12th Annual Outsourcing in Clinical Trials UK & Ireland 2025

Welcome to 12th annual Outsourcing in Clinical Trials UK and Ireland 2025

10 - 11

June

2025
  • Hilton Park Lane, London, UK
  • Complimentary
  • Why attend?
  • Agenda
  • Advisory Board
  • Speakers
  • Plan Your Visit
  • Event Gallery
  • 2025 Sponsors
  • Media Centre
  • Why partner?
  • Resources
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Why attend?

WHAT TO EXPECT FOR 2025?

This exclusive event brings together attendees from established pharma, large and small, alongside with biopharmaceutical companies and gives opportunity to dive into the operational challenges and innovations in clinical development found within the UK & Ireland region.

200+

Attendees

50+

Exhibitors

40+

Speakers

200+

Attendees

50+

Exhibitors

40+

Speakers

See What It's All About

Agenda

  • 10 Jun 2025
  • 11 Jun 2025
Expand All

Streams

Stream one

STREAM A: UK Clinical Trial Landscape Strategy

Stream two

STREAM B: Clinical Technology and Innovation

Stream three

STREAM C: Clinical Trials in Oncology

10 AM

PANEL DISCUSSION: Exploring the landscape for oncology clinical trials in the UK

  • New regulations and guidance around running oncology trials in the UK: what do you need to be aware of?
  • Running clinical trials in conjunction with the NHS: how to ensure your trial is a success
  • Developments in UK cancer research: what’s new in 2025?
  • Working with patients and advocacy groups in the UK: keeping patients at the heart of your oncology trials
  • Assessing the impact of political and economic changes on UK oncology trials
  • The role of the cancer drug fund in accelerating oncology clinical trials in the UK

 

MODERATOR:

Richard Stephens, Chair, Cancer Research Advocates Forum (CRAF-UK)

PANELLISTS:

Emily Pegg, Associate Vice President, Medical, Northern European Hub, Eli Lilly

Further panellists to be confirmed

Speakers

Richard Stephens
Chair, Cancer Research Advocates Forum (CRAF-UK)
Emily Pegg
Associate Vice President, Medical, Northern European Hub, Eli Lilly

10:45 AM

PATIENT STORY: Positive and negative experiences in a patient’s cancer journey: how should clinicians and patients work together?

Speakers

Maria Lawal
Patient Advocate

11:15 AM

Morning refreshments and networking

11:45 AM

Reserved for

Speakers

Stephen Nabarro
Head of Clinical Operations and Data Management, Cancer Research UK

12:15 PM

Available for event sponsor

12:45 PM

CASE STUDY: Conducting a Phase 2 oncology trial in the UK

Speakers

Diane Chisholm
Head of Clinical Operations, Owkin

1:15 PM

Lunch and networking

2:15 PM

PANEL DISCUSSION: Patient centricity in oncology trials: where are the opportunities for the industry and patients?

  • Simple ways of improving patient experience in clinical trials including vocabulary and clear communication
  • Relieving burden on caregivers as well as patients: how can sponsors be more supportive of patients’ families and support network?
  • Working with patients from the beginning of your clinical trial design process
  • Assessing new innovation and technology which can increase support and relieve pressure on oncology patients
  • Where and how can trial sponsors step in to provide long term support for rare cancer patients?
MODERATOR:

Richard Stephens, Chair, Cancer Research Advocates Forum (CRAF-UK)

Speakers

Richard Stephens
Chair, Cancer Research Advocates Forum (CRAF-UK)
Diane Chisholm
Head of Clinical Operations, Owkin
Liz Emmerson
Director Clinical Operations, Blue Earth Therapeutics

3 PM

Available for event sponsor

3:30 PM

Afternoon refreshments and networking

4 PM

Navigating complexities of managing radioligand therapy oncology trials

  • Site selection considerations specific to Radiopharmaceutical Therapy (RPT) clinical trials
  • A sponsor’s perspective of the technical knowledge and expertise required to deliver RPT studies
  • Country specific RPT clinical trial requirements and regulations
  • Challenges with just-in-time supply for RPT investigational products

Speakers

Liz Emmerson
Director Clinical Operations, Blue Earth Therapeutics

4:30 PM

Delivering research in NHS hospitals: the new NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN)

  • The new NIHR RDN landscape
  • Delivering research in hospital settings
  • Research delivery in partnership

Speakers

Prof Sandip Mitra
NIHR National Lead for Research in NHS Hospital Setting, Deputy Director for NIHR Health Technology Centre for Long Term Conditions (D4D), National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

5 PM

Chairperson’s closing remarks

Speakers

Richard Stephens
Chair, Cancer Research Advocates Forum (CRAF-UK)

11:45 AM

Optimising patient consent and data management in a shifting geopolitical landscape

This session explores the evolving role of patient consent in clinical trials, focusing on how to maximize its value while ensuring ethical and regulatory compliance. As geopolitical and regulatory landscapes shift, the management of patient samples and data has become increasingly complex. Industry experts will discuss strategies for streamlining consent processes, enhancing transparency, and addressing the challenges of cross-border data and sample handling.

