Recruitment & Engagement

2026 ARCHIVES

Enrollment Planning and Patient Recruitment

Diversity and Retention through Communities and Technology

Patient recruitment is one of the biggest bottlenecks in clinical research. Failure to meet enrollment targets creates costly delays, and more importantly, impacts the time that it takes to bring new medicines into the hands of patients that need them. SCOPE’s 17th Annual Recruitment & Engagement stream explores innovative strategies to accelerate enrollment in global trials, harness the power of AI/ML and data analytics to optimize recruitment, and build meaningful partnerships with advocacy and community organizations to enhance outreach, diversity, and retention. With a strong focus on patient centricity, the program also addresses how to thoughtfully integrate technology to streamline processes and improve trial experiences without increasing the burden on participants and sites.

Part 1: Enrollment Planning and Patient Recruitment

Part 2: Diversity and Retention through Communities and Technology

Monday, February 2

7:00 amGolf Check-In & Breakfast Buffet*

8:00 am– 3:30 pm MaxisAI: INSPIRE Agentic AI Summit

12:00 pm– 4:00 pm IQVIA Technologies Innovation Day

1:00 pm– 3:30 pm Using Data and AI to Accelerate Trials: WCG User Group and Product Roadmap Discussion

1:00 pm– 3:30 pm Enhancing the Efficiency of Pipeline Delivery: Disruptive Scenarios and Strategic Responses

2:00 pm– 3:30 pm OPEN WORKSHOP: Modernizing Informed Consent: AI, Automation, and Ethics in Global Clinical Trials

For more details on Pre-Conference Events, please visit: Workshops/User Groups

9:00 amRegistration Open

9:00 amSCOPE's 5th Annual Masters of Clinical Research Golf Tournament* SOLD OUT (Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available)

Network on the greens at SCOPE's 5th Annual Golf Tournament! Visit the SCOPE Summit website for player and sponsorship opportunities.

1:00 pmGolf Lunch Buffet (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)*

1:00 pm– 3:45 pm SCOPE'S Pickleball Networking Session: Paddles & Partnerships

Kick off the SCOPE 2026 conference with food, fun, and pickleball! Whether you're a pickleball pro or have never picked up a paddle, this event is perfect for everyone. Limited spots available. Register Here

2:00 pmClose of the Masters of Clinical Research Golf Tournament

*Limited spots available. Separate registration and fee apply.

3:45 pmGrab Your Seat: Early-Bird Seat Golden Ticket Raffle & Prize Giveaway! *

*Must be present to win.

3:50 pm

Organizer's Welcome Remarks & 5th Annual Masters of Clinical Research Golf Tournament Awards and Jacket Signing

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute

3:58 pm Chairperson's Introduction

Rob Goodwin, COO, Parexel

4:00 pm FIRESIDE CHAT:

Hope: The Double-Edged Sword of Patient Experience

Lindsay Guentzel, Multimedia Journalist & Patient Advocate

Jane Myles, Vice President, Programs and Initiatives, Decentralized Trials & Research Alliance (DTRA); Vice Chair, The Myositis Association (TMA) Board of Directors

Brad Watts, CAR T Recipient and Patient Advocate, Emily Whitehead Foundation

In this fireside chat, two CAR T trial participants and a patient advocate/clinical research professional unpack the journey: find the trial, fight the insurer, cross state lines, then live the trial reality, along with your family. Careful research, long consent forms, and great care teams can still miss key things that matter. For clinical researchers, we share a clear look at what we ask—and what patients still can’t see.

4:25 pm

Tips for Getting the Most out of SCOPE

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Visit our FAQ page! We hope this page answers some of your questions related to SCOPE. It consolidates a lot of info for speakers, attendees, and vendors into one page. We look forward to seeing you at SCOPE on February 2-5, 2026, at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida! https://www.scopesummit.com/faq-how-to-succeed-at-scope

4:33 pm Chairperson’s Introduction: Developing Site Relationships beyond Study-Level Engagement

Elisa Cascade, Chief Growth Officer, Head of Americas, TrialScreen

4:35 pm

SCOPE's 3rd Annual Site Innovation Awards

Wouter Daniels, Clinical Trial Patient & Site Engagement Lead, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG

Angela DeLuca, Associate Vice President, Global Study Operations, Amgen

Irfan Khan, CEO, Circuit Clinical

Mara Kramer, Feasibility Transversal Projects Lead, Global Clinical Early Operational Strategy, Sanofi

