Explore the Agenda
8:00 am Check In & Coffee
8:25 am Chair’s Opening Remarks
Optimizing Sourcing Models to Maximize Supplier Value for Long-Term Partnerships
8:30 am Redefining Supplier Value to Build Partnerships That Deliver Beyond Cost Savings
- Expanding value metrics to include innovation, speed, quality, and scientific contribution
- Understanding how leading pharma and biotech firms are quantifying “total value” across multi-year relationships
- Embedding supplier performance insights into strategic planning to ensure sustainable mutual growth
9:00 am Presentation Reserved for:
9:30 am Strengthening Collaborative Supplier Ecosystems to Accelerate R&D Outcomes
- Building co-innovation frameworks that enable suppliers to contribute scientific and operational breakthroughs
- Creating transparent feedback loops and shared KPIs to enhance accountability and trust across the partnership lifecycle
- Leveraging long-term supplier engagement to improve agility, knowledge transfer, and R&D delivery timelines
10:00 am Presentation Reserved for:
10:30 am Morning Break & Networking
Track A: Leading Procurement
Strengthening R&D Procurement Resilience Through Risk Mitigation & Supplier Diversification
11:30 am Mapping Global Supply Chain Vulnerabilities to Build Proactive Risk Mitigation Strategies
- Identifying and assessing geopolitical, regulatory, and logistical risks in R&D supply networks
- Leveraging data and supplier intelligence to anticipate disruptions before they impact timelines
- Creating agile procurement response models that ensure continuity in critical R&D programs
12:00 pm Creating Cost Efficiencies Through Strategic R&D Procurement & Vendor Management
- Integrating procurement earlier in the R&D value chain to identify savings opportunities without compromising scientific innovation
- Streamlining vendor selection and management processes to reduce duplication, improve agility, and strengthen operational alignment
- Embedding long-term performance metrics and collaborative governance models to ensure sustained value from CRO, CMO, and technology partnerships
Track B: Executing Procurement
Optimizing Purchase Order Management to Drive Visibility, Control, & Supplier Engagement
11:30 am Standardizing Purchase Order Workflows to Enhance Visibility, Accuracy & Spend Control Across R&D Procurement
- Implementing harmonized PO processes to reduce errors and cycle times in complex R&D environments
- Leveraging data and automation to track spending at project, category, and supplier levels
- Integrating PO governance with finance and project management systems for seamless reporting
12:00 pm Optimizing Purchase Order Governance to Strengthen Compliance, Transparency & Financial Alignment in R&D Procurement
- Establishing clear approval frameworks and audit-ready PO controls to ensure compliance across global R&D operations
- Utilizing real-time spend analytics to improve forecasting, budget tracking, and supplier accountability
- Connecting procurement, finance, and R&D functions to streamline PO execution and enhance end-to-end visibility
12:30 pm Lunch
Track A: Leading Procurement
Ensuring Continuous R&D Operations Through Robust & Tested Business Continuity Plans
1:30 pm Panel: Evolving the Identity of Procurement to Deliver Strategic Value & Shape R&D Success
- Examining the evolving role of procurement from cost control to strategic enabler
- Exploring how procurement can influence innovation, compliance, and risk management
- Sharing lessons from pharma, biotech, and CRO leaders on building high-impact procurement functions
2:00 pm Building the Next-Generation Procurement Organization to Drive Transformation, Agility, & Growth
- Developing the right skills, culture, and leadership to navigate complex R&D environments
- Structuring teams to manage global supplier networks and emerging categories effectively
- Embedding agile practices and continuous improvement to deliver measurable strategic impact
Track B: Executing Procurement
Driving Responsible & Integrated Sourcing to Enhance Innovation & ESG Alignment
1:30 pm Directing Responsible & Integrated Sourcing to Unlock Innovation & Build Resilient R&D Supply Networks
- Creating structured frameworks to engage small, minority-owned, and specialized suppliers
- Measuring the tangible value of supplier diversity beyond compliance innovation, flexibility, and risk mitigation
- Collaborating across procurement and R&D functions to embed inclusiveness into sourcing strategy
2:00 pm Roundtable: Embedding Sustainability Metrics Into Supplier Partnerships to Align Procurement With ESG & R&D Objectives
- Incorporating sustainability KPIs into supplier scorecards and long-term agreements
- Partnering with CROs, CMOs, and niche vendors to reduce environmental and operational impact
- Balancing performance, compliance, and sustainability without compromising project timelines
2:30 pm Afternoon Break & Networking
3:00 pm Embedding Long-Term Supplier Relationship Management to Ensure Reliability, Quality, & Strategic Agility
- Building SRM frameworks that balance operational oversight with relationship development
- Using supplier segmentation to tailor engagement approaches across critical, niche, and strategic vendors
- Applying performance analytics to proactively identify risks and opportunities in long-term partnerships
Navigating Regulatory Frameworks to Unlock Flexibility & Value in R&D Procurement
3:30 pm Roundtable: Aligning Procurement With FDA’s Non-Animal Testing Initiative to Advance Ethical & Efficient Pre-Clinical Research
- Partnering with R&D, regulatory, and supplier ecosystems to adopt validated in vitro and in silico alternatives
- Reassessing sourcing frameworks and supplier qualification to support non-animal testing technologies
- Learning from early adopters on balancing scientific rigor, regulatory acceptance, and operational feasibility
4:00 pm Aligning Supplier Performance Metrics to Strengthen Partnerships & Improve Delivery Outcomes
- Designing fair and transparent KPIs that incentivize collaboration rather than compliance
- Implementing shared performance dashboards to monitor delivery, innovation, and responsiveness
- Leveraging data insights to identify high-performing suppliers and address underperformance early