• Why Attend?
  • Agenda
  • OCT Advisory Board
  • Speakers
  • Plan Your Visit
  • Event Gallery
  • Sponsors
  • Why partner?
  • Contact Us

Why Attend?

WHAT TO EXPECT FOR 2026?

400+

Attendees

30+

Exhibitors

30+

Speakers

400+

Attendees

30+

Exhibitors

30+

Speakers

See What It's All About

Agenda

  • 20 Oct 2026
  • 21 Oct 2026
Expand All

8 AM

Registration and refreshments

8:20 AM

Chairperson’s opening remarks

8:30 AM

Optimising Combined Study Approvals Across the Clinical Trial and Medical Device Regulatory Frameworks

Update from COMBINE “all-in-one” Pilot Exploring the coordinated assessment of combined study applications

  • Learnings and experience from the pilot phase 1
  • Framework of the pilot phase 2 and experiences so far

Speakers

Paivi Worsoe
Project Manager, Danish Medicines Agency

9 AM

Session reserved for event sponsor

9:30 AM

Implementing the New UK Clinical Trial Regulation: What Sponsors Need to Do Differently

  • Understanding how the new UK framework is working in practice 6 months after implementation
  • Identifying key operational changes, including approvals, consent, and trial setup
  • Clarifying how sponsors can take advantage of faster pathways while staying compliant

Reserved for NIHR

10 AM

Session reserved for event sponsor

10:30 AM

Morning refreshments and networking break

11 AM

PANEL DISCUSSION Debating Ownership and Risk Sharing in Sponsor and Vendor Partnerships

  • Exploring the meaning of risk sharing across roles
  • Supporting balance between procurement and R&D priorities
  • Strengthening partnership models through transparency

1 x Biopharma panel seat available

1 x Vendor panel seat available

Speakers

Sigrid Schollen
Clinical Project Lead, Hirundo

11:30 AM

Session reserved for event sponsor

12 PM

Live from Ukraine: Running Clinical Trials During Disruption and Lessons for Global Studies

  • Understanding how clinical trials continue during war and infrastructure disruption
  • Managing patient safety supply chain and data integrity under extreme conditions
  • Applying lessons from Ukraine to improve resilience and contingency planning

Speakers

Ivan Vyshnyvetskyy
Managing Director, FutureMeds

12:30 PM

Session reserved for event sponsor

1 PM

Lunch and networking

2 PM

FOCUS SESSION + EXPERT COMMENTARY Evaluating China Expansion Strategies for Global Clinical Development

Understanding when China makes sense, when it doesn’t, and how to build a practical operational pathway

  • Evaluating when China is the right fit for global development strategies
  • Weighing the benefits, risks and timelines of China-linked studies
  • Exploring Australia and other ICH-aligned pathways into the US market
  • Comparing China, Australia and Central & Eastern Europe for trial execution
  • Aligning clinical operations, CMC, manufacturing and quality strategies
  • Sharing practical lessons from sponsors currently assessing China expansion

2 x Biopharma panel seats available

1 x Vendor panel seat available

Speakers

Kamil Sitarz
Chief Operating Officer, Ryvu Therapeutics

3 PM

Session reserved for event sponsor

3:30 PM

Afternoon refreshments and networking

4 PM

ASK THE EXPERT SESSION Understanding The Key Criteria Investors Use When Selecting Biotech to Fund

  • Identifying how clinical strategy and data quality impact investment decisions
  • Translating investor expectations into practical changes in trial design and execution
  • Applying these insights to improve funding strategy in a tougher market

Speakers

Stephan Christgau
Founding Partner, Eir Ventures

4:30 PM

Session reserved for event sponsor

5 PM

STANDUP COMEDY Taking a light-hearted look at the realities of working in clinical trials and life sciences

