BIOPHARMA BOSTON

Early bird discount ends 9/25

ASAP Biopharma Boston

The Future of Alliances Starts Here

November 9–11, 2026
Renaissance Boston Seaport · Boston, MA
Boston, Massachusetts Boston, Massachusetts
4Tracks
300+Attendees
70+Speakers
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The future of biopharma alliances in an AI-driven, high-complexity world

What to expect

Three days built by practitioners, for practitioners. Every session is chosen for its real-world relevance, which means you'll leave with strategies, frameworks, and connections you can actually use.

Sessions that reflect the work you do

The 2026 program covers what's actually changing the job: AI moving from experiment to daily toolkit, governance models stretching to handle three, four, or more partners at once, and alliance leaders being asked to own value realization, not just process. No product pitches. No purely theoretical topics. Just the real work our community comes for.

What you'll walk away with

  • Actionable strategies from 50+ alliance leaders and practitioners
  • High-value connections with peers from pharma, biotech, and beyond
  • 12 professional development hours toward CA-AM or CSAP certification renewal
“Networking with peers who truly understand the art and science of alliances was game-changing. I connected with leaders across industries whose insights have reshaped how our teams think about collaboration and value creation.” ~ Kristin Rosner, PhD, CSAP, CA-AM, Senior Director, Global R&D Alliance Management, Takeda

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Featured speakers

Katherine Kendrick

Katherine Kendrick, CSAP, CA-AM, Executive Director, Head of Alliance Management, Jazz Pharmaceuticals

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Arne Worn

Arne Wörn, PhD, Global Head of Alliance Management, Novartis

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Vivian Berlin

Vivian Berlin, PhD, Executive Director, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University

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Chris Coburn

Chris Coburn, Chief Innovation Officer, Mass General Brigham


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Aram Donigian

Aram Donigian, Clinical Professor of Business Administration, Faculty Director, Tuck Business Bridge Program, Dartmouth

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Aleksey Gerasyuto

Aleksey Gerasyuto, PhD,  Senior Vice President, Discovery & Preclinical Development Sciences, Schrödinger

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Program

Sessions and times are subject to change

1:00-5:00 Board of Directors Meeting (Invite only)
6:00-8:00 Board of Directors Dinner (Invite only)
8:00-2:30

Alliance Essential Course  (separate registration and fee required)
Lynda McDermott, CA-AM, Equipro International

8:00-2:30 Applied Alliance Management Course formerly called the CA-AM Exam Prep (separate registration and fee required)
Swati Prasad, PhD, CSAP CA-AM, Alloy Therapeutics
8:00-2:30 Alliance Strategy & Leadership Course (separate registration and fee required)
Ann Trampas, CSAP, CA-AM, University of Illinois at Chicago
8:00-2:30 Mastering Alliance Management: Driving Clarity, Value, and Influence in Alliance Leadership Course (separate registration and fee required)
Vickie Dalton, PsyD & Nick Palmer
8:30-12:30      ASAP Advisory Council Meeting (w/ the Board of Directors) & Luncheon (Invite only)
12:00-2:00

Boston Dine-Arounds

Kick off your BioPharma Boston experience with a casual lunch alongside a small group of fellow attendees. These intimate dine-arounds are a great way to connect and network before the conference begins.  An additional fee applies. Sign up under Networking Add-Ons in the conference registration.

11:30-2:30

Executive Leadership Luncheon & Forum (Invite only)
Andre Heeg, MD, Upward ARC

DAY 1: ALLIANCE LEADERSHIP IN A CHANGING WORLD

3:00-3:15

BioPharma Boston Kick-Off, Nicole Boston, CAE, CA-AM, ASAP; Katherine Kendrick, CSAP, CA-AM, Jazz Pharmaceuticals; Arne Worn, Novartis

3:15-3:45

Extreme Negotiations Aram Donigian, Tuck Business Bridge Program at Dartmouth
What do high-stakes negotiations in military operations have in common with the complex negotiations that shape today's business partnerships? More than most people realize. Drawing on his experience negotiating with tribal leaders, local officials, and assorted international partners while serving in the U.S. military, Aram Donigian explores the principles that determine success when the stakes are high, trust is fragile, and relationships must endure despite competing interests. In this keynote, Aram shares powerful stories from the field and translates them into practical lessons for leaders navigating strategic partnerships, cross-functional decision making, commercial negotiations, and organizational change. Participants will gain fresh perspectives on building trust under pressure, understanding interests beyond positions, using creativity to manage uncertainty, and creating influence without authority. Whether leading a critical alliance or negotiating a complex agreement, learn to succeed in the most challenging negotiation environments—where relationships matter as much as results. 

3:45-4:15

New Global Innovation Ecosystems: China
TBD

4:30-5:15

Leading Alliances in the Age of AI, Brooke Paige, CSAP, CA-AM, Novartis (invited), Crystal Dillon, Eli Lilly, CA-AM (invited), & Fern McSorley, PhD, Isomorphic Labs (invited)

5:15-5:45

The External Forces No Alliance Can Ignore: How Policy, Pricing, & Geopolitics Are Reshaping Partnerships, Mark Bolton, Jazz Pharmaceuticals

5:45-6:00

Alliance Excellence Awards, Katherine Kendrick, CSAP, CA-AM, Jazz Pharmaceuticals & Nicole Boston, CAE, CA-AM, ASAP
6:00-8:00 Welcome and Awardee Celebration Reception (all invited)
6:00 - 7:00
Brooke's Boston Stroll (Run/Walk) - Free Activity
 
Lace up and explore Boston's rich history on foot with Brooke Paige and fellow attendees-whether you run, jog or walk, it's a perfect way to connect and energize.
6:45-7:45
CSAP Breakfast (invite only)
 DAY 2: AI, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION, AND NEW INNOVATION MODELS
8:00-8:10
Welcome Back, Katherine Kendrick & Arne Worn
8:10-8:40
From Discovery to Delivery: Building the Partnerships That Advance Innovation, Chris Coburn, Mass General Brigham
8:40-9:10
 The Science Behind Successful AI/Biopharma Alliances: Lessons from the Frontlines 
Aleksey Gerasyuto, PhD,
Schrödinger 
While traditional biopharma alliances often center on specific therapeutic assets, the rapid evolution of computational and AI-driven drug discovery has introduced a fundamentally new partnering paradigm. These alliances require a distinct approach, capitalizing on the synergistic strengths of each partner by combining the deep integration of proprietary technology with close, cross-functional team collaboration.
Drawing on Schrödinger’s extensive history of successful, large-scale collaborations with leading global pharma and biotech companies, this presentation will explore the unique anatomy of these partnerships. Aleksey will unpack the specific opportunities and challenges these collaborations present. Through real-world case studies, the presentation will highlight key learnings, common hurdles, and proven best practices for fostering AI-driven collaborative innovation
9:10-9:40
TBD
9:40- 10:10
Break
10:10-10:55

Building Successful AI-Enabled Discovery Alliances, Moderated by Kristin Rosner, PhD, CSAP, CA-AM, Takeda; Frances Anastassacos, PhD, Nabla Bio, Karen Berna, CSAP, CA-AM, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Echoe Bouta, PhD, Takeda, Kris Deibler, PhD, Novo Nordisk

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are reshaping drug discovery, accelerating innovation while introducing new partnership complexities. From business development negotiations through alliance execution, organizations must navigate evolving challenges around intellectual property, data governance, proprietary algorithms, and cross-functional collaboration. Success depends on balancing innovation with appropriate protections while aligning scientific, technology, and alliance management teams around shared objectives. In this interactive panel discussion, experienced pharmaceutical and biotechnology leaders will share practical strategies for structuring, launching, and managing AI-enabled discovery collaborations. Attendees will gain real-world insights into negotiating agreements, fostering trust and transparency, protecting valuable assets, and establishing governance practices that enable agile, productive partnerships capable of delivering long-term scientific and business value.

10:55-11:40

TBD

11:50-12:30

BREAKOUTS 

Track 1

AI, Digital Innovation & the Future of Alliance Management

Before the Bots:  Building The Foundation for AI-Enabled Alliance Success, Jennifer Christian, AbbVie & Melanie Patterson, PhD, AbbVie

Track 2

Alliance Leadership & Value Creation

Transitioning from Single Partnership to a Strategic Alliance Portfolio , Krista Durney, PhD, Valo Health & Nancy Griffin, EdD, CSAP, CA-AM, Valo Health
How can a small company evolve from managing its first collaboration to orchestrating a strategic partnership portfolio? Valo Health leaders share their journey from a single 2023 partnership to managing multiple collaborations by the end of 2025. Discover essential strategies for shifting from transactional thinking to a portfolio-level partnership strategy, systematically developing alliance management capabilities in resource-constrained environments, and fostering a partnering mindset across the organization. Gain actionable insights on capability development and strategic prioritization, learn practical approaches to creating effective management reporting structures, and understand scalability in agile, resource-constrained organizations 

Track 3

Complex Partnerships, Governance & Cross Sector Collaborations

Novel Governance Models for AI-Enabled Alliances:  Scaling Beyond Bilateral Structures to Multi-Partner Complex Ecosystems, Swati Prasad, PhD, CSAP, CA-AM, Alloy Therapeutics

Track 4

Global Collaboration, Discovery Partnerships & Academia

Overcoming Challenges and Building High-Impact Academic Alliances , Kimberly Griffin, PhD, Stanford University, Sabrina Kamran, PhD, CA-AM, Boston Children's Hospital, Matthew Moscato, Nationwide Children's Hospital, & Seohee You, PhD, University of Michigan
Managing alliances in academic settings presents unique challenges due to complex organizational structures. While some institutions have dedicated alliance managers, many professionals juggle multiple roles, such as technology transfer and program management, leading to misalignment and slower execution. Academic institutions consist of various departments and labs, resulting in distributed decision-making and diverse incentives. This panel session offers practical approaches to building successful, high-impact alliances with academic partners by understanding their organizational structures and strategic priorities. Participants will learn to manage expectations, identify suitable partners, and align academic priorities like publications and funding with industry objectives. Building relationships beyond the scientific team, including tech transfer and department leadership, is crucial for maintaining successful alliances. Attendees will gain insights into managing data-sharing, IP complexity, and stakeholder coordination, ensuring alignment with industry partner objectives and fostering a collaborative environment. 

12:30-1:30

Lunch

12:30-1:30

Academic Alliances Peer Group Lunch

1:30-1:35

Welcome Back

1:35-2:05

Academic Innovation Partnerships: Turning Discovery Into Impact, Vivian Berlin, PhD, Harvard University 

Scientific discovery is advancing at an unprecedented pace, fueled by breakthroughs in AI, data science, genomics and emerging technologies. Yet the greatest innovations will only reach patients through strong partnerships that connect academics, start-ups, healthcare systems, investors, and the biopharma industry.  Drawing on Harvard Medical School’s experience at the forefront of technology transfer and innovation, the talk will cover how the biomedical innovation landscape is evolving and how cross-sector collaboration is becoming the foundation for translating scientific discovery.

2:05-2:35

TBD

2:35-3:05

Afternoon Puppy Break (yes, puppies!)

