert Doctolero is a Business Development Manager for Emerson Systems and Software, with a strong affinity with and knowledge of the Life Science and Biotech industry. For more than 20 years, Robert has fulfilled multiple roles in various types of international markets. He started as a PLC/SCADA specialist, moved to ERP / ICT systems, eventually went back to the industry: flow control, heating systems and Industrial Automation. His multidisciplined vision and broad international experience in various markets, industries, and solutions, has proven to be of value for industrial clients and OEMs.Marta Amaral
Marta is a Biomedical Engineer by training and completed her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology in the Enzymology and Biophysical Chemistry division. After starting her professional career at Merck KGaA in 2013 as a post-doc research fellow, Marta has joined Sanofi in 2017 as a Laboratory head in Antibody Engineering and Production. She has led and coordinated several global projects, developed pioneering multispecific antibodies and actively contributed to the implementation of Nanobody related activities at Sanofi-Frankfurt. In her current position Marta heads the High Throughput Screening Platform and leads the execution of multispecific antibody/nanobody projects to support the discovery of next generation protein therapeutics.
Naghmeh Ghazaleh
Dr. Naghmeh Ghazaleh works as an Innovation lead for neuroscience in pharma development at Roche Basel. Contributing to various roles in the pharma and diagnostics divisions, she has implemented AI and data-driven analysis for a better understanding of diseases and diagnoses and shaped the strategy for incorporating AI methods in various stages of drug discovery and developement. Laveraging her educational background in electrical engineering and Ph.D. in neuroscience, she has been awarded multiple innovation rewards as well as patents for innovative projects.
Michael Langner
Michael Langner leads the Process Development for Scaling Pharmaceutical Development and Production at Fraunhofer IPA. He manages a team of 16 experts focused on advancing pharmaceutical and bioproduction processes. With a background in genetics, molecular medicine, and clinical neurobiology, Michael drives innovation through process analysis, optimization, and customized technology development. His vision for the future lab integrates cutting-edge technology with user-centered design.
Dr Shan Luo
Dr Shan Luo is a Reader (Associate Professor) in Robotics and AI at King’s College London, where he leads the Robot Perception Lab. Having earned his PhD in Robotics from King's College London in 2016, Shan furthered his expertise through a Visiting Scientist position at MIT’s Computer and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) under the mentorship of Prof. Edward Adelson. He also worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at both the University of Leeds and Harvard University, contributing to the advancement of research in robot perception. In 2018, Shan joined the University of Liverpool as a Lecturer and was the Director the smARTLab within the Department of Computer Science until he returned to King’s in 2021. Throughout his career, Shan’s pioneering research has been dedicated to endowing robots with human-like perception capabilities, particularly focusing on vision and touch modalities.
Juliana Haggerty
Juliana (Jules) Haggerty is Head of the UK’s Intracellular Drug Delivery Centre, funded by IUK in 2023. Jules has worked at CPI since 2014, supporting RNA vaccine programmes for the UK Vaccine Taskforce in 2020 and providing expert advice and due diligence throughout 2021. Jules sits on the Technology and Innovation committee of the UK Medicines Manufacturing Industry Partnership and has significant expertise in the use of public/ private funding and collaborative R&D models to advance technology and innovation.
Jules has a BSc (Hons) degree in Physiological Sciences and an EngDoc in Biopharmaceutical Process Development from Newcastle University. In her early career, she spent 8 years at global Life Sciences company, Millipore, working on advanced technology development and best practice for biopharmaceutical manufacture and further developed expertise in image analysis, machine learning and algorithm development during her doctoral studies.
Konstantinos Gkatzis
Dr. Konstantinos holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Research from Leiden University Medical Center, specializing in cell biology, in vitro disease modeling, and toxicology. He leads cardiovascular projects at Ksilink, a France-based biotech, working with global partners to develop high-throughput phenotypic screening assays, compound validation, and mode of action studies, leveraging AI and organoid models. He also serves as an ethics expert for several European agencies and as a scientific advisor for biotech companies in Boston, USA.
Manne Venkanna Chowdary
Manne Venkanna Chowdary is the CEO & Founder of AmpleLogic and a pioneering leader in the life sciences industry. Under his leadership, AmpleLogic has developed the industry's first application platform as a service (aPaaS) specifically designed for the life sciences sector. His innovative approach and commitment to excellence have driven the company's growth and success, positioning AmpleLogic as a trusted partner for over 100+ clients globally. He has also been recognized with numerous awards for his contributions and achievements in the industry.