Speakers

Ivanna Rosendal
Vice President of Business Digitalization, Ascendis

5:20 PM

NETWORKING DRINKS

8:15 AM

Registration and refreshments

8:50 AM

Chairperson’s Opening Remarks

9 AM

Session reserved for

Speakers

Lene Laursen
Deputy Director General, Danish Medicines Agency

9:30 AM

Session reserved for event sponsor

10 AM

PANEL DISCUSSION Choosing Where to Run Clinical Trials in 2027 and Balancing Speed, Quality and Access

  • Comparing timelines and setup across the UK EU and other key regions
  • Understanding trade-offs between speed cost quality and patient access
  • Deciding how to prioritise regions based on trial type and strategy

1 x Biopharma panel seat available

1 x Vendor panel seat available

Speakers

Lene Laursen
Deputy Director General, Danish Medicines Agency

10:30 AM

Morning refreshments and networking break

11 AM

CASE STUDY + CO-PRESENTATION Maintaining Control While Working with CROs and Improving Oversight Without Slowing Trials

  • Defining clear roles and responsibilities between sponsor and CRO to avoid duplication and gaps
  • Identifying what sponsors should actively oversee versus what can be delegated with confidence
  • Setting meaningful KPIs and oversight models that focus on risk rather than excessive monitoring
  • Improving communication and escalation pathways to prevent delays and misalignment
  • Avoiding common mistakes that lead to over-control increased workload and inefficiencies

Speakers

Olivia Vu Van
Clinical Project Manager, IRLAB

11:30 AM

Session reserved for event sponsor

12 PM

Using National Trial Support Models Effectively and When They Add Value

  • Exploring initiatives like Trial Nation
  • Understanding funding structures
  • Deciding when they add value

Speakers

Kirsten Bødker
Head of Business Relations, Facilitator of Centres for Dementia and Infectious Disease & Immunomodulation, Trial Nation

12:30 PM

Lunch and networking

1:30 PM

Meaningful Patient Involvement in Rare Disease Trials: From Recruitment to Partnership

  • Insights from the Nordic Patient Empowerment Survey (Nordic Rare Disease Summit 2025) and the Danish Rare Disease Survey (Guldkundeunders gelsen 2025) and their relevance for clinical trial design and patient engagement
  • Building trust and improving communication to support participation in healthcare and clinical research
  • Understanding the practical barriers faced by people living with rare diseases and how they may influence clinical trial participation
  • Moving from consultation to partnership: patient perspectives on involvement and decision-making throughout the research journey
  • Leveraging insights from Nordic patient organisations to better understand patient needs and priorities in rare disease research

Speakers

Liselotte Wesley Andersen
Chairperson, SBONN

2 PM

Session reserved for event sponsor

2:30 PM

PANEL DISCUSSION What Went Wrong in Clinical Trials and What Should Have Been Done Differently

  • Sharing real examples of decisions that led to delays inefficiencies or trial failure
  • Understanding early warning signs that were missed or ignored
  • Identifying what should have been done differently in hindsight
  • Applying these lessons to improve future trial design and execution

3 x Biopharma panel seats available

1 x Vendor panel seat available

3:30 PM

Afternoon refreshments and networking

4 PM

ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS

During the roundtable discussion session, the conference hall will be divided into zones. Delegates can choose which zone they would like to join. Each zone will be led by a table moderator and will focus on a different challenge within the industry. After 30 minutes, delegates will have the opportunity to swap and choose a different table, and each roundtable will run twice.

Navigating communication styles by tailoring approaches for different patient personalities
Roel van der Heijde, Facilitator & Trainer, Patient Experience Association The Netherlands

Managing Clinical Trial Budgets in An Unstable Financial World

Working Better with Investigative Sites

Working With CROs More Effectively

5 PM

End of Conference

Speakers

Select a speaker to learn more

Back
Laurynas Dailide
Senior Category Lead, Novo Nordisk
Next speaker
Back
Ivan Vyshnyvetskyy
Managing Director, FutureMeds

Dr. Ivan Vyshnyvetskyy is a seasoned expert in clinical trials with over 20 years of experience. His expertise spans over 70 clinical trials, including more than 50 as Principal Investigator. As the Managing Director Ukraine, he leads a growing Ukrainian unit of FutureMeds, a top-ranked European professional site network. Dr. Vyshnyvetskyy also serves as the Chair of the Ukrainian Association of Clinical Trials, where he works to enhance cooperation with regulatory bodies, harmonize legislation, and improve clinical trial awareness.  As an Associate Professor at O.O. Bohomolets National Medical University, Dr. Vyshnyvetskyy teaches courses in Research Methodology, Healthcare Management, and Strategic Management.  He holds a PhD in Cardiology from Donetsk National Medical University and a Master of Global Management from American University Kyiv.

