Conference Day One - Wednesday October 8, 2025

7:55 am Check In, Coffee & Light Breakfast

8:45 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

DEVELOPING STRATEGIES TO LEVERAGE THE INNOVATIONS OF 2025 FOR EHS IN PHARMA & BIOPHARMA

9:00 am Panel Discussion: Exploring the Potential of Implementing AI in EHS Programs for Biopharma for Smarter Decision-Making

Synopsis

  • Explore the emerging trends in use of AI across EHS teams
  • Identify the key areas within EHS where potential for AI would be most impactful (incident reporting, compliance monitoring, training effectiveness, hazard prediction)
  • Overcoming resistance to AI adoption such as managing concerns around trust, transparency and security

9:00 am Roundtable Discussion: Leveraging Predictive AI in EHS to Enable Proactive Safety Culture & Prevent Incidents

Synopsis

  • How predictive AI identifies patterns and trends from historical safety data (incident reports, near misses, environmental conditions)
  • Outlining the validation and implementation of AI such as collecting the right data and scaling these solutions

10:00 am Speed Networking

Synopsis

A prime chance to make the most of in-person networking with EHS experts in pharma and biopharma. This session is designed to allow attendees to create new connections and strengthen existing ones.

10:40 am Morning Break & Refreshments

DEMONSTRATING THE VALUE & ROI OF EHS IN PHARMA & BIOTECH TO ENSURE PRIORITIZATION OF SAFETY

11:10 am Case Study: Embedding EHS as a Strategic Driver in Change Management to Enhance Safety, Compliance & Business Continuity

Synopsis

  • Explore practical approaches to embed EHS considerations from the inception of change initiatives, minimizing operational disruption and aligning with business goals
  • Learn how to position EHS as a critical partner in organizational transformation, helping to shape smarter, safer, and more resilient change processes across complex biopharma operations

11:40 am Prioritizing EHS in Management of Change to Maximize Safety & Efficiency

  • Eric Knight Global Head of Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
  • Mychelle Fernandez CSP, CHMM, REHS, EHS Consultant
  • Ann Marie Madera Associate Director Environmental Health & Safety, Eikon Therapeutics

Synopsis

  • Developing strategies to integrate EHS into the process of change from day one to ensure smooth transitions and avoid the need for costly adjustments
  • Discussing the challenges EHS professionals face to advocate for their early involvement in MOC and provide examples from their own experience to highlight the value of proactive safety and compliance measures

12:10 pm Lunch & Networking Break

ADVANCING BIOSAFETY STRATEGIES FOR POTENT COMPOUNDS & COMPLEX THERAPIES

1:10 pm Containment Systems for Potent Compounds to Ensure Safety, Compliance, & Efficiency in Handling Novel Hazardous Materials

  • Reinaldo Marin Associate Director - Environment, Health & Safety, Pacira Pharmaceuticals Inc

Synopsis

  • Explore how strategic containment solutions safeguard workers, reduce environmental risk, and support operational efficiency in handling highly potent and novel hazardous materials
  • Understand the key challenges of managing exposure to uncharacterized or ultra-potent compounds in fast-evolving research and manufacturing settings
  • Learn how biopharma organizations are adapting through peer benchmarking, internal risk banding strategies, and guidance from industry-leading containment experts

1:40 pm Managing Safety in ADC Production: EHS Best Practices for Handling Highly Potent & Complex Therapies to Reduce Risk

  • Eric Wood Associate Director - Environment, Health & Safety Manager, Exelixis

Synopsis

  • Discussing the hazards, facility needs, and regulatory concerns related to the production of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs)
  • Navigating the challenges in potency shifts throughout synthesis, conjugation, and handling; limited regulatory precedent; requires customized controls
  • How companies can build internal banding strategies to compliance confidence, reduced cross-contamination risk, and built a flexible internal containment strategy

2:10 pm Panel Discussion: How to Assess Introductions of New Biohazardous Materials in Processes

Synopsis

  • Discussing the challenges in classifying introductions of hazardous materials using traditional hazard models
  • Investigating how to best handle situations where toxicological data is incomplete or absent
  • Developing strategies for EHS teams to approach the initial risk assessment of a new material in their processes

2:40 pm Afternoon Break & Refreshments

NAVIGATING THE BARRIERS OF DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE EHS TRAINING TO ENSURE SAFETY & EFFICIENCY

3:10 pm Unlocking the Potential of AI in EHS Training to Improve Retention & Prepare for High-Risk Situations

Synopsis

  • Investigating how AI is transforming EHS training by making it more personalized, engaging, and effective
  • Learn from real-world examples of AI-enabled safety training that improves engagement, knowledge retention, and incident prevention
  • Understand key steps to implementation, including data needs, organizational buy-in, and overcoming common adoption barriers

3:40 pm Roundtable Discussion: Overcoming Training Rollout Challenges in Biopharma EHS Programs

Synopsis

  • Addressing the biggest logistical and operational challenges in rolling out EHS training across diverse teams
  • Discussing examples where training has interfered with production timelines or potentially helped avoid larger disruptions
  • Sharing the most effective ways to keep training relevant and engaging for scientific and technical staff

4:10 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks