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Digital Biopharma
Automate & Digitize Novel Modalities R&D
April 2, 2025 ALL TIMES EDT
The continued growth in volume, complexity, and variety of new modalities, such as multispecifics, cell and gene therapies, and RNA therapeutics, as well as the need to integrate data management and collaboration across discovery and into development requires a digital infrastructure to effectively collect, manage, model, and analyze data. The Digital Biopharma symposium explores how biopharma and biotech companies are implementing AI/ML approaches and connecting every part of data and analytics ecosystems to extract maximum value, reduce effort duplication, and empower scientists to make data-driven decisions faster.

Tuesday, April 1

Registration Open

Wednesday, April 2

Registration and Morning Coffee

IT ENVIRONMENTS AND WORKFLOW MODERNIZATION

Advancing RNA R&D: Leveraging Automation, AI/ML, and Modern Data Management

Sebastian Schlicker, Head, Biologics Business Operations, Genedata AG , Head , Biologics Business Operations , Genedata AG

Putting the IT in New Modalities at AstraZeneca

Photo of Y. Morris Chen, PhD, Director, Cell Therapy IT, R&D IT, AstraZeneca , Cell Therapy Lead , R&D IT , AstraZeneca
Y. Morris Chen, PhD, Director, Cell Therapy IT, R&D IT, AstraZeneca , Cell Therapy Lead , R&D IT , AstraZeneca

The speaker will discuss how AstraZeneca R&D IT addresses the rapid evolution and challenges of cell therapy research and development, including key considerations and short-term and long-term strategic foci.

Harnessing Data Management and Querying for Advancements in AAV Research and in vivo Studies

Photo of Shijun Yu, Senior Scientist, Roche , Senior Scientist , F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG
Shijun Yu, Senior Scientist, Roche , Senior Scientist , F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG

Recently, Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) entities with associated properties and genealogy, as well as assay results are seamlessly integrated to our data warehouse BDS, facilitating the data management and querying in D360 platform. It enhances the accuracy and efficiency of the AAV research and development processes, and accelerates advancements in cell and gene therapy. In addition, we successfully integrated in vivo studies, complementing the existing in vitro data in D360 platform to enable more informed decision- making for drug discovery projects, establishing the integrated platform for Roche R&D project portfolio across various modalities (i.e., small molecule, oligo, biologics, cell and gene therapy).

Launching into the Future: Sanofi’s Biologics AI Moonshot Program—Advancing AI Strategy and Innovation for Biologics

Photo of Yves Fomekong Nanfack, PhD, Head of AI/ML Research, Takeda , Head of AI/ML - Research , Takeda
Yves Fomekong Nanfack, PhD, Head of AI/ML Research, Takeda , Head of AI/ML - Research , Takeda

Sanofi recently launched the BioAIM program to push forward on our ambition to transform biologics drug discovery. This talk will discuss the landscape of opportunities for ML and AI in all aspects of antibody generation to design and engineering of advanced modalities, our approach, examples of novel methods developed, and early results.

How to Standardize Data Science Ways of Working to Unlock Your Data Science Teams' Creativity

Photo of Eric Ma, PhD, Principal Data Scientist, Moderna, Inc. , Principal Data Scientist , Moderna, Inc.
Eric Ma, PhD, Principal Data Scientist, Moderna, Inc. , Principal Data Scientist , Moderna, Inc.

As data science teams grow, balancing consistency with creative innovation becomes crucial. Drawing from my experience building data science teams at Moderna, I'll share how thoughtfully designed workflows enhance creativity by providing stable foundations. We'll explore practical strategies for standardizing project initialization and delivery patterns while preserving scientists' freedom to solve problems their way, using modern tools like pixi and uv to make good practices the path of least resistance.

Networking Coffee Break

Exploring Cutting-Edge AI and Machine Learning Innovations in Biologics Drug Discovery

Photo of Monica Wang, PhD, Head of Biologics and Novel Modality Discovery Capabilities and Products, Scientific Informatics, Takeda , Principal Technology Lead , Project & Program Mgmt Scientific Informatics , Takeda Pharmaceuticals Inc
Monica Wang, PhD, Head of Biologics and Novel Modality Discovery Capabilities and Products, Scientific Informatics, Takeda , Principal Technology Lead , Project & Program Mgmt Scientific Informatics , Takeda Pharmaceuticals Inc

This presentation will explore AI/ML advancements in biologics and novel modalities drug discovery. It will review the past 25 years of drug discovery, discuss AI-ready ecosystems, and address the challenges and future outlook of AI/ML applications in this field.