Cedric Berger
Cedric holds a PhD in biophysics and an MBA in Technology and Innovation Management. Cedric worked 8 years in biomedical fundamental research and 7 years in drug development both in private and public organizations. Since 2016, Cedric has been involved in the management of data, information, and knowledge in healthcare. Currently, as the Head of Knowledge Extraction and Integration for pharmaceutical technical operations, Cedric is setting up a framework to prototype generative AI solutions. Cedric is the president of the BioMedima NGO (www.biomedima.org) supporting healthcare/pharma organizations to transform their business toward sustainable digital practices.
Dan Lord
Dan, Senior Sales Manager at Opentrons, brings over two decades of expertise in life sciences, liquid handling, and laboratory automation. He empowers scientists to optimize efficiency and innovation by transitioning from manual to automated processes, allowing for groundbreaking research. Dan has held leadership roles at organisations such as Formulatrix, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and VWR Avantor, managing international sales and key accounts across Europe. His extensive experience in delivering tailored solutions has made him a trusted partner for labs in the pharmaceutical, biotech, academic, and governmental sectors. Starting his career as a microbiologist, Dan introduced the first automated ELISA system for Salmonella and Listeria testing at Pedigree Masterfoods. This hands-on scientific experience, coupled with his sales acumen, allows Dan to provide valuable, practical solutions to modern laboratories. He is a passionate advocate for lab automation, helping scientists unlock their full potential and drive scientific advancements.
Dr. Franziska Hausig-Punke
Dr. Franziska Hausig-Punke holds a strong scientific background in molecular nutrition research and drug delivery research. She earned her doctorate specializing in the biological characterization of drug delivery systems for gene therapeutics. Since 2022, Franziska has been contributing her expertise to Analytik Jena, where she took on the role of Industry Manager for the pharmaceutical sector in 2024.
Conor Kennedy
Conor Kennedy is Universal Robots' Global Segment Manager for the Pharmaceutical Industry. With over five years of experience in the Global Engineering Solutions group at Merck, a leading US-based vaccine manufacturer, Conor specializes in automation within the Fill/Finish process. His extensive expertise includes deploying robots in pharmaceutical packaging, vaccine manufacturing, and laboratory environments. Since joining Universal Robots in January 2024, Conor has been leveraging his knowledge in GMP robotic deployments to capitalize on the transformative potential of collaborative robots in the Life Sciences sector.
Johannes Callø
Johannes Callø is Universal Robot Pharma Segment Product Manager for the Pharmaceutical industry. Over the past three years, he has been working as a Product Manager at Universal robots, exploring new environments and exploring the automation needs within Pharma/F&B (Pharmaceuticals/Food and Beverage) and MedTech (Medical Technology). For the past years been focused on product development and centered for the pharmaceutical space. Before joining UR, he has gained 20 years of experience in product management within the field of neural diagnostics for medical devices. His educational background includes a Cand.Scient.Med degree and a Bsc.e.e.
Xavier Labourier
Xavier Labourier is the founder and CEO of QUARKS, an innovative SaaS solutions provider revolutionizing laboratory digitalization and regulatory compliance. Starting his career as a research engineer at CNRS (French National Research Center), he developed a unique approach to digital transformation in regulated environments. His "Compliance by Design" vision led to the creation of Quarks Alchemy, a next-generation solution transforming quality control laboratory operations. This integrated platform ensures complete traceability via QR codes, from reagent management to analytical data, while guaranteeing data integrity and GxP compliance. The solution uniquely bridges quality control, health and safety, environmental compliance, and regulatory affairs through a unified digital approach. Today, as an ISO 27001 certified company, QUARKS serves 350+ enterprise clients across pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, automotive, and energy sectors, demonstrating the effectiveness of its approach in diverse regulatory environments.