Session Details:

Live from Ukraine: Running Clinical Trials During Disruption and Lessons for Global Studies

2026-10-20, 12:00 PM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Ivanna Rosendal
Vice President of Business Digitalization, Ascendis

Session Details:

STANDUP COMEDY Taking a light-hearted look at the realities of working in clinical trials and life sciences

2026-10-20, 5:00 PM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Lene Laursen
Deputy Director General, Danish Medicines Agency

Session Details:

PANEL DISCUSSION Choosing Where to Run Clinical Trials in 2027 and Balancing Speed, Quality and Access

2026-10-21, 10:00 AM

Session Details:

Session reserved for

2026-10-21, 9:00 AM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Rasmus Jakobsen
Senior Manager, Digital Innovation and Execution, Genmab
Next speaker
Back
Olivia Vu Van
Clinical Project Manager, IRLAB

Session Details:

CASE STUDY + CO-PRESENTATION Maintaining Control While Working with CROs and Improving Oversight Without Slowing Trials

2026-10-21, 11:00 AM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Kirsten Bødker
Head of Business Relations, Facilitator of Centres for Dementia and Infectious Disease & Immunomodulation, Trial Nation

Session Details:

Using National Trial Support Models Effectively and When They Add Value

2026-10-21, 12:00 PM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Roel van der Heijde
Facilitator & Trainer, Patient Experience Association The Netherlands

Roel van der Heijde lives in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. He has a MA in International Business, is an international acknowledged NLP trainer, executive team coach and a certified death and grief counsellor.

He is a driven and experienced trainer and facilitator in:

  • - Patient Fear Reduction (for all caregivers);
  • - Team Collaboration;
  • - Vulnerability & Leadership;
  • - Discrimination & Inclusion.

Roels motivation: “Acknowledgement and recognition of the fears and emotions of our patients are the basis for excellent patient experience and patient safety”.

“Working with Groups I experience as thoroughly fascinating and inspiring. In interaction with groups I am every time amazed by the enormous potential of practical knowledge and direct experience that lies hidden in groups and that is so easily overlooked. Herein lies the basis for excellent vulnerable leadership.

Next speaker
Back
Jens Kanstrup Kjær
Site Manager, Aarhus University Hospital
Next speaker
Back
Kamil Sitarz
Chief Operating Officer, Ryvu Therapeutics

Kamil Sitarz is Chief Operating Officer and Management Board Member at Ryvu Therapeutics, a European clinical-stage oncology company advancing a diversified pipeline of innovative therapies. He leads corporate strategy, enterprise governance, capital planning, and cross-functional clinical development execution across a diversified oncology portfolio.

He has been instrumental in transforming Ryvu into a multi-program clinical-stage organization, embedding disciplined portfolio governance and architecting development pathways designed to enhance execution predictability in complex, high-risk oncology settings. His leadership integrates clinical strategy with capital allocation discipline, ensuring alignment across scientific ambition, regulatory positioning, operational design, and financial planning to drive sustainable enterprise value.

 

Under his direction, Ryvu has built and scaled a robust clinical development organization capable of delivering international Phase I/II programs across challenging hematologic indications and multi-country site networks. He has also played a key role in establishing and governing strategic clinical collaborations with leading global oncology partners, strengthening Ryvu’s development footprint and reinforcing its credibility within the international biotech ecosystem.

 

With a PhD in Medical Genetics and an Executive MBA, Kamil combines scientific depth with enterprise-level strategic and operational leadership to advance innovation with rigor, accountability, and long-term growth orientation.

