Drug development organizations are adopting new technologies, data platforms, and operating models at an accelerating pace, yet the success of these innovations often depends less on the tools themselves than on how people and teams absorb the change.
Drawing on ongoing research conducted with a working group of mid-to-large size pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors, this session will share fresh insights into how companies are managing the human side of innovation adoption.
Attendees will learn what is driving change across the industry, where change efforts most often stall, and which practical strategies sponsors are using to build readiness, encourage adoption, and turn new innovations into lasting practice.
8:00 – 8:45 AM | Exhibition Hall
Start the day by joining colleagues for an informal breakfast roundtable’s celebrating 50 Years of Impact from Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development. These interactive discussions will bring together industry peers to reflect on the evolution of clinical research, share lessons learned over the past five decades, and explore the innovations shaping the future of drug development.
With continental breakfast served in the exhibition hall during registration, this is an excellent opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and be part of the conversation before the main conference begins.
Roundtable 1
Roundtable 2
Roundtable 3
With growing budget pressures and the expectation to do more with less, negotiation is an essential skill for clinical development professionals. This practical, interactive workshop will help attendees approach negotiations with greater confidence, uncover what matters to the other party, and explore ways to create value within budget constraints while building stronger working relationships.
Through everyday examples, negotiation role-play, and peer discussion, participants will practice asking effective questions, navigating “no,” and trading concessions thoughtfully. Moving beyond familiar contracting scenarios, attendees will explore approaches they can apply to CRO and vendor conversations, workplace discussions, and everyday negotiations.
Key Learning Points
- How to approach negotiations with clear goals, confidence, and an understanding of when to walk away
- Practical questions to uncover hidden priorities, understand constraints, and explore flexibility beyond the initial offer
- Strategies to trade value and negotiate favorable outcomes within budget constraints
- How to navigate resistance while building trust and maintaining productive working relationships
- Opportunities to practice negotiation techniques and identify lessons to apply immediately
This session explores how the global pediatric clinical trials landscape is changing, with a focus on the current state of pediatric research, the practical challenges sponsors and investigators face in planning, initiating, and completing pediatric trials, and how the current global pediatric regulatory architecture plays out in practice. Current trends in pediatric trial planning and implementation will also be discussed.
Participants will leave with:
- A snapshot of where pediatric research stands today
- Practical considerations for managing burden in pediatric trials
- Best practices and recommendations for navigating pediatric trial challenges