Dr. Björn-Thoralf Erxleben
Study at Humboldt-University Berlin, Diploma in Biochemistry, Ph.D. in forensic toxicology; experienced in use of analytical instruments, especially in HPLC / PDA; joined Shimadzu as product specialist / sales person for HPLC and Spectroscopy; after some years called to the European Headquarter as product specialist, for many years product manager for HPLC and Data processing, since that time contact to the pharmaceutical industry in Europe and close contact to the research and development at Shimadzu Japan; currently in charge of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical market and for European Innovation Center handling cooperation with scientific and industrial partners
Marc Smith
Marc is a Lead Product Manager for Process Development at IDBS. Before that role, he was a Director of Strategic Solutions, developing the enterprise-level IDBS Polar BioPharma Lifecycle Management solutions. Marc is an expert in laboratory and operational technology, laboratory informatics and system integration and leads a team of technological and domain experts committed to the development of Polar solutions. He has over 15 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical sector implementing and leading digital solutions and strategies. Before joining IDBS in 2021, he worked at Lonza Biologics and Angel Biotechnology. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Pharmacology from the University of Sunderland.
Amandine Noel
After a PhD in organic chemistry and experience in biocatalysis and radiochemistry, Amandine Noel joined Baxter 4 years ago as Laboratory Engineer. Baxter is a healthcare company providing products and services in the critical care, nutritional, and surgical fields. Her initial work was to identify and implement improvement projects. As supervisor of the support team at the QC chemistry lab, one of the team’s projects is digitalization with the expectation of moving forward efficiently and expanding this project to the micro laboratory as well as receiving and inspection team.
Yolanda Casas
Yolanda Casas is a seasoned international business leader with over 20 years of experience driving growth and efficiency in both corporate and startup environments. Skilled in leading multifunctional teams, developing and implementing strategic plans and transforming organizations through cultural and process improvements, she has a strong expertise in sales, marketing and operations in the life sciences, healthcare and automation industries, with a focus on robotics and laboratory automation. Yolanda has a degree in Physics from Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, a degree in Electronics Engineering from Universitat de Barcelona, and an MBA from INSEAD. She had different international marketing and sales leadership positions at Leica Biosystems and Abbott Laboratories and was COO of Neuroelectrics. She is currently Global Sales and Marketing Manager, Service Robotics at ABB.
M. Nicolas Cruz B.
Dr. Nicolas Cruz is the head of the KIWI-biolab at the Chair of Bioprocess Engineering, TU-Berlin. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and earned his Ph.D. specializing in Model-Based Optimization of Bioprocesses from TU Berlin. Dr. Cruz's international experience includes among others research stays at Texas A&M (in the Process Control Laboratory, Prof. Kravaris) and ETH Zurich (Morbidelli Group, focusing on biochemical engineering). The research of Dr. Nicolas Cruz focuses on the intersection of the fields of bioprocess digitalization, model-based tools for biotechnology and biopharma, High Throughput Bioprocess Development, and autonomous (self-driving) biolabs. His work is dedicated to advancing innovative solutions that address contemporary challenges for a sustainable society.
Ingo Muckenschnabel
With 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and a PhD in pharmaceutical chemistry, the focus has been on developing innovative, automated platforms for daily analytical measurement of research samples. Utilizing a fleet of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) systems and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instruments, these workflows are designed to generate high-quality data efficiently while supporting research objectives. To maximize the utilization of advanced analytical technologies, Lab2Lab automation has been implemented to enable autonomous pneumatic sample transportation within laboratories, across buildings, and throughout the campus. Unique barcode-labelled samples ensure seamless traceability from their origin in research labs through applied analytical methods, with results reliably connected to corresponding reports. This modernized platform delivers significant reductions in cycle times, improved operational efficiency, and enhanced decision-making through the timely and electronic delivery of high-quality analytical data.
Claudia Dr. Vogt
Claudia Vogt is the Chief of Staff for R&D Data Science and AI within Bayer Pharmaceutical and is located in Berlin. She is responsible for leading strategic projects and to oversee operational processes within the Data science cluster in R&D. Prior to this role she has led development programs in different phases and indications.
Sandra Pack
Sandra Pack is a knowledge management professional in Clinical Development Operations at Boehringer Ingelheim. In her current role, she is working on an innovative AI solution which enables trial teams in Clinical Development Operations and Biostatistical Data Sciences to find process knowledge they need faster powered by Agentic AI. She started her career in the Innovation Unit at Boehringer Ingelheim in 2018 implementing a knowledge management ecosystem including setting up a domain-specific terminology within Corporate Development. She holds a Master’s degree in Humanities and Social Sciences with postgraduate certifications in information and computer science.