Sean Soth, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Global Business Partnerships, SCRS

Amanda Wright, Co-Founder & Senior Vice President, Healthcare Alliance, Javara

We are excited to announce our 3rd Annual Site Innovation Award, recognizing sites and partnerships pioneering new approaches to improve clinical trials. This is an opportunity to highlight your successes and be recognized by your peers for your dedication to advance clinical research. By sharing your actionable solutions, you will inform the broader Clinical Operations Community at SCOPE. Our definition of innovation is inclusive of low-tech or high-tech solutions, or any site operations-related process improvements that effectively reduce site burden and improve a site’s ability to advance clinical research while providing patient-centered care. The Site Innovation Awards program is brought to you by Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI)’s SCOPE and is accepting submissions at: https://www.scopesummit.com/site-innovation-award

5:05 pm SCOPE's 10th Annual Participant Engagement Awards Introduction: Industry Mandate and Collaboration for Expanding Access to Clinical Trials

Mike Martin, Drug Development Practice Area Lead, R&D Consulting, ZS Associates

5:10 pm KEYNOTE INTERACTIVE PANEL:

SCOPE's 10th Annual Participant Engagement Awards

PANEL MODERATORS:

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Kelly McKee, Vice President, Strategy & Transformation, Science 37; Co-Creator of the SCOPE Participant Engagement Award

David Sall, President & CEO, Marketing, Patient Enrollment Advisors LLC; Co-Creator of the SCOPE Participant Engagement Award

Now in its 10th year, the Participant Engagement Award (PEA) recognizes innovation and change in how the industry communicates with participants in the fields of recruitment and retention in clinical trials. PEA embodies the values and personal accomplishments of Jerry Matczak, who sadly passed away soon after receiving the inaugural 2017 award. We dedicate this award to Jerry in the hopes that it will serve as a reminder of his ideals and accomplishments. SCOPE’s 2026 Participant Engagement Award program is brought to you by Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI)’s SCOPE and is accepting submissions at: https://www.scopesummit.com/participant-engagement-award

PANELISTS:

Beth Brooks, Head of Patient Insights & Behavioral Sciences, Patient Informed Development & Health Value Translation, Sanofi

Mark Evans, Managing Director, Patient Recruitment Expert

Jameka Hill, Senior Director, Clinical Trial Health Equity, Moderna, Inc.

Neha Shah Londono, Director, Clinical Trial Diversity and Community Engagement Lead, Pfizer Inc.

Samantha Rogers, Director, Patient Engagement & Patient-Centered Innovation, Raven (RA Ventures)

Brad Watts, CAR T Recipient and Patient Advocate, Emily Whitehead Foundation

5:40 pmSCOPE's Winter Games Opening Reception (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

Break out your coolest Winter Games—inspired look—no snow required! Think country flag t-shirts, Olympic colors, or your favorite team gear. While we may be in sunny Florida, let’s ignite the spirit of unity, energy, and excitement—as we toast to teamwork and triumph!

7:00 pmClose of Day

Tuesday, February 3

6:00 amSunrise Yoga: In Gratitude for Clinical Research Participants

Join us at sunrise for a restorative yoga session celebrating the invaluable contributions of clinical research participants. Led by a trained instructor, this all-levels practice will focus on mindful movement, breath, and grounding—no experience necessary. Yoga mats and towels will be provided by the hotel; just wear comfortable clothing. During this yoga session, CISCRP asks participants to join us in showing gratitude for the individuals who have participated in clinical research. Each ticket includes a complimentary breakfast and a branded CISCRP yoga towel. Proceeds from this event help support CISCRP's mission. Yoga begins at 6:30 am.

Registration Link: https://www.ciscrp.org/sunrise-yoga

6:30 amSCOPE's 5K Rise and Shine Fun Run! (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

Lace up and join SCOPE’s Coordinators for the Fun Run on Tuesday, February 3! Sprint, jog, walk, or talk-your-way-through—ALL abilities are welcome. This informal event is all about getting moving together. New meet-up location for 2026! Meet outside at the back of the Gatlin Terrace by the paved path. We will do three loops around the property, do as few or as many as you have time for, but we will start promptly at 6:30 am! Meet us in the Rosen Hotel’s Gatlin Terrace at 6:30 am sharp!