  • The changing nature of patient consent
  • Geopolitical and regulatory impacts on data management
  • Innovative approaches to sample and data tracking
  • Future trends in patient consent and data usage

Speakers

Catherine Mela
Head Precision Medicine Operations, GSK

12:15 PM

Available for event sponsor

12:45 PM

Holding session:

Leveraging novel technologies, digital advances and strategic transformation to accelerate clinical trials, in turn, optimising operational process and elevate the patient experience.

Speakers

Rebecca Jackson
Associate Director, Global Development Systems, Janssen

1:15 PM

Lunch and networking

2:15 PM

PANEL DISCUSSION: Leveraging technology and innovation to support clinical trial execution

  • Adopting innovative technologies to improve clinical trial efficiency
  • Transforming clinical trials using AI driven data analysis
  • Identifying digital tools for patient engagement

 

MODERATOR:

Moderator to be confirmed

 

Speakers

Lara Campana
Senior Vice President, Research and Translational Science, Resolution Therapeutics
Blanka Hezelova
Associate Director, Precision Medicine Scientific Operations, Bioethics Coach, GSK
Joseph Sutton
PhD, Biosample Project Leader and Senior Scientist, Roche

3 PM

Available for event sponsor

3:30 PM

Afternoon refreshments and networking

4 PM

SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT: Inspiring partnerships and action in sustainable healthcare

Mitigating the environmental impact of clinical trials, in line with the broader imperative to address the interconnected climate and health crises.

Speakers

Dr Fiona Adshead
Chair, Sustainable Healthcare Coalition
Pete Morley
Clinical Sustainability Manager, Novo Nordisk

4:30 PM

CASE STUDY: Abbreviated clinical trials: driving innovation and expediting development

Innovation to reduce the reliance on the global cold chain

Speakers

Karen O’Hanlon
Chief Development Officer, Stablepharma

5 PM

Chairperson’s closing remarks

8 AM

Registration and refreshments

8:45 AM

GlobalData opening remarks

Senior representative, GlobalData

9 AM

OPENING KEYNOTE: Clinical trials in the UK: a cross sector approach to making the UK a destination for clinical research

  • Government priorities: one year on
  • How organisations across the sector are working together to continually improve the system
  • What makes the UK a destination for clinical trials
  • Looking ahead

Speakers

Prof. Lucy Chappell
Chief Scientific Adviser, Department of Health and Social Care, Chief Executive Officer, National Institute of Health Research (NIHR)

9:30 AM

Reserved for event sponsor

10 AM

KEYNOTE PANEL: Where is the clinical trial industry headed this year and beyond?

  • Navigating new regulations around clinical trials smoothly and successfully
  • How do we ensure the UK is an attractive location to run ATMP trials
  • The impact of artificial intelligence: how far can we expect to move forward in the next 12 months?
  • Patient centricity in clinical trials: how can burden be reduced in order to make trials easier for patients to participate in?
  • Technological developments in 2025 and beyond: what changes can we expect to see in the next 3-5 years?

 

MODERATOR:

Moderator to be confirmed

 

PANELLISTS:

Alex Churchill, Deputy Director, Clinical Trials Policy, Department of Health and Social Care

Esther Kitto, Vice President, Clinical Operations, Resolution Therapeutics

Speakers

Alex Churchill
Deputy Director, Clinical Trials Policy, Department of Health and Social Care
Esther Kitto
Vice President, Clinical Operations, Resolution Therapeutics

10:45 AM

Reserved for event sponsor

11:15 AM

Morning refreshments and networking

11:45 AM

MHRA: The new outlook of the Clinical Trials Unit

  • Activities
  • Innovations
  • International collaborations

Speakers

Andrea Manfrin
Deputy Director, Clinical Investigations and Trials, MHRA

12:15 PM

Available for event sponsor

12:45 PM

How can we all maximise the efficiency of study set-up?