Matthias Depoortere
Matthias is a Principal Applied AI/ML Scientist at GSK. Since joining in 2021, he has focused on improving process development for both large and small molecule drugs within the company's CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) Applied Data Science Group. His key projects include building digital twins for vaccine manufacturing, developing machine learning-enabled mRNA quality assays, and creating solubility prediction models for small molecules. Before GSK, Matthias leveraged his background in mathematics at a computer-vision diagnostics startup.
Dave Drodge
Dave Drodge has been passionately co-creating the future for the last 25 years using digital technology, working in 7 industries at organizations like Sony, Amadeus, Novartis, and the WWF (the Panda not the wrestlers) and varied functions (like marketing, product management, & transformation). Dave Drodge is now driving Roche’s digital transformation strategy and delivery with an emphasis on #AI . He’s just finished writing a chapter in an upcoming book about how general purpose AI, including Gen AI, can augment how we work. “Be human, not just the human in the loop!” © 2025 University of Strasbourg
John den Engelsman
John den Engelsman currently leads the Process Analytical Sciences organization at Novartis focusing on physicochemical analytical technologies and approaches to generate process and product knowledge for development of biotherapeutics. He is trained as a biochemist and molecular cell biologist and holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Michael Peter Langner
Michael Langner is Head of the Pharma & Bioproduction Technology research area at Fraunhofer IPA, leading a team of 30 scientists and engineers who develop innovative solutions for scaling pharmaceutical development and production. With a background in genetics, molecular medicine, and clinical neurobiology, he combines scientific expertise with a passion for process optimization, automation, and digitalization. Michael envisions laboratories as integrated, future-ready innovation centers, where cutting-edge technology, robust information systems, and motivated teams come together to advance science and innovation. He is actively involved in initiatives like nICLAS, fostering co-innovation, user-centered design, and collaboration between research and industry. Committed to transforming labs into hubs of excellence, Michael focuses on creating environments that are efficient, inspiring, and prepared for the scientific and technological challenges of tomorrow. Through his leadership, he ensures his teams deliver practical, scalable, and forward-looking solutions that shape the future of pharmaceutical development.
Melanie Kelm
With a strong background in lab automation, I specialize in optimizing pharmaceutical and life science workflows. My expertise spans liquid handling technologies, molecular and cell-based applications, and high-throughput formats such as 384- and 1536-well plates. I focus on integrating innovative solutions that enhance reproducibility and efficiency. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, I ensure seamless workflow integration and risk mitigation, especially in environments where precision and consistency are critical. Passionate about advancing lab innovation, I contribute to strategic automation initiatives that drive scientific progress and operational excellence. At Pharma WorX, I aim to share insights into how automation empowers decision-makers in pharma to overcome challenges in scalability and process robustness—ultimately accelerating drug development and discovery.
Ines Leonhardt
I have a background as a researcher in microbiology and infection biology, with experience at the Septomics Research Center and the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute in Jena. During my academic career, I earned my Dr. rer. nat. degree in microbiology, focusing on the interactions between fungal pathogens and innate immune cells. In 2021, I transitioned from research to industry and joined Analytik Jena as a Product Manager for qPCR. In this role, I am responsible for managing Analytik Jena’s real-time PCR cyclers and supporting customers in applying this technology effectively in their workflows. Drawing on both my scientific expertise and product management experience, I am passionate about bridging the gap between research needs and technological solutions. In this talk, I will share insights into 21 CFR Part 11-compliant qPCR with the qTOWER iris.
Ali Safari
Ali Safari is a data scientist in the Innovation Team within the Advanced Therapy Solutions group at Sartorius. His role involves developing and supporting innovative, machine-learning and modeling-related solutions in biopharma research and development, including cell line, process, and media development. He holds a master and PhD in computational engineering and joined sartorius in 2021.
