top of page

DDIF ATTENDEES

PAST SPEAKERS

GBX ICON PURPLE.png
Laura Matz, Chief Scientific & Technology Officer at Merck #DDIF

Laura Matz

Chief Science & Technology Officer

Merck

GBX ICON PURPLE.png
Richard Bickerton  scaled_edited_edited_edited.png

Richard Bickerton

Chief System

Scientist Exscientia

GBX ICON PURPLE.png
Chris Gibson

Chris Gibson

CEO

Recursion

GBX ICON PURPLE.png
Fred Manby

Fred Manby

CEO

Iambic Therapeutics

GBX ICON PURPLE.png
Craig Johnstone

Craig Johnstone

Chief Operating Officer

Evotec

GBX ICON PURPLE.png
Ashwini_edited.png

Ashwini Ghogare

Head of AI and Automation for Drug Discovery

Merck

DSC09728_edited.png

Leaders shaping the future of drug discovery and beyond

KEYNOTES & ADVISORY

“Our very survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and to face the challenge of change.” – Martin Luther King

DDIF_Bayer_edited.jpg
DDIF
For the patients, we must do better.

DDIF 2025

10th & 11th September 2025 Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower, Spain Co-located with 8th Annual Cell & Gene Therapy Innovation Summit #CGTI

Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower, Spain

Where Visionary Leadership Meets Transformative Innovation

 

The Drug Discovery to Development Leaders summit gathers a global community of C-suite executives, pioneering scientists, and forward-thinking strategists who are at the forefront of transforming the future of pharma. This isn’t just another industry event—it’s a powerful catalyst for change. Tailored for leaders eager to break down silos and drive next-generation innovation, our program dives into the future of drug discovery with a focus on emerging technologies.

Join us to explore how macrocyclic drug candidates, small molecules, generative AI, machine learning, and Explainable AI (XAI) are revolutionising early-stage research, uncovering novel drug candidates, and reshaping the most complex phase of development: Phase 3 clinical trials. XAI, with its ability to provide transparency and build trust in AI-driven decisions, is playing a pivotal role in accelerating the journey from discovery to approval. Together, we’ll chart a bold path forward—empowering CROs, IRO’s and industry leaders to bring life-saving therapies to patients faster, smarter, and more efficiently than ever before.

Learn more

GBXEVENTS2024_
GBX
Learn more

Confirmed Speakers

Learn more

Register Interest

GBXEVENTS2024-168_
Learn more

Programme

GBX

Laura Matz

Chief Science & Technology Officer at Merck Group

GBX

Jose Duca

Global Head of Computer-Aided Drug Discovery at Novartis

GBX

Nuno Prego Ramos

Founder & CEO of Valvian

GBX

Petrina Kamya

VP & Global Head of AI Platforms at Insilico Medicine

GBX

Werngard Czechtizky

Executive Director Head Medicinal Chemistry, Respiratory and Immunology at AstraZeneca

GBX

Rudi Schmidt

Chief Operating Officer at Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi

GBX

Louis Boon

CSO of JJP Biologics

GBX

Uli Schmidt

Executive Director, Structural Chemistry at Gilead Sciences

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS 2025

Merck_DDIF_
2025 PROGRAMME SNAPSHOT
GBXevents_DDIF2025_

KEY TOPICS

  • Revolutionising healthcare through digital innovation

  • AI-Enhanced Clinical Trials

  • Explainable AI (XAI) in Drug Discovery enhances the interpretability, transparency, and trustworthiness of AI tools.