Empower Gilead Biologics Innovation with AI/ML through Informatics Ecosystem Transformation

Photo of Epic Ding, Senior Manager, Research Informatics, Gilead , Sr Manager, Research Informatics , Gilead
Epic Ding, Senior Manager, Research Informatics, Gilead , Sr Manager, Research Informatics , Gilead
Photo of Ying Huang, Director of Data Science, Gilead , Director , Gilead Sciences
Ying Huang, Director of Data Science, Gilead , Director , Gilead Sciences

Gilead Research Informatics and Research Data Science have been partnering with PTx to revolutionize the large molecule informatics ecosystem which is built on top of existing data infrastructure. Vendor systems and internally developed applications are integrated as a cohesive, scalable ecosystem to support the next decade's biologics innovation. We will highlight AI/ML applications that leverage data integration and transformation to accelerate candidate selection and facilitate molecule engineering.

Transition to Lunch

Session Break

NEW FRAMEWORKS AND TECHNOLOGIES ADVANCING BIOLOGICS DISCOVERY

Chairperson's Remarks

Sebastian Schlicker, Head, Biologics Business Operations, Genedata AG , Head , Biologics Business Operations , Genedata AG

Building Cell Therapy Multi-Modal Molecular Imaging Ecosystem

Photo of Andras Fancsik, MD, PhD, Specialist Leader, Life Sciences, Deloitte Consulting , Specialist Leader , Deloitte Consulting
Andras Fancsik, MD, PhD, Specialist Leader, Life Sciences, Deloitte Consulting , Specialist Leader , Deloitte Consulting
Photo of Jenny Wei, PhD, Senior Director, R&D Informatics and Technology, Kite Pharma , Senior Director , R&D Informatics and Technology , Kite Pharma
Jenny Wei, PhD, Senior Director, R&D Informatics and Technology, Kite Pharma , Senior Director , R&D Informatics and Technology , Kite Pharma

As Kite Pharma advances cell therapy to solid tumors and autoimmune diseases, advanced imaging technologies are invested in CAR T discovery. Kite Pharma is collaborating with NVIDIA and Deloitte to explore accelerated streaming of multi-terabyte images to cloud with optimized storage, automated cell segmentation analysis on MONAI with foundation models, integration within image modalities and among diverse modalities (clinical, genomics, and imaging), and GenAI-augmented image meta-data indexing and exploration.

Med.ai-CAR T: An Integrated CAR T Data and Analytic Platform for R&D

Photo of Lina Yang, PhD, Principal Scientist, Data Science and Digital Health, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine , Principal Scientist , Data Science & Digital Health , Johnson & Johnson
Lina Yang, PhD, Principal Scientist, Data Science and Digital Health, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine , Principal Scientist , Data Science & Digital Health , Johnson & Johnson

As an R&D organization, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Data Science & Digital Health is collaborating with the oncology teams to develop an integrated solution for advanced analysis across modalities and scales in CAR T research. Access to multimodality data will enable the utilization of advanced AI/ML technology to enhance our understanding of manufacturability, efficacy, and safety in cell therapy products.

From Request to Results: Automating Lab Workflows with Predictive Resource Scheduling

Photo of Luis Lebolo, PhD, Director of Software Engineering, Generate Biomedicines , Principal Software Engineer , Informatics , Generate Biomedicines
Luis Lebolo, PhD, Director of Software Engineering, Generate Biomedicines , Principal Software Engineer , Informatics , Generate Biomedicines

Discover how we transformed lab operations by developing an in-house workflow management and predictive scheduling system. Our solution automates the end-to-end process from request to results, integrating tightly with our data platform, informatics tools, and automation. By tracking progress, supporting task handoffs, and optimizing resource allocation, we enhanced efficiency and visibility across the lab. Learn how predictive resource scheduling answers critical questions about timing and workload management.

Networking Refreshment Break

Guiding Data-Informed Decisions with Genedata Profiler’s End-to-End Data Platform

Photo of Hareesh Chandrupatla, Director, Data Science Platforms Director, Revolution Medicines , Director , Data Science Platforms , Revolution Medicines
Hareesh Chandrupatla, Director, Data Science Platforms Director, Revolution Medicines , Director , Data Science Platforms , Revolution Medicines

Revolution Medicine is dedicated to transforming treatment paradigms for previously undruggable RAS-addicted cancers. To empower researchers in extracting maximum value from preclinical and clinical data, the company has implemented Genedata Profiler, an integrated data solution. Genedata Profiler offers rich metadata cataloging and data management capabilities, as well as scalable, automated workflows for multi-source data ingestion, and its transformation into analysis-ready datasets. With an intuitive user interface and comprehensive visualization tools, the platform equips scientists and clinical decision-makers with a self-service exploratory ecosystem for hypothesis testing and insight generation, enabling informed decisions regarding their precision medicines in development.