  • Learn opportunities for navigating ethics and regulatory reviews quickly
  • Discover the ideal path through study set-up
  • Help NHS sites to follow national standards
  • Explore new UK clinical trials regulations

Speakers

Dr Janet Messer
Director of Approvals, HRA

1:15 PM

Lunch and networking

2:15 PM

PANEL DISCUSSION: Partnering for innovation: a new model to deliver commercial clinical trials at pace and scale

  • The Vaccine Innovation Pathway: delivering results and shaping the future
  • Real-world innovations in site-level delivery
  • Reimagining clinical research delivery: innovative models and collaborative approaches
  • Expanding primary care horizons: commercial trials in the community
  • Driving innovation from industry: lessons learned and future directions

MODERATOR:

Moderator to be confirmed

Speakers

Maria Koufali
Head of UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
Sarah Tissington
Regional Director, Clinical Site Management & Monitoring EU/UK, Moderna
Prof Saul Faust
OBE, Director, NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility, University of Southampton; Clinical Director, NIHR LCRN Wessex
Dr Rebecca Clark
, Partner, Principal Investigator, Fylde Coast Clinical Research and Co-Clinical Lead, UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway

3 PM

Available for event sponsor

3:30 PM

Afternoon refreshments and networking

4 PM

SPONSOR AND SITE RELATIONSHIPS: Excellence in commercial research delivery: the London North West way

  • Overview of geographic, demographic and disease prevalence landscape in LNWH, which serves a largely under-served region of the UK
  • Building the research infrastructure
  • Impact case studies reflecting challenges and opportunities they present
  • Industry partner perspective

Speakers

Divya Manek
Director, Clinical Operations, Eyebiotech
Christiana Dinah
Director, Research and Development, London North West Healthcare NHS Trust

4:30 PM

PANEL DISCUSSION: Unravelling the impact of ICH E6 Revision 3: implementing new standards in good clinical practice

ICH E6 (R3) introduces significant updates to Good Clinical Practice guidelines, emphasizing risk-based quality management, patient centricity, and flexibility in trial design and execution. This panel discussion will address the impact of ICH E6 (R3) on clinical trials, comparing it to the previous ICH E6 (R2), discussing approaches to implementation, and considering varied interpretations among stakeholders.

  • Understand the key changes in ICH E6 (R3) and their implications for clinical trial conduct
  • Explore different approaches to implementing the new guidelines in diverse trial settings
  • Analyse the challenges, opportunities, and interpretations associated with ICH E6 (R3)
  • Highlight meaningful differences between ICH E6 (R2) and ICH E6 (R3) and their practical impacts

MODERATOR:

Moderator to be confirmed

 

PANELLISTS:

Kerri Fuller, Director, Resp/Imm/ID PM Operations, GSK

Further panellists to be confirmed

Speakers

Kerri Fuller
Director, Resp/Imm/ID PM Operations, GSK

5 PM

Chairperson’s closing remarks

NETWORKING DRINKS AND APPLE PRIZE DRAW

Streams

Stream one

Clinical Operations and Outsourcing

Stream two

Clinical Technology and Innovation

11:45 AM

CASE STUDY: Challenges and opportunities in cell therapy clinical development outside oncology

  • Intro into Resolution and our journey from academia to spin out
  • Moving into the clinical space: challenges in developing cell therapy in a space where ATMPs are not widely adopted
  • The role of technology and state-of-the-art analytics to support our cell therapy clinical development

Speakers

Lara Campana
Senior Vice President, Research and Translational Science, Resolution Therapeutics

12:15 PM

Available for event sponsor

12:45 PM

Lunch and networking

2 PM

Clinical trial investigations: looking at the trends and landscape for 2024 and what we can learn from them moving through 2025 and into 2026

  • Overview of global clinical trials for 2024
  • Assessing key sponsors, top interventions and looking at the trial landscape for 2024
  • Looking at key obstacles for terminated trials and evaluation of completed trials which have achieved endpoint status

Speakers

Priya Ravisekara
Senior Analyst, GlobalData

2:30 PM

AI in clinical trials: assessing opportunities and challenges in developing an AI strategy

  • How AI and digitalisation can support streamlining of clinical operations and improve efficiency
  • Simple ways to implement tools such as GPT and GenAI in your trial
  • Where can AI be utilized to minimize workloads and increase overall output?
  • The regulatory landscape in the UK for the use of AI in clinical trials: what do you need to know?
  • Key limitations of GenAI and how these impact its potential uses for clinical trials in the UK