Session Details:

FOCUS SESSION + EXPERT COMMENTARY Evaluating China Expansion Strategies for Global Clinical Development

2026-10-20, 2:00 PM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Mateusz Zawadzki
Product Manager Special Cargo Certification, International Air Transport Association
Next speaker
Back
Paivi Worsoe
Project Manager, Danish Medicines Agency

Session Details:

Optimising Combined Study Approvals Across the Clinical Trial and Medical Device Regulatory Frameworks

2026-10-20, 8:30 AM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Maria Koufali
Life Sciences Industry Director, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

Maria Koufali, is an experienced senior leader in life sciences research and innovation, bringing over 20 years of cross-sector expertise in working with global pharmaceutical companies, digital health firms, diagnostics developers, and MedTech SMEs. She holds a PhD in Pharmacology and Neuroscience, an MBA (Distinction), and is the first NHS R&D Director nationally to be awarded the Nye Bevan Executive Health Leadership Award. Maria currently leads the UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway at NIHR/DHSC, a nationally mandated clinical trials accelerator. In this role, she has delivered over 20 high-priority commercial trials, expanded partnerships beyond Moderna and BioNTech to include smaller biotech firms and large pharma, and embedded site-readiness models and trial metrics to support faster delivery.

Maria has built a wide network of trusted relationships across the life sciences sector and has consistently translated strategic ambition into operational delivery, regulatory compliance, and commercial value. Previously, as Managing Director of Research & Innovation at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, she designed and delivered the Trust’s entire NIHR infrastructure portfolio from the ground up, securing funding and oversight for a £70m suite including a BRC, CRF, BioResource, and the Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF)—a £23m translational platform that supports SMEs to take digital and MedTech innovations from prototype to trial. Under her leadership, the Trust’s commercial research income rose to over £13m per year. She has successfully navigated and aligned MHRA, HRA and ISO frameworks to support industry delivery at scale. Maria currently serves as Trustee and Chair of the Industry Advisory Board at the BBSRC-funded Quadram Institute, where she shapes translational and commercial strategy. She brings a proven ability to develop national infrastructure, deliver commercial growth, and work across government and industry to accelerate innovation that benefits patients and the UK economy.

Next speaker
Back
Annemette Broch
Chairman of the Board and Founder of DATA for GOOD Foundation, DfG
Next speaker
Back
Navid Arshad
Supply Chain Clinical Trial Study Lead, AstraZeneca
Next speaker
Back
Liselotte Wesley Andersen
Chairperson, SBONN

Session Details:

Meaningful Patient Involvement in Rare Disease Trials: From Recruitment to Partnership

2026-10-21, 1:30 PM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Sigrid Schollen
Clinical Project Lead, Hirundo

Session Details:

PANEL DISCUSSION Debating Ownership and Risk Sharing in Sponsor and Vendor Partnerships

2026-10-20, 11:00 AM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
Back
Eleni Tokali
Analyst, GlobalData

Eleni Tokali, MPharm, MPH, is a Drug Intelligence Analyst at GlobalData. Her primary responsibilities include managing and maintaining GlobalData’s Drugs Database, analyzing drug pipeline information and producing analytical market insight reports. Additionally, Eleni provides timely client support and performs database quality checks. Prior to joining GlobalData, Eleni worked as a registered pharmacist under the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Eleni has a firm knowledge of pharmaceutical industry dynamics as well as global public health perspectives. Eleni holds a Master of Pharmacy from the University of Brighton and a Master of Public Health from King's College London.

Next speaker
Back
Kamal Amin
Head of Clinical Supplies Management, Galderma

Kamal is a trained Chemist who decided to pursue a career in supply chain management and quality. In this role, he was tasked to supervise commercial and clinical trial products. Kamal has worked in the pharmaceutical and device industries for over 15 years in different size organisations ranging from large multinational to small virtual companies. He is currently leading a global team at Galderma to develop an integrated clinical supply chain organisation within the company.