  • AI in biomarker discovery and personalised medicine

  • A novel and differentiated approach to targeted protein degradation

  • Integration of Quantum computing in drug discovery

GBXevents_DDIF2025

VENDOR FOCUS

  • Biomarker discovery and personalised Medicine

  • Explainable AI (XAI)

  • Generative AI for drug design

  • AI-Accelerated clinical trials

  • AI-Driven drug repurposing

  • Integration of AI with genomics and bioinformatics

  • Advancements in protein structure prediction

  • Advances in Gene Editing technologies

GBXevents_DDIF2025

WHY & MISSION

For over 16 years, we’ve walked alongside the pioneers—the CXOs, thought leaders, and bold thinkers pushing the boundaries of drug discovery. What brings us together, beyond titles and disciplines, is a deeper calling: the drive to make a real difference. We’re united by purpose, fueled by possibility, and grounded in one undeniable truth—patients deserve better. And that’s why we show up - for the patients. And ‘For the patients, we must do better’.

A panel discussion at The Annual Drug Discovery Innovation Forum #DDIF

WHY ATTEND

Engage in thought-provoking discussions on challenges and opportunities facing the drug discovery industry

Revolutionize R&D through AI & Machine Learning

In-Person only attendance of up to 200 decision-makers

Maximise your time by taking part in our exclusive pre-qualified one-to-one networking service

Hear exclusively from renowned leaders presenting on challenges when leveraging digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and machine learning in your innovation cycle

Leveraging AI to unblock drug discovery, drug repurposing and target validation

Explore the latest advancements, breakthroughs, and innovative approaches in the quest for new drugs and therapies

Uncover novel therapeutics targets, drug candidates, and innovative approaches that can drive the development of life-changing treatments

Journey of a CXO - witness in person The Why? The journey and destination of some of the most inspirational CXO’s in the industry

Franhofer_Merck
"Our mission remains the same - deliver accurate, reliable and compelling content that equates to business partnerships and collaborations that impact better patients outcomes."
GBXevents_DDIF2025_

INNOVATION SPOTLIGHT

  • Revolutionising healthcare through Digital Innovation by Merck

  • Case-Studies in AI-Driven Drug Discovery by Insilico Medicine

  • Meeting Pharma Challenges Head-on with AI Innovation by Aion Labs

  • AI/ML and Drug Discovery: ab in silico ad humanum by Novartis

GBXevents_DDIF2025_

WHY ATTEND

  • In-person only

  • Closed door

  • Boutique 

  • Pre qualified and invited audience

  • Curated meetings

  • Fireside chats

  • Evaluate partnerships, ROI, and IP potential

  • Validate science, novel MOAs, ROI on early R&D investments

  • Competitive advantage, strategic alignment, pilot opportunities

GBXevents_DDIF2025_

WHO ATTENDS

  • Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)

  • Head of R&D

  • Head of Drug Discovery

  • Translational Medicine

  • VP/Director of Computational Biology - Bioinformatics - Data Science

  • Head of Innovation - AI Strategy - Outsourcing - Integration - Digital Transformation

  • Business Development - Corporate Strategy Teams

DSC09728_

Type of Job Titles Attending:

  • CEO

  • CSO

  • CTO

  • CIO

  • EVP/SVP/VP

  • Director

Type of Companies Attending:

  • Pharmaceutical Organizations

  • Pharma and Research Institutions

  • Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations

  • Government and Regulatory Agencies

  • Biotech Companies

  • Drug Discovery Solution Providers

  • Digital health and software providers

  • Logistics and supply chain companies

How CAN WE really use AI to advance drug discovery?

An invite only assembly of up to 200 leaders committed in making an impact.

GBXEVENTS2024-74_
It's people, their stories and this momentum that inspires purpose

THE NUMBERS

200+

Up to 200 decision-makers in person. Previous attendee demographics include 50% EMEA, 30% America and 20% ROW

20%

20% best-of-breed vendors supporting the drug discovery industry

06

Journey of CXO presentations. Six insightful, powerful and inspirational talks from CXOs in the industry

02

Exclusive in-person networking, over 2 days in Barcelona 2025

7+

Pre-scheduled and pre-qualified one-to-one meetings with delegates who can either influence or make a decision

90%

Over 90% of our attendance provided positive feedback. Please click here to see what our delegation has to say

PREVIOUS SPEAKERS

bottom of page