Speakers

Blanka Hezelova
Associate Director, Precision Medicine Scientific Operations, Bioethics Coach, GSK

8 AM

Registration and refreshments

8:50 AM

Chairperson’s opening remarks

9 AM

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: WHO’s clinical trial guidance: what do I need to know

  • Strengthening regulatory and ethical frameworks and ensuring trials follow global standards and Good Clinical Practice
  • Building capacity and infrastructure, training researchers and enhancing facilities for high-quality trial execution
  • Promoting data transparency and global collaboration, registering trials and sharing data to improve research outcomes
  • Streamlining approval processes, speeding up trial initiation for urgent health needs while maintaining safety and compliance

Speakers

Vasee Moorthy
Senior Advisor, R&D, World Health Organization

9:30 AM

Available for event sponsor

10 AM

The role of R&D in unlocking economic growth and improving population health

  • The investment value of R&D in supporting a geographic spread of research-intensive NHS Trusts
  • The virtuous circle between foreign direct investment, research intensive NHS Trusts and accelerated patient access
  • The role of R&D and research intensive Trusts in re-baselining the standard of care

Speakers

Jagtar Dhanda
Director of Policy Advocacy and Government Affairs, BMS

10:30 AM

Available for event sponsor

11 AM

Morning refreshments and networking

11:45 AM

Patient involvement and engagement, how well are you doing this?

  • Discussing the collaboration that must exist between all parties (patients, coordinators, doctors) in order to have a successful trial
  • Importance of good communication to the patients and how this can streamline trial timelines
  • Exploring how patients could, and should, be influencing decisions and the R&D process before study start-up

Speakers

Amelia Hursey
Strategic Director, Parkinson Europe

12:15 PM

Available for event sponsor

12:45 PM

Lunch and networking

2 PM

Navigating the complexities of running clinical trials both home and away: strategies for success

  • Recruitment strategies: how Lilly selects countries for clinical trials
  • Criteria and processes used by Lilly to recruit and select countries
  • Key factors influencing country selection
  • Performance comparison: UK vs. Other Countries
  • Sharing experiences and lessons from conducting trials in the UK
  • Success stories and challenges faced

Speakers

Emily Pegg
Associate Vice President, Medical, Northern European Hub, Eli Lilly
Victoria Bhui
Associate Director, Investigator Engagement, Eli Lilly

2:30 PM

PANEL DISCUSSION: Current operational challenges in running commercial clinical trials in the UK/IE: the need for increasing our attractiveness globally

  • Ambition for the UK and the current status
  • Site set up: the need for research ready sites
  • Site recruitment: increasing our say do ratio
MODERATOR:

Laura Clifton Hadley, Associate Director, Clinical Operations, BMS

 

Speakers

Laura Clifton Hadley
Associate Director of Clinical Operations, BMS
Chris Cannaby
Clinical Operations Manager Lead, MSD
Saeeda Bashir
Head, Clinical Trials Policy and Programmes, Department of Health and Social Care
Esther Kitto
Vice President, Clinical Operations, Resolution Therapeutics
Rajinder Sidhu
Associate Director, Research Governance and Operations, UCLH

3 PM

Afternoon refreshments, networking, and Apple Prize Draw

3:30 PM

Advancing diversity in clinical research

  • Policy
  • Industry engagement
  • Community engagement
  • Media

Speakers

Dr Suki Balendra
Director, Strategic Partnerships, Paddington Life Sciences and Director, North West London Clinical Trials Alliance

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 lead/host 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.

ROUNDTABLE 1: TBD

Kerri Fuller, Director, Resp/Imm/ID PM Operations, GSK

 

ROUNDTABLE 2: Innovative approaches to support sites facilitate study implementation including EHR data mining, eISF, and SSO login

Marie Lefebvre, Local Innovation Lead, Sanofi

 

ROUNDTABLE 3: The role of lived experience in clinical trials: meaningful patient engagement in clinical trials is vital to develop impactful and relevant outcomes

Cameron Keighron, Project Coordinator, International Diabetes Federation of Europe and Trials@Home consortium member, Patient Advocate

 

 

Speakers

Kerri Fuller
Director, Resp/Imm/ID PM Operations, GSK
Marie Lefebvre
Local Innovation Lead, Sanofi
Cameron Keighron
Project Coordinator, International Diabetes Federation of Europe and Trials@Home consortium member, Patient Advocate

5 PM

Close of conference

END OF CONFERENCE

Speakers

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Liz Emmerson
Director Clinical Operations, Blue Earth Therapeutics

Session Details:

PANEL DISCUSSION: Patient centricity in oncology trials: where are the opportunities for the industry and patients?