Digital in Biotherapeutics at AbbVie: A Ten-Year Retrospective Shaping Our Future Vision

Photo of Sukru Kaymakcalan, Director, R&D Information Research, AbbVie, Inc. , Dir R&D Information Research , R&D Information Research , Abbvie Bioresearch Center
Sukru Kaymakcalan, Director, R&D Information Research, AbbVie, Inc. , Dir R&D Information Research , R&D Information Research , Abbvie Bioresearch Center

Digital transformation, the accelerating pace of scientific and technological advancement as well as increasingly sophisticated analytics and computational methods are putting intense pressure on delivering digital solutions in biotherapeutics research and development. We'll discuss AbbVie's work in this space over the last decade to share lessons learned, discuss challenges and opportunities, and share our vision of a digitally enabled and data-driven biotherapeutics organization to meet the challenges of tomorrow's biopharma landscape.

Digital Infrastructure for Decentralized R&D in the Life Sciences

Photo of Charles Demurjian , Lead Data Specialist , BioMicro Center at MIT
Charles Demurjian , Lead Data Specialist , BioMicro Center at MIT
Photo of Douaa Mugahid, PhD, Data Officer, Hi-IMPAcTB Consortium, Harvard School of Public Health , Data Officer for Hi-IMPAcTB Consortium , Immunology & Infectious Diseases , Harvard School of Public Health
Douaa Mugahid, PhD, Data Officer, Hi-IMPAcTB Consortium, Harvard School of Public Health , Data Officer for Hi-IMPAcTB Consortium , Immunology & Infectious Diseases , Harvard School of Public Health

The explosion of multiomics in the life sciences is catalyzing a shift towards digital biology at unprecedented speed. In the world of digital biology, not only do we need interdisciplinary research teams of wet and dry lab researchers working closely together, but also the infrastructure to support their collaboration. This session will discuss efforts being made to support decentralized digital biology inspired by learnings from the international NIH-funded consortium, Hi-IMPAcTB.

Refreshment Break & Transition to Plenary Keynote

Organizer's Remarks

Photo of Cindy Crowninshield, Executive Event Director, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Event Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Cindy Crowninshield, Executive Event Director, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Event Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Panel Moderator:

PLENARY KEYNOTE PANEL DISCUSSION:
From Bytes to Breakthroughs: Next-Generation AI Driving the Future of Life Sciences and Healthcare

Photo of Abbie Celniker, PhD, Partner, Third Rock Ventures LLC , Partner , Third Rock Ventures LLC
Abbie Celniker, PhD, Partner, Third Rock Ventures LLC , Partner , Third Rock Ventures LLC

Panelists:

Photo of Tala Fakhouri, PhD, MPH, Associate Director for Data Science and AI Policy, FDA (participating virtually) , Associate Director for Data Science and AI Policy , FDA
Tala Fakhouri, PhD, MPH, Associate Director for Data Science and AI Policy, FDA (participating virtually) , Associate Director for Data Science and AI Policy , FDA
Photo of Per Greisen, PhD, President, BioMap , President , BioMap
Per Greisen, PhD, President, BioMap , President , BioMap
Photo of Sofia Guerra, Vice President, Bessemer Venture Partners , Vice President , Bessemer Venture Partners
Sofia Guerra, Vice President, Bessemer Venture Partners , Vice President , Bessemer Venture Partners
Photo of Subha Madhavan, PhD, Vice President and Head, AI/ML, Quantitative and Digital Sciences, Pfizer Inc. , Vice President and Head, AI/ML, Quantitative and Digtal Sciences , Pfizer
Subha Madhavan, PhD, Vice President and Head, AI/ML, Quantitative and Digital Sciences, Pfizer Inc. , Vice President and Head, AI/ML, Quantitative and Digtal Sciences , Pfizer
Photo of Sonya Makhni, MD, Medical Director, Mayo Clinic Platform , Medical Director , Mayo Clinic Platform , Mayo Clinic & Foundation
Sonya Makhni, MD, Medical Director, Mayo Clinic Platform , Medical Director , Mayo Clinic Platform , Mayo Clinic & Foundation

Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)

The Bio-IT Kickoff Reception is a reunion—reconnect with friends, explore cutting-edge research, and celebrate innovation! Enjoy poster presentations, networking, and vote for the Best of Show and Poster awards.

Close of Day


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Conference Tracks

T1: Data Platforms & Storage Infrastructure