Plenary Keynote Sessions
Tuesday, January 20, 4:30 - 5:40 PM
4:40-4:50 PM Building an AI-Native Platform for Accelerated Biologics Discovery at Sanofi
Yves Fomekong Nanfack, PhD, Executive Director & Head, End-to-End AI Foundations, Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi
Drug discovery faces major hurdles due to complex target biology, sequence diversity, and the high iterative cost of protein engineering. AI/ML can accelerate discovery and unlock new biology, but leveraging it effectively requires an agile, flexible strategy. I will present Sanofi’s approach to building an AI-native platform that drives innovative biologics discovery.
4:50 – 5:00 PM Agentic AI for Biologics: Scalable Infrastructure for GxP-Compliant, Insight-Driven Testing
Lieza Danan, PhD, Founder & CEO, LiVeritas
As biotherapeutics become more complex, automation of traditional testing labs falls short of delivering the insights needed for regulatory success. This talk introduces a GxP-native, full-stack AI platform designed to orchestrate and optimize mass spectrometry-based testing workflows across CMC, bioanalysis, and regulatory reporting. Dr. Lieza Danan shares how LiVeritas applies agentic AI to automate data interpretation, reduce error-prone manual steps, and generate submission-ready outputs—already proven in over 10 IND/BLA filings. Rooted in regenerative system design, this infrastructure enables scalable, adaptive, and compliant operations, empowering biopharma teams to accelerate product development with confidence, clarity, and scientific precision.
5:00 – 5:10 PM Technological Trends Shaping the Landscape of Biopharmaceuticals
Aline de Almeida Oliveira, PhD, Competitive Intelligence Advisor (AICOM), Board of Directors, Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, Brazil
Currently, the biopharmaceutical industry is undergoing rapid technological advancements that are revolutionizing the development and production of biopharmaceuticals. Consequently, new therapeutic categories are gaining prominence, such as antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, advanced therapies, among others. This rapid evolution requires constant vigilance to identify breakthroughs and guide strategic decision-making in this dynamic field. The aim of this strategic foresight analysis is to discuss technological trends for the future of biopharmaceuticals.
5:10 – 5:40 PM Plenary Fireside Chat: Trends and Innovation Driving the Future of Biotherapeutics
Moderator: John K. Kawooya, PhD, Private Consultant, Robotics-Plate-Based-Ultra-HT Biologics Purification
Kicking off with three focused 10-minute presentations, the Fireside Chat transitions into an engaging 30-minute fireside discussion. Panelists will delve into cutting-edge topics including the role of AI/ML in biologics discovery, advancements in next-generation analytics and tools, entrepreneurial trends and investment landscapes, and emerging therapeutic modalities. In tribute to Dr. King’s legacy, this session will also highlight the importance of fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the biotech innovation ecosystem.
Panelists:
Yves Fomekong Nanfack, PhD, Executive Director & Head, End-to-End AI Foundations, Large Molecules Research Platform, Sanofi
Lieza Danan, PhD, Founder & CEO, LiVeritas
Aline de Almeida Oliveira, PhD, Competitive Intelligence Advisor (AICOM), Board of Directors, Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, Brazil
Wednesday, January 21, 1:10 – 1:45 PM
Plenary Fireside Chat: The PepTalk Legacy: 25 Years of Science, and the Next Era of Protein Research
Moderator: Ian Hunt, Global Head of Scientific Engagement Strategy, Novartis Pharma AG
Join us for a special plenary panel as we celebrate 25 years of PepTalk - a gathering place for the global protein science community. Hear from past and present leaders who have shaped the field and the event, reflect on the breakthroughs that defined PepTalk’s legacy, and explore what the future holds for protein engineering, expression, and production. This milestone moment honors our shared journey and looks ahead to the discoveries yet to come.
Panelists:
Henry C. Chiou, PhD, Senior Director General Manager, Biosciences, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Recently Retired)
Nicola Burgess-Brown, PhD, Professorial Research Fellow, UCL, London; COO, Protein Sciences, Structural Genomics Consortium
Dominic Esposito, PhD, Director, Protein Sciences, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research
Deborah Moore-Lai, PhD, Vice President, Protein Sciences, ProFound Therapeutics
David W. Wood, PhD, Professor, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University
Thursday, January 22, 8:25 – 9:30 AM
8:35 – 9:00 AM Presentation Title To Be Announced
Stephanie Truhlar, PhD, Vice President, Biotechnology Discovery Research, Eli Lilly & Company
9:00 – 9:30 AM Plenary Fireside Chat