2025-06-10, 2:15 PM

Session Details:

Navigating complexities of managing radioligand therapy oncology trials

2025-06-10, 4:00 PM

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Jagtar Dhanda
Director of Policy Advocacy and Government Affairs, BMS

Session Details:

The role of R&D in unlocking economic growth and improving population health

2025-06-11, 10:00 AM

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Laura Clifton Hadley
Associate Director of Clinical Operations, BMS

Laura Clifton-Hadley is an Associate Director of Clinical Operations based in the UK. She leads all clinical trial and late development activities across the Bristol Myers Squibb portfolio. Laura is an experienced leader, with experience in all phases of trials and therapeutic areas. Prior to BMS, she worked as the head of haematology and brain trials at University College London. She has more than 14 years of clinical operations experience, and more than 12 years of line management experience. She sits on various UK and IE industry bodies/government bodies to promote/facilitate commercial clinical research and to ensure that we are bringing the right studies to the UK and IE.
Laura received her PhD in microbiology from the University of Reading. She also holds an honours degree in microbiology and virology from the University of Warwick.

Session Details:

PANEL DISCUSSION: Current operational challenges in running commercial clinical trials in the UK/IE: the need for increasing our attractiveness globally

2025-06-11, 2:30 PM

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Richard Stephens
Chair, Cancer Research Advocates Forum (CRAF-UK)

Session Details:

PANEL DISCUSSION: Patient centricity in oncology trials: where are the opportunities for the industry and patients?

2025-06-10, 2:15 PM

Session Details:

Chairperson’s closing remarks

2025-06-10, 5:00 PM

Session Details:

PANEL DISCUSSION: Exploring the landscape for oncology clinical trials in the UK

2025-06-10, 10:00 AM

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Stephen Nabarro
Head of Clinical Operations and Data Management, Cancer Research UK

Session Details:

Reserved for

2025-06-10, 11:45 AM

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Alex Churchill
Deputy Director, Clinical Trials Policy, Department of Health and Social Care

Session Details:

KEYNOTE PANEL: Where is the clinical trial industry headed this year and beyond?

2025-06-10, 10:00 AM

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Saeeda Bashir
Head, Clinical Trials Policy and Programmes, Department of Health and Social Care

Session Details:

PANEL DISCUSSION: Current operational challenges in running commercial clinical trials in the UK/IE: the need for increasing our attractiveness globally

2025-06-11, 2:30 PM

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Emily Pegg
Associate Vice President, Medical, Northern European Hub, Eli Lilly

An experienced executive leader within the pharmaceutical industry with a clear focus on and passion for developing high performing cross-functional teams who work without barriers. Highly inclusive yet decisive, adaptable and with a track record of high quality delivery whilst motivating and inspiring the teams around me.

A GMC registered, NHS trained medical doctor with pharmaceutical industry experience across a broad range of therapeutic areas working with both pre-launch and in-market products in the UK and Europe. Known for being commercially astute and a strong cross-functional worker with 10 years of management experience up to a team size of 120 striving always to create a rewarding, high energy environment for my teams.

Session Details:

Navigating the complexities of running clinical trials both home and away: strategies for success

2025-06-11, 2:00 PM

Session Details:

PANEL DISCUSSION: Exploring the landscape for oncology clinical trials in the UK

2025-06-10, 10:00 AM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
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Victoria Bhui
Associate Director, Investigator Engagement, Eli Lilly

Session Details:

Navigating the complexities of running clinical trials both home and away: strategies for success

2025-06-11, 2:00 PM

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Next speaker
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Divya Manek
Director, Clinical Operations, Eyebiotech

Session Details:

SPONSOR AND SITE RELATIONSHIPS: Excellence in commercial research delivery: the London North West way

2025-06-10, 4:00 PM

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Dr Rebecca Clark
, Partner, Principal Investigator, Fylde Coast Clinical Research and Co-Clinical Lead, UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway

Session Details:

PANEL DISCUSSION: Partnering for innovation: a new model to deliver commercial clinical trials at pace and scale

2025-06-10, 2:15 PM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
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Catherine Mela
Head Precision Medicine Operations, GSK

Session Details:

