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 in legal and compliance with an emphasis on #AI

AI practice leader and head of medical affairs centre of excellence at Sorcero.

In he current role, Zeinab supports bringing AI solutions to Medical and Commercial teams with an aim to improve operational excellence and enhance date driven decision making using insights and data.

She previously worked as the global head of medical transformation for Kite Pharma and was responsible for driving Medical Affairs impact measurement at Gilead and Kite.

Neel leads the LLM squad at Roche Information Solutions that develops Gen AI solutions for digital healthcare software. Prior to Roche, Neel was a researcher in AI applied to respiratory diagnostics at KU Leuve in Belgium. His research led to several high-impact publications and was further developed into successful commercial software through a spin-off company. His work on AI-powered clinical decision-making algorithms in respiratory medicine won the prestigious UK NHS AI award
in 2020.

Jordi Escayola, MBA, PhD - Global Head of Advanced Analytics and Artificial Intelligence in Sanofi CHC with 17 years in the industry. Jordi has developed and implemented more than 80 projects in his career in multinational environments, which includes a strong consulting and strategic background. He is also contributing in some universities and researching centers as a professor and advisor.

Marco Andre is the Global Head of Marketing and Generative AI Excellence at Novartis. He is a keynote speaker, AI advisor to executives and a published author.

Marco has worked for 20+ years in companies such as Google, Procter & Gamble and YouTube, where he held local, regional and global roles in Marketing, Sales, Partnerships and Operations. Marco’s achievements include scaling a country marketing operation 4x in two years, managing a $20M brand budget across 18 EMEA countries and advising C-Level executives on digital transformation for brands worth $40B in sales.

Outside of work, Marco is the author of the book - Imperfect Stories, and builds a ton of LEGO. He is a proud owner of 20+ sets, with his favorite one being the Star Wars Millennium Falcon.

Lars Böhm is a Partner at IBM Consulting and responsible for the Life Sciences business in Switzerland. He believes in the power of technology to further tranform how medicine is created, therapies are delivered, and health data is analysed. Throughout his career he has been working on the forefront of artificial intelligence, computing and data processing to support the pharmaceutical and medical device industry improving productivity and creating new solutions for patients. Lars embraces collaborating with clients to excellently deliver business impact. He earned a diploma in business computing from the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University and a master of business administration from Warwick University.

Leading Bayer's Decision Science for Computer Vision & Sound Analysis, his expertise lies in artificial intelligence and machine learning, with a focus on medical imaging and audio signal processing. At the helm, he has successfully directed a geographically dispersed team in developing generative AI solutions, significantly contributing to Bayer's innovative edge in healthcare technology.

His leadership has been instrumental in integrating cutting-edge multimodal AI into practical applications, bolstering Bayer's position in the industry. By fostering collaboration and empowering his team, they've advanced strategic research and product development, ultimately enhancing patient care and treatment outcomes through their pioneering efforts in AI-driven healthcare solutions.

In a leadership role, Nikita directs initiatives that integrate innovative technologies into clinical studies.

As an Innovation Manager at a global pharmaceutical company UCB , she has a proven track record in managing corporate digital strategies for devices and software on a global scale.

Also worked at Signant Health, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Re:Cognition Health Ltd 

Neel Edeling, is a pioneering leader in the implementation of AI solutions within the pharmaceutical industry. Neel joined LEO Pharma’s, Advanced Analytics Solutions as a Senior IT System Manager in 2024. Her role is ensuring the team in supporting, maintaining, and continuously developing technical Software Development Life-Cycle documentation. Additionally, she is providing compliance and regulatory guidance, execute validation and qualification activities, and serve as the primary contact for compliance-related activities in Digital Strategy, Partnering & Analytics.

Neel holds a Master of Science degree in Design & Technology and has extensive experience from her previous Commercial IT roles for Lundbeck, Ascendis Pharma and at Novartis implementing the first Digital Customer Facing platforms. With over ten+ years in technology advisory and customer engagement, Neel has been instrumental in driving transformative AI solutions within the pharmaceutical industry. Her expertise spans technical and compliance-related activities, and she has successfully launched new AI-driven products and services in the European market.

Dr. Julia Appelskog is a seasoned pharmacovigilance (PV) expert with extensive experience in leveraging advanced technologies to enhance drug safety monitoring. As an advocate for innovation in the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Appelskog has been at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into pharmacovigilance practices.

Dr. Julia Appelskog is the EU/UK QPPV and heads the QPPV Office at Novavax. An accomplished leader with over 22 years of experience in leading all facets of PV, quality assurance, and regulatory operations within the healthcare sector, Dr. Appelskog brings a wealth of expertise to her role. She also has eight years of experience in cancer and diabetes research, underscoring her deep knowledge in these critical areas.

A strategic thinker, Dr. Appelskog has a proven capacity to implement effective PV strategies in adherence with industry best practices. In previous roles, Dr. Appelskog led global PV teams at Bluefish Pharmaceuticals, TFS, and Merck. She was also responsible for Nordic PV Hubs at MSD, Johnson & Johnson, and Sanofi Pasteur MSD.

Dr. Appelskog earned her PhD in cell biology and diabetes at the Karolinska Institute (Sweden) in 2001. She then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at Karolinska Institute, where she conducted research on epigenetic mechanisms and the modification of DNA and its associated proteins in tumor cells.

Dr. Appelskog, a prolific contributor to the field, was an active member of the EMA EudraVigilance Working Group (EWPWG), EuropaBio, and International PV Working Group (IPWG) at EFPIA, TransCelerate, AESGP, and Medicine for Europe. She also served as Chairman of the PV Working Group at the Swedish Generic Medicines Association (FGL).

Dr. Appelskog is also the author of two influential books: "ChatGPT in Pharmacovigilance" and "AI Text Tools for Everyone,” which explore the transformative potential of AI in drug safety and everyday applications.

He is a seasoned professional and the current Global Marketing Excellence & Capability Building Director for MEAR & APAC at Merck Group.

Possessing more than two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical field, his vast expertise is supported by the management of several multi-million-dollar sales portfolios that have witnessed significant growth over the years.

In past and current positions, he has led international projects where he developed business strategies, ensuring delivery excellence for clients. Throughout his career, he has maintained a track record of consistently accomplishing and exceeding goals. He has developed his own set of methodologies that enhance chances of success, motivate growth, and attract opportunities.

Owing to the global perspective he has acquired over the years, stakeholder management is an essential part of his responsibilities. He has an acute understanding of fostering individual relationships with colleagues and customers alike, and can connect and inspire team members across cultural boundaries and professional specialties.

During his time at Merck Group, more than 60% of his team received upward promotions in their career paths - a testament to his ability to inspire and guide his teams to perform at their utmost potential.