7:30 amRegistration Open

7:30 amMorning Coffee (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

Fuel your morning with made-to-order coffee and sweet bites, courtesy of our sponsors.

8:25 amGrab Your Seat—Early Bird Seat Raffle & Prize Giveaway!* (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)

Don’t miss your chance to win! Arrive early, grab your seat, and take part in SCOPE’s Early Bird Seat Raffle & Prize Giveaway. Exciting prizes are up for grabs—must be present to win!

8:30 am

Welcome to SCOPE 2026—Welcome to the Clinical Trials Factory

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute

8:38 am Chairperson's Plenary Keynote Introduction: Patient Engagement as a Guiding Principle in Research

Lisa Moneymaker, Chief Strategy Officer, Medidata

8:40 am

KEYNOTE FIRESIDE CHAT: Aligning Purpose, Innovation, and Operational Excellence in Clinical Development

Eliav Barr, Head, Global Clinical Development and CMO, Global Clinical Development, Merck & Co.

Pharma’s mission to deliver life-changing therapies depends on its ability to innovate while staying grounded in execution. This keynote will highlight how companies are aligning purpose with investment in new clinical models and technologies. The conversation will focus on where big pharma is directing innovation strategy—and how operational alignment ensures impact for patients and the healthcare system.

Interviewed By:

Ken Getz, Executive Director and Professor, Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development, Tufts University School of Medicine

9:05 am

SCOPE’s Stretch Break & Annual T-Shirt Toss

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Take a quick pause to stretch, recharge, and enjoy a little SCOPE tradition—our Annual T-Shirt Toss! Watch for the t-shirt slingshot sending giveaways into the audience as we add some fun to your day.

9:15 am KEYNOTE PANEL DISCUSSION:

From Years to Months: Is Radical Acceleration in Clinical Research Possible?

PANEL MODERATOR:

Jeremy Goldberg, Operating Partner, Healthcare, Arsenal Capital Partners

Clinical development timelines remain one of the biggest barriers between breakthrough innovation and patients in need. Incremental process tweaks won’t cut it—what’s required is a step-change in how trials are designed, executed, and financed. This keynote will push beyond theory into bold, actionable strategies for compressing timelines, rethinking operational models, and deploying capital where it can have the greatest impact. Leaders will examine how smarter investment, data integration, and operational transformation can turn years into months—and what will truly move the needle for the future of clinical research.

PANELISTS:

Sandeep Burugupalli, Head, Data Science & Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca

Shawne Moran, Head, In-Country Study Operations-Americas, EMD Serono/Merck KGaA Darmstadt, Germany

Jared Saul, MD, CMO, Commercial Healthcare and Life Sciences, Amazon Web Services

9:45 amGrand Opening Coffee & Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall —Best of Show Voting Opens

Step into SCOPE’s one-of-a-kind exhibit hall! With 300+ leading clinical trial technology and service companies, it’s the place to discover new partners and reconnect with familiar ones. Cast your vote for SCOPE’s Best of Show, recharge with coffee, snap a photo, and don’t forget your comfy shoes—you’ll have miles to explore!

Part 1: Enrollment Planning and Patient Recruitment

11:00 am Chairperson's Remarks

Robert Loll, Senior Vice President, Business Development & Strategic Planning, Praxis

11:05 am

Reimagining Clinical Trial Recruitment: AI's Potential to Power a Global Revolution

Lauren Johnson, Director, Global Patient Recruitment & Retention, Pfizer Inc.

Christopher Rodricks, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, Pfizer Inc.

In this session, we’ll explore how Pfizer is leveraging AI to revolutionize clinical trial recruitment. By using advanced analytics and machine learning, we can identify eligible participants more efficiently, improve outreach strategies, and enhance retention. Attendees will gain insights into how AI is accelerating study timelines, supporting diversity in trials, and ultimately driving faster, more inclusive development of life-saving therapies.

11:25 am

ROI-Driven Approaches to Patient Engagement

Kendal Whitlock, Head, Digital Optimization, RWE Clinical Trials, Walgreens Boots Alliance

Strong patient engagement is key to making significant advancements and driving meaningful business outcomes and operational efficiencies in clinical research. With the launch of the Walgreens Clinical Trials Patient Advisory Board in 2024, Walgreens has been enhancing our recruitment approach by incorporating board members’ lived experiences to improve recruitment, retention and accessibility. This session will focus on the intersection of patient engagement strategies, the use of community pharmacies as trustworthy hubs and ROI in clinical trials.