Optimising patient consent and data management in a shifting geopolitical landscape

2025-06-10, 11:45 AM

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Next speaker
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Kerri Fuller
Director, Resp/Imm/ID PM Operations, GSK

Session Details:

ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS

2025-06-11, 4:00 PM

Session Details:

PANEL DISCUSSION: Unravelling the impact of ICH E6 Revision 3: implementing new standards in good clinical practice

2025-06-10, 4:30 PM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
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Blanka Hezelova
Associate Director, Precision Medicine Scientific Operations, Bioethics Coach, GSK

Session Details:

PANEL DISCUSSION: Leveraging technology and innovation to support clinical trial execution

2025-06-10, 2:15 PM

Session Details:

AI in clinical trials: assessing opportunities and challenges in developing an AI strategy

2025-06-11, 2:30 PM

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Dr Janet Messer
Director of Approvals, HRA

Experienced strategic leader with extensive experience of operations, business transformation and introducing digital systems. Systems-thinker with focus on delivering cross-sector improvement. Deep knowledge of health and care research regulation and governance.

Session Details:

How can we all maximise the efficiency of study set-up?

2025-06-10, 12:45 PM

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Rebecca Jackson
Associate Director, Global Development Systems, Janssen

Session Details:

Holding session:

2025-06-10, 12:45 PM

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Christiana Dinah
Director, Research and Development, London North West Healthcare NHS Trust

Session Details:

SPONSOR AND SITE RELATIONSHIPS: Excellence in commercial research delivery: the London North West way

2025-06-10, 4:00 PM

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Andrea Manfrin
Deputy Director, Clinical Investigations and Trials, MHRA

Session Details:

MHRA: The new outlook of the Clinical Trials Unit

2025-06-10, 11:45 AM

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Sarah Tissington
Regional Director, Clinical Site Management & Monitoring EU/UK, Moderna

Session Details:

PANEL DISCUSSION: Partnering for innovation: a new model to deliver commercial clinical trials at pace and scale

2025-06-10, 2:15 PM

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Chris Cannaby
Clinical Operations Manager Lead, MSD

Session Details:

PANEL DISCUSSION: Current operational challenges in running commercial clinical trials in the UK/IE: the need for increasing our attractiveness globally

2025-06-11, 2:30 PM

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Prof. Lucy Chappell
Chief Scientific Adviser, Department of Health and Social Care, Chief Executive Officer, National Institute of Health Research (NIHR)

Professor Lucy Chappell FMedSci is the Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), with overall responsibility for the department’s research and development, including the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the government’s major funder of clinical, public health, social care and translational research.

Reporting to the Chief Medical Officer, the Chief Scientific Adviser provides science advice and analysis to ministers across the range of health topics and is involved in cross-government science policy.

Professor Chappell is Professor of Obstetrics at King’s College London, Honorary Consultant Obstetrician at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and an NIHR Senior Investigator. She will undertake the Chief Scientific Adviser role on secondment into government, while continuing some of her clinical and academic work.

DHSC Chief Scientific Adviser

Responsibilities include:

  • overall responsibility for the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) research policies and budget, including being head of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
  • supporting analysis and evidenced-based decision-making capacity in the department
  • working with Chief Scientific Advisers across government to maximise the impact of science to benefit the UK population

Session Details:

OPENING KEYNOTE: Clinical trials in the UK: a cross sector approach to making the UK a destination for clinical research

2025-06-10, 9:00 AM

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Prof Sandip Mitra
NIHR National Lead for Research in NHS Hospital Setting, Deputy Director for NIHR Health Technology Centre for Long Term Conditions (D4D), National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

Innovation-driven clinician and an enterpreneurial enthusiast based at the Manchester Academy of Health Sciences Centre, Manchester University Hospitals. Recognised as an influential health technology leader with major contributions to innovation in healthcare technology, dialysis and delivery systems.

Passionate about transforming clinical services and patient pathways through enabling technology.

In various leadership roles as Deputy Director of NIHR MedTech Cooperative Devices for Dignity, Vice Chair for EUDIAL, ERA-EDTA, Chair of the Haemodialysis Study group for UK Kidney Research Consortium. Driving safe and value based health care with national organisations as CQC Speciality Advisor, and as Clinical Reference Group Member for NHS England.

Managing a diverse portofolio of translational clinical academic research with a global network of collaborators. A trainer, educator and mentor for health professionals at the University of Manchester. Several publications, patents, authored book chapters and media reports of the work in the field.

