11/03/2025  |  Annabel Kartal Allen  |  Clinical Trials Arena

https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/news/outsourcing-clinical-trials-dach-2025-conference-agenda/ 

Experts at the 2025 OCT DACH conference will dive into the potential of the European region amid a shifting clinical trial landscape.

As geopolitical tensions between the US and China mount, the clinical trials landscape has undergone a notable shift. While these changes play out in real time, eyes are now shifting towards key industry player Europe, which has traditionally maintained a strong presence across this area of the pharmaceutical industry.

At Arena International’s Outsourcing in Clinical Trials (OCT) DACH 2025 conference, countries within the region, including Germany, Austria and Switzerland, will be the topic on everybody’s lips, as key industry leaders from across the pharma and healthcare sectors gather in Zurich, Switzerland, to talk clinical trial operations, outsourcing and patient engagement.

The conference, which is taking place on 12-13 November, will open its doors to a wide range of industry professionals, including senior executives, operational experts and technology specialists, who will meet to discuss the most pressing topics within the clinical trials landscape.

Harnessing data for improved trial outcomes
Proceedings will include a topical panel discussion on generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), which will home in on the technology’s future potential through its long-term, strategic and targeted use.

Moderator and GlobalData senior analyst Sonnika Lamont will be joined by Piotr Maslak, senior director and head of emerging technologies at AstraZeneca; John Elver Jimenez Suarez, clinical data management specialist at Nestle; and Rachel Horovitz, the VP of product strategy at Medidata AI.

In another session, Lamont will continue this theme, discussing the benefits of leveraging real-time data monitoring tools to enhance site selection, feasibility studies and the development of a good early-phase protocol.

Planning early trials
Throughout the OCT DACH 2025 conference, experts will place a key focus on initial planning, touting its benefits in running a smooth and successful clinical trial.

This includes a session by Novotech’s clinical services and innovation senior director Daniela Caiazza, who will discuss the benefits of running comprehensive and well thought out early-phase (EP) studies. During the session, she will delve into the potential of robust EP trials as a springboard to EU biotech clinical trial development.

As well as Caiazza’s session, there will be a talk from former senior SSU project manager at Syneos Health and Paraexel, Rachel Yicen, who will touch upon the perks of strategic initial planning, as well as following best practices and identifying bottlenecks in trial designs.

Meanwhile, Apellis Pharmaceuticals’ former head of patient advocacy and engagement Beverly Lui will put patients at the forefront. During her session, she will explore the importance of timing when engaging with patients in clinical trials, as well as the barriers to patient engagement and how they can be addressed.

This theme will continue into a panel discussion, which will explore why women are more commonly excluded from Phase I trials and how the industry can reduce this long-standing gender disparity.

Homing in on all things Europe
The second day of the conference will more heavily centre around the role of Europe in the global clinical trials landscape. In line with this theme, Shionogi Europe’s former associate director of European regulatory affairs Sol Yates will give a talk on EU regulatory frameworks and key requirements associated with trial authorisation in the EU.

Novartis’ study and site operations country manager for Switzerland Ina Meyer will also offer some insights into the strengths of the region’s positioning in the clinical trials landscape. In this talk, she will discuss Switzerland’s emerging role as a popular partner for clinical research outside the EU and CTIS regulation.

The conference is hosted by Arena International Events Group, a B2B events company owned by GlobalData, the parent company of Clinical Trials Arena. A detailed agenda for the 2025 Outsourcing in Clinical Trials DACH conference can be found here.