11:40 am

How Can We Achieve Faster Recruitment in Rare Disease

Melody Aldred, PhD, Study Director, Community Lead, SSO GCO Development, Novartis

Currently, 300 million people around the world are affected by rare diseases, which is a significant number. While each rare disease is uncommon individually, together they have a major impact. For those of us involved in clinical research, this group represents a unique and complex challenge, as traditional approaches have not adequately addressed their needs. However, this model is now changing.

11:55 am

Fast-Tracking Recruitment and Data-Driven Engagement: A Sponsor-Aligned, Patient-First Strategy for Smarter, Faster, Fairer Trials

Stephanie Galarza, Associate Director, Patient Recruitment Strategy, IQVIA

Recruitment is a persistent challenge in clinical research, and expanding access to sites and patients is key. In this session, IQVIA shares how a sponsor-aligned, patient-first model—blending data science, digital innovation, and site enablement—is redefining recruitment to accelerate enrolment and improve trial outcomes. This approach ensures that, once enrolled, participants receive tailored content to enhance their experience, driving stronger retention and more meaningful results.

12:20 pm PANEL DISCUSSION:

Beyond The Screen Fail // Why is Single Sponsor Trial Matching Failing Patients?

PANEL MODERATOR:

Jeff Smith, Co-Founder & Curator, Innovation Network & Whale Tank, Innovation Network

The goal of this session is to Activate the Call to Action for enabling a Proposed Proof Concept: a sponsor agnostic human + digital trial navigator and meaningful data sharing at scale. We will explore trust and reciprocity through proactive compliant Data Sharing by Design, evidence-driven informed stakeholder decision-making and equity/techquity in access, secure stakeholder understanding and commitments (why now…what does the data suggest, how digital and AI can accelerate equity in access, and how can we persuade all stakeholders to agree on the need for a cultural, process and operational shift that truly impacts patients.

PANELISTS:

Jen Miller, Director, Program for Biomedical Ethics; Professor, Yale School of Medicine; Founder, Bioethics International; CEO, Good Pharma Scorecard

Madison Reider, Senior Manager, R&D Patient Partnerships, CSL Behring

Jean Stimola-Sposaro, Vice President, Memberships & Partnerships, DTRA

12:45 pm

Bridging the Gap: Unifying Clinical Trial Recruitment

Seth Halvorson, Senior Vice President of Operations, Operations—Site Solutions, WCG

Study-wide recruitment often faces challenges because the process is highly variable and typically managed at the local level, with sites frequently chosen based on pattern and habit rather than strategy. This inconsistent approach often produces inconsistent outcomes. Aligning site selection and enrollment strategies with study goals is the key to achieving reliable results.

1:10 pmSponsored Networking Luncheon

Recharge, refuel, and connect over lunch—compliments of SCOPE sponsors! Enjoy a well-deserved break.

2:10 pmNetworking Coffee & Dessert Break in the Exhibit Hall

Keep the conversations going in the Exhibit Hall with coffee and dessert, courtesy of SCOPE sponsors. Network with colleagues, explore new products and services, and don’t forget—Best of Show Award voting is still open, so be sure to cast your vote!

2:15 pmSpecial Book Launch & Signing

Barnett's Good Clinical Practice: A Question & Answer Guide 2026/2027
Editor-In-Chief: Donna Dorozinsky, RN, MSN, CCRC
Location: Booth #129 (Free copies for the first 30 visitors!)

3:00 pm Chairperson's Remarks

Jennifer Hillner, Vice President, Strategic Accounts, Care Access

3:05 pm

Where Trust Leads, Access Follows: A Model for Community-Centered Obesity Research in Underserved Populations

Amanda Beasley, PhD, Director, Representation in Clinical Research (RISE), Amgen

Mimi Fenton, CEO, Cedar Health Research

In the diverse Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region, a Sponsor and Clinical Research Site collaborated with Community Partners to address obesity through inclusive research. Grounded in trust, cultural alignment, and shared accountability, the collaboration brings clinical research access directly into underserved communities. By leveraging existing community relationships and aligning on goals, the site has successfully enrolled 100% of participants from underrepresented populations. This panel explores how intentional engagement, mutual respect, and strategic partnering can transform clinical study delivery—offering a scalable model for bringing opportunities to participate in clinical trials to people and places that haven't had them previously.