Session Details:

Delivering research in NHS hospitals: the new NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN)

2025-06-10, 4:30 PM

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Maria Koufali
Head of UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

Session Details:

PANEL DISCUSSION: Partnering for innovation: a new model to deliver commercial clinical trials at pace and scale

2025-06-10, 2:15 PM

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Next speaker
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Diane Chisholm
Head of Clinical Operations, Owkin

Session Details:

CASE STUDY: Conducting a Phase 2 oncology trial in the UK

2025-06-10, 12:45 PM

Session Details:

PANEL DISCUSSION: Patient centricity in oncology trials: where are the opportunities for the industry and patients?

2025-06-10, 2:15 PM

View In Agenda
Next speaker
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Pete Morley
Clinical Sustainability Manager, Novo Nordisk

Session Details:

SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT: Inspiring partnerships and action in sustainable healthcare

2025-06-10, 4:00 PM

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Dr Suki Balendra
Director, Strategic Partnerships, Paddington Life Sciences and Director, North West London Clinical Trials Alliance

Suki Balendra a senior leader in the NHS with a 20-year background in facilitating, growing, and promoting health research in the U.K.  She has substantial, in-depth experience across sectors including industry, academia, NHS, and central government.

She is currently the Director of Strategic Partnerships for Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in Northwest London. She leads the strategic work with the Life sciences industry in the region with an emphasis on a new life sciences cluster in Paddington. Suki created and leads the North West London Clinical Trials Alliance. She started her career in the Biotechnology Industry at Abbott Diagnostics Ltd. Within a Good manufacturing practice (GMP) environment she worked on several operational projects to improve efficiency, cost, and reproducibility.

In 2018 she was seconded to the Office of Life Sciences within the Department of Business and Industrial Strategy. where she attracted and negotiated new business to increase the UK’s market share of health and care research activity. During the pandemic she provided operational leadership to the NHS covid vaccine research response in Northwest London.

Suki has PhD from the University of Warwick, and she is accredited to black belt in Lean Six Sigma. She is a passionate advocate for UK PLC as the number one destination to conduct clinical trials.

Session Details:

Advancing diversity in clinical research

2025-06-11, 3:30 PM

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Amelia Hursey
Strategic Director, Parkinson Europe

Amelia joined the Parkinson’s Europe  team in Jan 2022 as Research Manager. Since then she has developed Parkinson’s Europe’s Research Strategy, embedding a Research Steering Group into the organisation and helping to increase the presence of Parkinson’s Europe in the clinical research world. She is also focused on bringing new initiatives to the table, such as the Parkinson’s Europe’s Engagement Network, which better connects the Parkinson’s

community with research across Europe. Parkinson’s Europe is now a partner member of EUPATI and the Critical Path for Parkinson’s as part of this action.

She has been working in the field of Neurodegenerative research since 2009 and is a Patient Organisations board member with EUPATI since Sept 2023.

She previously worked for the UK NIHR’s DeNDRoN delivering clinical trials and then at Parkinson’s UK from July 2015 as Research Participation Lead.  She was responsible for initiatives to increase research participation for people affected by Parkinson’s, health care professionals and researchers, and created the innovative Parkinson’s UK Take Part Hub and co-produced the Staying Connected toolkit in collaboration with the HRA UK.

Session Details:

Patient involvement and engagement, how well are you doing this?

2025-06-11, 11:45 AM

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Maria Lawal
Patient Advocate

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PATIENT STORY: Positive and negative experiences in a patient’s cancer journey: how should clinicians and patients work together?

2025-06-10, 10:45 AM

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Lara Campana
Senior Vice President, Research and Translational Science, Resolution Therapeutics

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CASE STUDY: Challenges and opportunities in cell therapy clinical development outside oncology

2025-06-11, 11:45 AM

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PANEL DISCUSSION: Leveraging technology and innovation to support clinical trial execution

2025-06-10, 2:15 PM

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Joseph Sutton
PhD, Biosample Project Leader and Senior Scientist, Roche

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PANEL DISCUSSION: Leveraging technology and innovation to support clinical trial execution

2025-06-10, 2:15 PM

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Marie Lefebvre
Local Innovation Lead, Sanofi

Marie Lefebvre is a Local Innovation Lead at Sanofi, specializing in developing and implementing innovative strategies to optimize clinical trials. With a Master's degree in Physiology and Computer Sciences from Poitiers University, Marie brings extensive experience in digital project management and clinical operations to her role. At Sanofi, she leads the development and implementation of the UK Clinical Operation Innovation Road Map, focusing on gap analysis, change management, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Beyond her professional achievements, Marie is passionate about sustainability, serving as a Climate Fresk facilitator and actively participating in various environmental initiatives within the industry.