Dr. Munisha Mangal
Dr. Dr Med Dent Munisha Mangal is an accomplished R&D leader in Medical and Scientific Affairs, with a unique blend of clinical, scientific, and strategic expertise. She holds a PhD in Material Sciences, an MSc in Public Health from King’s College London, and an MBA from Imperial College Business School. Her career spans the pharmaceutical sector and consumer health, where she delivers purpose-led solutions that create long-term value. With global experience across the UK, Germany, and India, Munisha has led programs in biomaterials, neuroscience, and drug development, aligning evidence generation with strategic goals. At Imperial, she focused on innovation, digital transformation, and sustainability, especially the role of AI in reshaping healthcare industry. This strengthened her ability to integrate science and technology into commercially viable, sustainable solutions. Munisha is passionate about advancing meaningful innovation, science that serves people. delivers real-world impact and improves health outcomes and quality of life globally
Kai Gloth
Kai Gloth is the Head of Product Development at the Lab Products & Services (LPS) division at Sartorius, where he leads a global team of experts to advance innovation across the company’s life science instrumentation portfolio. With a background in mathematics and theoretical computer science, he combines strategic perspective with deep technical expertise to drive the digital transformation of laboratory solutions. His work focuses on enabling data-driven science, fostering collaboration, and accelerating the development of technologies that empower researchers worldwide.
Evelien Cools
With over 15 years of experience in supply chain and operations within the life sciences industry, I specialize in guiding organizations through transformation and growth. Our approach blends strategic planning with pragmatic execution, tailored to each company’s unique context. Having worked with companies from start-ups to scale-up and for large commercial companies like JnJ, Pfizer, MSD, Biocartis,... I’ve gained a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities along this growth journey. Supporting teams through these transitions is what drives me. Looking ahead, my ambition is to harness digitalization—especially data and AI—to accelerate innovation in life sciences while remaining compliant. As a company we aim to help organizations improve patient outcomes and make a lasting impact on healthcare by leveraging digital technology in a value-added and compliant way.
Bill Russo
Bill is a dynamic sales leader with a proven track record of success in driving revenue growth and fostering strategic partnerships. Currently serving as the Vice President of Sales at ZONTAL, he has been instrumental in guiding sales strategies and achieving remarkable growth. With extensive experience spanning various industries and roles, including positions at Arxspan, IDBS, Core Informatics, and NuGenesis, Bill brings a wealth of expertise in building client relationships and delivering tailored solutions. His commitment to excellence has made him a trusted partner for clients worldwide.
Kathrin Hedegger
Kathrin Hedegger joined Hamilton Bonaduz AG in 2021 as a Product Manager and is now a key member of the Applications Product Management Team. In this role, she combines her strong scientific background with product development, helping to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and innovative laboratory solutions. Kathrin received her academic training in chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, pharmacology, and toxicology at Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, Germany. She began her research career exploring breast cancer signaling pathways during her Master’s thesis at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, USA. She went on to pursue a Ph.D., focusing on EGFR signaling in pancreatic cancer, continuing with postdoctoral research in cancer biology, further strengthening her expertise in both cellular signaling mechanisms and disease biology.
Timothy Walsh
Tim manages the global portfolio offerings within Siemens Smart Infrastructure for life science and industrial applications markets. With Siemens since 1987, he drives product lifecycle strategy for integrated building management systems, products and services within industries including pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, and labs.
Siobhan Fleming
Siobhan Fleming, with over two decades of experience in the life sciences industry, is the Solution Owner of Digital Lab. Within Siemens she spearheads the Life Sciences Digital Lab concept, driving the global vision and adoption of digital solutions to accelerate multimodal R&D. She bridges traditional laboratory operations with innovative digital advancements, conceiving comprehensive frameworks that enhance research efficiency, improve data integrity, and accelerate scientific discovery. Passionate about leveraging AI, simulation, digital twin, connectivity, and a robust digital data backbone, her work fundamentally reshapes scientific breakthroughs, making them faster, more reliable, and ultimately more impactful for global health.
Dr. Michael Kiening
Dr. Michael Kiening is responsible for shaping the strategic direction of the company's practices, leading consultant knowledge development, and overseeing project staffing and hiring. He holds a PhD in Bioinformatics from the Technical University of Munich, where his research focused on "Viral mRNAs: Evolution and Structure-Function Relation". Dr. Michael Kiening began his industry career at Adastra as a Senior Data Engineer and team lead for a major Teradata data warehouse project at Audi. He later served as Microsoft Partner Manager for Adastra Germany before stepping into his current leadership position.
Burkhard Schaefer
Burkhard Schaefer has been an active member of the laboratory informatics community for over 25 years. He started his career working on instrument control and data standards at Los Alamos National Laboratory and later the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He co-founded BSSN Software, now part of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Today, he serves as managing director of Splashlake.
