Canada’s first biopharma meeting dedicated to cross-functional collaboration between Commercial (Sales & Marketing), Market Access, Governmental Affairs, Medical Affairs, Evidence Generation and Patient Services to drive healthcare innovation, and improve patient outcomes.
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Toronto Congress Centre 650 Dixon Rd
Including Speakers from
20+ Industry Leaders
Including Speakers from 20+ Industry Leaders
AGENDA
Registration & Breakfast
8:00-8:30AM
Opening Remarks
8:30-8:45AM
Jefferson Tea
CEO & BLF Organizer
Agilis Health
8:45-9:25AM
Building Companies in Canada’s Pharmaceutical Sector
Explore strategies for successfully launching and scaling pharmaceutical companies in Canada, from an international career and a Canadian start-up.
John McKendry President & CEO
Kye Pharmaceuticals
9:25-9:50AM
Transforming Healthcare: Patient Support Programs in Canada – Looking into the Future
Discuss innovative strategies and future trends in patient support programs to enhance healthcare delivery and patient outcomes in Canada.
Nicole Serena
Managing Director PSP Solutions
9:50-10:30AM
Collaborative Care: Revolutionizing Patient Support Programs Across Functions
Discuss how cross-functional collaboration can enhance patient support programs, improve patient outcomes, and drive innovation in healthcare delivery.
Susan Guchardi
Director, Global PSPs Advanz
Chris Reaume
Medical Director
Eisai
John Snowden
Executive Director Value, Access & Policy
Amgen
Bryan Asher
VP Strategic Pharma Partnerships & GM
Speciality Health Network
Panelists:
Moderator:
11:00-11-25AM
Unlocking the Power of Data: Insights and Real-World Evidence in Action
Demonstrate how leveraging data insights and real-world evidence can drive informed decision-making, enhance patient outcomes, and foster innovation in healthcare.
Jessica Lovett
VP Commercial
Strategy & Innovation
Cencora Innomar Strategies
Alison Oliver
Sr Director
Customer Experience & RWE
Cencora Innomar Strategies
11:25-12:05PM
From Data to Decisions: Leveraging Data, Insights & Real-World Evidence across Functions
Explore how integrating data, insights and real-world evidence across various functions can enhance decision-making, improve patient outcomes, and drive innovation in healthcare.
Jodi Garner
Director, Health Data Strategy
Roche Canada
Archana Malik
Business Unit Head - Specialty
Ferring
Roman Zilbershtein
HTA & Market Access Specialist
Consultant
Calum Neish
Senior Principal
IQVIA Canada
Panelists:
Moderator:
1:00-1:30PM
Sipping Success: A Coffee Chat with a Pharma Trailblazer
Inspire and educate attendees by sharing a trailblazer's journey, insights, and strategies for achieving success in the pharmaceutical industry.
Michael Cloutier
Co-Chairman
BridgeBright Search & Advisory
Jennifer Meldrum
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Peak Pharma Solutions
Speaker:
Moderator:
1:30-1:55PM
AI That Works in the Field Today: A Blueprint for Commercial Pharma
AI is no longer theoretical. Pharma teams are already using it to drive measurable commercial impact. This session outlines a clear and repeatable blueprint based on real-world examples. Learn how leading organizations are identifying the right problems to solve, building cross-functional alignment, and delivering AI that is adopted, trusted, and effective—without adding complexity or starting over.
Speaker:
Philip Poulidis
CEO & Co-Founder
ODAIA
1:55-2:30PM
Human-AI Collaboration for Cross-Functional Excellence and Patient Outcomes
Explore how integrating human expertise with AI technology can enhance cross-functional excellence, and therefore driving impact on patients outcomes.
Mark Findlay
Business Unit Head - Respiratory
GSK
Shurjeel Choudhri
Sr Vice President
Medical & Scientific Affairs
Bayer
Laurene Redding
Head of Market Access & Government Relations
Gilead
Aaron Leibtag
CEO & Co-Founder
Pentavere
Panelists:
Moderator:
3:00-3:35PM
Building Tomorrow’s Successful Brands:
Next-Gen Capabilities for Cross-Functional Teams
Explore how next-generation capabilities can enhance collaboration, drive innovation, and improve performance across cross-functional teams.
Leandra Wells
Country General Manager
Galderma
3:35-4:15PM
Knowledge Evolution: Bridging Gaps in Education for HCPs, Patients & Payers
Discuss strategies for enhancing education and communication among healthcare providers, patients, and payers to improve healthcare outcomes and collaboration.
Hitesh Patel
Head Patient Support Services
Sanofi
Stephen Colgan
Global Director Medical Affairs
Amgen
Heather McDonald
Vice President Market Access
AstraZeneca
Sangeeta Shah
Director Operational Excellence
Patient Services
Takeda
Panelists:
Moderator:
4:15-4:55PM
Leadership Insights: Navigating Innovation Culture and Risk
Explore strategies for balancing innovation and risk, fostering a culture that supports creative thinking while managing potential challenges effectively.
Bettina Hamelin
President
Innovative Medicines Canada
Andrea Schwarz
Commercial Lead
BeiGene
Carol Stiff
General Manager
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals
Bob McLay
VP and General Manager
Sobi
Panelists:
Moderator:
Closing Remarks
4:55-5:00PM
Jefferson Tea
CEO & BLF Organizer
Agilis Health
5:00-6:30PM
BLF 2025 Networking Event
Open to all BLF 2025 attendees & sponsors
THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 SPONSORS
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