3:05-3:45

Breakouts

Track 1

AI, Digital Innovation & the Future of Alliance Management

What Changes When AI Enters the Alliance Managers Toolkit?,  Stefan Walke, PhD, CA-AM, Boehringer Ingelheim

Track 2

Alliance Leadership & Value Creation 

Alliance Leaders' Evolving Mandate: Owning Value Realization, Jan Twombly, CSAP, CA-AM, The Rhythm of Business
Enterprising life science alliance leaders are expanding their roles beyond governance and stakeholder orchestration, recognizing that value does not materialize on its own. Proficient and purposeful execution is essential, and alliance leaders are now central to this process. This session demonstrates how the profession is embracing its value realization mandate across the entire product lifecycle. Drawing on over 20 years of data and experiences from complex biopharma partnerships, we provide specific examples of how alliance leaders engineer value realization using simple tools that expose misalignment and create opportunities for realignment. We illustrate how alliance leaders reduce risk through consistent operating discipline and mobilize the enterprise to perform in a partner-dependent model. Participants will leave with practical tools to strengthen execution and deliver the promised value of their alliances. Attendees will learn to engineer operating discipline that drives real value, use practical tools to spot misalignment early, and apply methods to engage the enterprise in a partner-dependent strategy and operating model. 

Track 3

Complex Partnerships, Governance & Cross Sector Collaborations 

Beyond the Contract: When Strategic Vendors Need Alliance Management, Gregg Jewett, Genmab

Track 4

Global Collaboration, Discovery Partnerships & Academia 

Strategic use of Alliance Management Best Practice Across Sectors
Steve Andrews, PhD, University of Cambridge, Fiona Ducotterd, PhD, CSAP, CA-AM  ARUK Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, Fiona Jeganathan, PhD, ARUK Drug Discovery Institute, University College London & Emma Mead, PhD, Oxford University

3:55-4:35

BREAKOUTS

Track 1

AI, Digital Innovation & the Future of Alliance Management 

Introducing MAESTRO: Building a Practical Digital Backbone for Modern Alliance Management, Karen Berna, CSAP, CA-AM, Jazz Pharmaceuticals 

Track 2

Alliance Leadership & Value Creation 

Who Leads When No One   is in Charge?  The Alliance Manager's Role in Shaping Leadership in 50:50 Collaborations, Andi Gardner, PharmD, CA-AM, Biogen & Jennifer Berg, Supernus Pharmaceuticals

Track 3

Complex Partnerships, Governance & Cross Sector Collaborations

From Silos to Synery: Making Complex Governance Work for siRNA Innovation, Amy Arthur, PhD, ADARx & Allison Hoch, PhD, Abbvie 

Track 4

Global Collaboration, Discovery Partnerships & Academia

Designing an Ecosystem for Impact:  The LifeArc-CF Trust Translational Innovation Hub, Thunicia Moodely, PhD, CA-AM, LifeArc & Rebecca Wilson, PhD, CA-AM,
LifeArc This session explores how alliance management can accelerate impact in rare diseases by embedding cross-organizational teams within a purpose-built ecosystem. Using the LifeArc-Cystic Fibrosis Trust Translational Innovation Hub as a case study, we demonstrate how structured collaboration across multiple academic institutions aligns scientific leadership, optimizes limited research funding, and drives translation in areas of persistent unmet need. Participants will learn how charities and co-funders collaborate with academics to design effective academic ecosystems. The session will highlight how effective governance and clear processes facilitate operational excellence, enabling not only program delivery but also capability building. This approach develops the next generation of researchers while compounding scientific and translational outcomes across partners. Attendees will gain insights into optimizing research and fostering impactful collaborations 

4:45-5:25

BREAKOUTS

 Track 1

AI, Digital Innovation & the Future of Alliance Management

GA Catalyst AI: Reshaping the Alliance Leader's Role with AI,  Ori Maller, PhD, Bristol Myers Squibb

Imagine every Alliance Leader having a trusted AI colleague fluent in partnership best practices. At Bristol Myers Squibb, we developed GA Catalyst AI, an agentic AI designed to support alliance professionals across the partnership lifecycle, from governance design to risk mitigation and execution. Grounded in the BMS Global Alliances playbook, GA Catalyst AI delivers context-aware guidance that strengthens consistency, preserves institutional knowledge, and enables more informed strategic decisions. This work is part of BMS's broader enterprise AI transformation to advance new ways of working and support the company's next phase of growth—and what it means for the Alliance Leader's evolving role. Through real-world alliance scenarios, participants will see how GA Catalyst AI reinforces best practices and drives performance optimization.

 

Track 2

Alliance Leadership & Value Creation

Sustainable Alliance Management: People-First Leadership for Success,
Niccolo Ciuffi, CA-AM, mAbxience 

Successful alliances rely on trust, engagement, and quality human interactions, not just strategy and governance. Sustainable Alliance Management emphasizes a people-first approach, recognizing communication, energy, and relationships as core drivers of long-term success. This session shares real-world experiences where the human dimension determined outcomes, such as transforming challenging partnerships and addressing burnout through shared ownership. Participants will learn to apply stakeholder psychology and people-first leadership to manage complex dynamics, adapt communication styles across organizational levels, and leverage strong relationships with Alliance Management counterparts. These strategies enhance team dynamics, prevent burnout, and drive sustainable business outcomes, ultimately benefiting individuals and organizations alike. Attendees will gain actionable tools to improve engagement, accelerate problem-solving, and create alliances that are sustainable for people and organizations.

Track 3

Complex Partnerships, Governance & Cross Sector Collaborations

Aligning Internally to Deliver Externally: The Alliance Behind the Alliance , Jessica Goodman, PhD, CSAP, CA-AM, Takeda, Andrew Ferguson, PhD, CA-AM, Takeda, Neha Garg, PhD, Derek Smith, Takeda, & Aaron Welch, Takeda
As biopharma deals grow larger and more complex, the internal operating model behind each partnership increasingly determines its success. This panel introduces a two-function model at Takeda, emphasizing that the strength of an external alliance relies on the internal alliance supporting it. The R&D Asset Transition & Integration Office (RATIO) leads operational transitions, while Global Alliance Management (GAM) provides strategic oversight. Together, they present a unified face to partners. Panelists will discuss how this model works, the evolution of responsibilities, essential alignment points, and common challenges. Participants will learn to differentiate roles, map internal responsibilities, apply lessons to their organizations, and anticipate integration stumbling blocks 

Track 4

Global Collaboration, Discovery Partnerships & Academia

One Partner, Multiple Interfaces: Delivering One Alliance Experience, Lauren Bautista, Bristol Myers Squibb & Melissa Nifenecker,
Bristol Myers Squibb As biopharma partnerships expand across manufacturing and supply networks, the traditional single alliance leader model is no longer sufficient to deliver end-to-end value. This session introduces a practical dual-layer alliance management approach that integrates Global Alliance Management with Product Development & Supply (PDS) Alliance Management. Drawing on real-world lessons, speakers will demonstrate how clearly defined roles, governance, and decision rights align deal strategy with manufacturing and supply execution. Attendees will learn how to reduce organizational complexity, strengthen cross-functional collaboration, and create a seamless "one company" partner experience from negotiation through commercial supply. 

5:25-5:55

Grab a Refreshment and Head to Dinner

8:30-10:00

After Glow Reception (all invited) Sponsored by Vantage Partners

Registration

Conference Rate - $2,699 / $2,299 early rate ends 9/25

Member Rate - $2,159 / $1,839 early rate ends 9/25

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“ASAP’s BioPharma Conference is unequivocally the most valuable event I attend each year. The rich content and community elevate my career and alliance capabilities."

Logistics

Venue & Room Block

Renaissance Boston Seaport District
606 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210
Reserve Now 

ASAP has secured discounted room rate of $269+ per/night (until October 19, 2026 or when the block is full). 

Justification Letter

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"The ASAP BioPharma Conference is a transformative experience that brings together the brightest minds in the industry. The insights and connects are invaluable."

Sponsors

We’re grateful to our sponsors whose support makes this event possible and strengthens the entire ASAP community. Their partnership enables us to deliver meaningful programs and experiences throughout the year. Interested in becoming an ASAP sponsor? Visit our sponsorship page to learn more and connect with us.

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