Next speaker
Back
Anne Sofie Weigelt Nielsen
Study Coordinator, Dept. of Hematology, Aarhus University Hospital
Next speaker
Back
Ivan Costa Abalo
Senior Data Manager, Zealand Pharma
Next speaker
Back
Stephan Christgau
Founding Partner, Eir Ventures

Session Details:

ASK THE EXPERT SESSION Understanding The Key Criteria Investors Use When Selecting Biotech to Fund

2026-10-20, 4:00 PM

View In Agenda
Next speaker

OCT Advisory Board

Select a member to learn more

Back
Dr Alison McMorn
Head of Clinical Strategy and Development, LifeArc

Dr. McMorn is an experienced clinical development researcher with over 25 years of industry experience and has a strong focus in CNS and paediatric drug development. She has worked for both Pharmaceutical Companies and Contract Research Organisations including holding positions at SAR Monitoring Services Ltd, Mundipharma International Ltd and Shire Development Inc. Starting her career at SAR as a Clinical Research Associate (CRA) she subsequently moved to Mundipharma where she was responsible for initiating the first paediatric clinical research program for the company. At Shire Dr. McMorn led, planned and managed global paediatric and adult clinical development programs for a wide variety of indications including psychiatry, pain, gastrointestinal and hepatology across all phases of development (Phase 0 to Phase 4). In addition she was responsible for harmonizing Clinical Trial Administrator (CTA) working practices across all regions for the company. In 2015 Dr. McMorn joined AMO Pharma Ltd, a virtual pharmaceutical company focused predominantly on paediatric neurodevelopmental rare diseases, as VP of Clinical Development. She holds an undergraduate degree in Pharmacology and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Leeds, UK.

Next
Back
Behtash Bahador
Senior Director, Community Engagement & Partnerships, CISCRP

Behtash Bahador is the Senior Director of Community Engagement & Partnerships at the non-profit organization CISCRP, and holds a Master of Science in Health Communication from the Tufts University School of Medicine. Since 2014, he has collaborated with a range of stakeholder groups to establish and implement patient- and public-centric initiatives across the life-cycle of drug and treatment development. This has included supporting the development of regulatory and cross-disciplinary best practice guidelines, operationalizing key elements of evidence-based public health programing into research engagement activities, and always keeping the needs of patients, participants and the public at the forefront of his work.

Next
Back
Kathleen Cohen
Vice President, Clinical Development, Marinus Pharmaceuticals

Kathleen Frenia Cohen is Vice President and Head of Clinical Development Operations at Marinus Pharmaceuticals.  Prior to joining Marinus, she spent 20+ years at PRA Health Sciences in a variety of project management and operational oversite roles. Kathleen graduated from the University of the Science in Philadelphia with a PharmD and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research from Rutgers College of Pharmacy. Kathleen resides in Media, PA.

Next
Back
Aditya Kotta
VP Business Development, Novotech

Aditya Kotta is the VP of Business Development for Novotech. He has been with the company since 2018. He has 14 years of experience in the clinical trial industry, working in both Clinical Operations and Business Development. He holds degrees in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and Medical Science from Boston University.

Next
Back
Martin Rodriguez
Consumer Safety & Evidence Global Quality & Excellence Head, Opella

Senior executive Leader in Life Science (Biochemist) and Lean/Six Sigma Green-belt certified, with more than 20 year of experience in clinical operations, Operational Excellence (i.e., operational strategy, performance management, process optimization, risk management, Quality-by-Design and team performance), clinical quality, and Service Providers / Outsourcing management.

I developed, reengineered, automated, and optimized business processes with a risk-based and approach to produce high quality outputs and to ensure regulatory compliance. I led the development, implementation and monitoring of different operational and quality strategies and models including Outsourcing as well as new/ innovative clinical capabilities to fulfill consumers/ patients needs .

Next
Back
Rosalie Filling
Vice President, Senior Global Head R&D Operations, Keenova

In her over 25 years of experience, Rosalie “Rosie” Filling has transformed R&D operations in every company she has worked for, developing clear-cut strategies to help advance clinical trials with high-quality operational execution and scientific excellence.