Session Details:

ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS

2025-06-11, 4:00 PM

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Karen O’Hanlon
Chief Development Officer, Stablepharma

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CASE STUDY: Abbreviated clinical trials: driving innovation and expediting development

2025-06-10, 4:30 PM

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Rajinder Sidhu
Associate Director, Research Governance and Operations, UCLH

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PANEL DISCUSSION: Current operational challenges in running commercial clinical trials in the UK/IE: the need for increasing our attractiveness globally

2025-06-11, 2:30 PM

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Esther Kitto
Vice President, Clinical Operations, Resolution Therapeutics

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PANEL DISCUSSION: Current operational challenges in running commercial clinical trials in the UK/IE: the need for increasing our attractiveness globally

2025-06-11, 2:30 PM

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KEYNOTE PANEL: Where is the clinical trial industry headed this year and beyond?

2025-06-10, 10:00 AM

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Dr Fiona Adshead
Chair, Sustainable Healthcare Coalition

Fiona chairs the Sustainable Healthcare Coalition that inspires partnerships and action on sustainable healthcare. She also works as an independent expert advisor and board member for national and global organisations on wellbeing and sustainability.

She is a high-profile wellbeing and public health leader with a track record of reframing thinking and developing innovative strategy and programmes at the heart of business and government. Her previous roles include Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Director General in the UK Government, Director of Chronic Disease and Health Promotion at the World Health Organisation and Bupa’s Chief Wellbeing Officer.

Fiona is a visiting Professor at UCL and is a Senior Associate at Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.  Fiona’s recent board roles include Fresenius ESG Advisory Board, My Green Lab, British Land’s Sustainability Advisory Panel, Marks and Spencer’s Sustainable Retail Advisory Board, and Business in the Community’s Wellbeing Leadership Team. Fiona is a member of the Health System Taskforce of the Sustainable Markets Initiative.

Session Details:

SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT: Inspiring partnerships and action in sustainable healthcare

2025-06-10, 4:00 PM

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Vasee Moorthy
Senior Advisor, R&D, World Health Organization

Dr. Vasee Moorthy is Senior Advisor, Research for Health Department, WHO Science Division, Geneva, Switzerland. Since 2008, he has held progressively senior roles at WHO in malaria vaccine policy development, Ebola vaccine phase 1-2 trials, global norms in sharing research data and results during public health emergencies, WHO R&D Blueprint for action to prevent epidemics, global consensus on clinical trials policy norms, WHO COVID-19 Research & Innovation Roadmap and the WHO Solidarity Trial of therapeutics supporting clinical trials networks in over 40 Member States in all WHO regions, and most recently, the adoption of resolution (WHA75.8) on clinical trials. Prior to joining WHO, Dr. Moorthy worked as a medical researcher at the University of Oxford, UK (2005-2008); with an NGO, PATH, in USA (2003-2005); running a clinical trials programme at MRC Laboratories in The Gambia (1999-2003), and as a government medical officer in Kwazulu/Natal, South Africa (1996-1997). He received a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Cambridge in Natural Sciences, a B.M.B.Ch medical degree and a Ph.D in malaria immunology and clinical trials both from the University of Oxford.

Session Details:

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: WHO’s clinical trial guidance: what do I need to know

2025-06-11, 9:00 AM

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Cameron Keighron
Project Coordinator, International Diabetes Federation of Europe and Trials@Home consortium member, Patient Advocate

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ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS

2025-06-11, 4:00 PM

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Advisory Board

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Bao Dinh
Global Development Business Operation, Takeda

With over 15 years of experience in Clinical Data Management, Bao leads business strategy and vendor operations for Takeda’s Clinical Data Management, Clinical Data Engineering, and Clinical Data Standards groups, driving organizational growth, managing global FSP partnerships, and enhancing cross-functional collaboration. As a member of the 2024–2025 OCT Advisory Board, Bao brings expertise in clinical outsourcing, strategic vendor partnerships, and RFP process optimization, providing a fresh vision for the organization.

Beyond professional achievements, Bao is dedicated to fostering collaboration and investing in the local community. As a partner of The Town FC and a Silicon Valley angel investor, Bao champions ventures that advance sustainable growth, youth enrichment, and innovation in technology.’

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