 

Rosie is the Vice President, Senior Global Head R&D Operations Endo International plc. She is part of the global R&D leadership team and is charged with the coordination and implementation of clinical development strategies for the company’s research and development. She provides strategic direction and oversight of the R&D Operations team, which includes clinical operations, data management, biostatistics, medical writing, clinical supplies, trial master file/inspection readiness and business operations. This integrated team handles the execution of all aspects related to Endo’s clinical trials. Endo has active research and development programs in men’s health, orthopedics, and endocrinology. Beyond these therapeutic areas, the company also has focused development in the areas of sterile injectables and complex generic products.

 

Rosie’s main focus at all times is on the end users—the patients. Bringing new and, at times, life-saving medications to patients drives Rosie’s sense of purpose.

 

Rosie joined Endo from Lupin Pharmaceuticals in Blue Bell, PA where she was Senior Director, Head of Clinical Operations, and built the clinical operations organization to support the US and Global R&D Organization. Prior to Lupin, Rosie spent nearly five years at Teva in Frazer, PA where she was the US site head of Clinical Operations and was responsible for the successful delivery of Inhalation, Women’s Health, and Cardiovascular clinical trials. Earlier in her career, Rosie held various roles at Eisai, MGI Pharma and PPD.

 

Rosie earned her B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh.

Next
Back
Edwin van Vulpen
Executive Director and Head of Clinical Business Development Euro-Asia
Next

Plan Your Visit

Venue

Clarion Hotel & Congress Copenhagen Airport

Clarion Hotel & Congress Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup,Denmark, 2770

Accommodation

Arena International Events Group “(Arena”) is aware of numerous third-party agencies which are contacting Arena’s customers and purporting to have access to hotel room bookings, events attendee lists and selling unsolicited services. It is unclear whether the agencies in question are in possession of such information, or whether they intend to scam unsuspecting customers. Whilst Arena International Events Group pursues such third-party companies for their potentially illicit activity, Arena encourages you to be cautious in engaging with such third-party agencies and Arena shall not accept any responsibility for any losses incurred by you should you choose to engage with third parties that have no affiliation to Arena International Events Group..

Sponsors

Select a sponsor to learn more

FEATURED SPONSORS

SESSION SPONSORS

Technology Showcase

Pens/Notepads and Tote Bag Sponsor

Prize Draw Sponsor

Lanyards Sponsor

Drinks Reception Sponsor

EXHIBITORS

Co-Sponsor

Event Partner

Why partner?

 

Contact us to become a partner

Partnership Opportunities

We work with you to design a bespoke package to meet your business needs, where you could:

  • Demonstrate your expertise on the agenda – have the attention of the entire audience. For greatest impact, why not position your talk before a networking break and immediately conduct follow up conversations with highly engaged attendees
  • Showcase your business and its services at an exhibition booth, which provides a perfect meeting place for prospective new clients
    Present the value proposition of your offering over your competitors, in front of an audience of active, engaged potential customers
  • Speak with key decision makers as part of our intimate, interactive roundtable style workshop sessions with over 8 hours allowed for networking

Event reach

  • 200+ attendees each year
  • 80% attendees C-suite level

 

Take a look at our current sponsors

Become A Media Partner

Enquiry

Contact Us

SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES

Alex Purnell

Senior Sponsorship Manager

+44 204540 7786

SPEAKER ENQUIRIES

Ralitsa Pashkuleva

Principal Producer

+44 (0) 20 7661 7976

MARKETING ENQUIRIES

Valentina Sidore

Head of Marketing

DELEGATE ENQUIRIES

Sunny Saikia

VIP Delegate Manager

SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES


Senior Sponsorship Manager

Alex Purnell


+44 204540 7786

SPEAKER ENQUIRIES


MARKETING ENQUIRIES


Head of Marketing

Valentina Sidore


 

DELEGATE ENQUIRIES


VIP Delegate Manager

Sunny Saikia