3:30 pm

We Connect with Communities as Partners: Digital and On-the-Ground Strategies for Patient Support and Trial Diversity

Amanda Decoker, Senior Director, Head of Patient Recruitment and Retention, Takeda

LaShell Robinson, MS, Executive Director, Head of Global Feasibility and Trial Equity, Takeda

Explore how Takeda leverages digital platforms and on-the-ground efforts to enhance our outreach to under-represented communities and how this mechanism can help measure engagement and potential impact. The WeConnectPatients.com portal has been instrumental in connecting patients with clinical trial educational resources and research opportunities. Delve into the various ways we are utilizing this tool to foster stronger community ties, improve patient recruitment, and promote diversity in clinical trials. We will also discuss our combined approach of digital engagement and direct community involvement, ensuring we reach communities effectively.

3:55 pm

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Innovation in Action: Essential Learnings from a High-Performing Decentralized Phase 3 Trial

PANEL MODERATOR:

Neil Weisman, President of Clinical Trial Experience, Spectrum Science

A successful sponsor-vendor collaboration requires curiosity, problem-solving, and agility. Join us to learn how Praxis Precision Medicines and Spectrum Clinical partnered to support their first-ever, fully decentralized Phase 3 Essential Tremor study through robust, responsive, and patient-first solutions. With over 700 participants enrolled, this panel discussion will showcase the lessons learned, strategy, and extraordinary accomplishments that set a new benchmark for clinical excellence.

PANELISTS:

Paul Ivsin, Executive Vice President, Clinical Trial Strategy, Spectrum Science

Sara Root, Group Senior Vice President, Client Services, Client Services, Spectrum Science

Taylor Crush, Sr. Director, Patient Recruitment & Engagement, Praxis Precision Medicines

Megan Sniecinski, Chief Operating Officer, Praxis Precision Medicines

4:20 pm

The New Front Door to Research: Community Engagement that Enables Radically Improved Access to Trials

Ralph Passarella, Co-Founder, Care Access

Mike Franklin, Vice President of Community Based Research, Eli Lilly and Company

This joint presentation showcases a working model for clinical trial access that shifts screening upstream, out of individual protocols and into the community, creating meaningful opportunities for patients, accelerating enrollment, and reducing site burden.

Key points

Decoupling screening from individual protocols and launching a community health screening program
Engaging with the community to enable the most qualified participants to have access to studies (often more qualified than participants from a site’s own database)
Removing screening burden from sites on high screen fail programs
Insight gained from screening enables understanding of potential enrollment capabilities and study design
Making a meaningful impact on the communities beyond the clinical trial

Together, these elements create a new “front door” to research.

4:45 pm

Patient Community Engagement: A New Model

Beth Brooks, Head of Patient Insights & Behavioral Sciences, Patient Informed Development & Health Value Translation, Sanofi

Increasing use of real-time engagement platforms, telemedicine, and remote monitoring tools continue to raise expectations: patients want input into what we research and how we design our studies. Precision medicine requires a deeper understanding of patient subpopulations and lived experiences, amplifying the role of patients as partners. Come see how Sanofi is moving beyond patient centricity to integrated patient and community engagement in response.

5:10 pm

Sprinting the Last Mile: Using Technology to Turn Patient Interest into Enrollment

Gaynor Anders, Chief Delivery Officer, Trialbee

Michele Falk, Lead, Patient Engagement & Recruitment, Bristol Myers Squibb Co.

Terttu Haring, Global Head, Johnson & Johnson innovative Medicine

Jane Twitchen, Head Clinical Trial Accelerator & Senior Director, Global Clinical Operations, Biogen

Digital tools have expanded how trials engage potential participants, but the last mile—connecting interested patients to the right sites—remains a common point of failure. In this session, expert sponsor panelists will share practical perspectives on how technology can strengthen this critical handoff. Drawing on real-world experience, the discussion will explore how a unified, behind-the-scenes infrastructure can reduce missed connections, support consistent execution across studies and countries, and improve enrollment conversion—without changing the patient-facing experience or becoming a vendor pitch.

Learning Objectives

Identify where patient-to-site handoffs break down in the last mile
Understand the value of a single backend infrastructure across trials and countries
See how invisible technology can prevent missed connections and improve conversion

5:35 pmWelcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

Wrap up the day with colleagues, friends old and new at SCOPE’s Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall. Enjoy drinks, network with exhibitors, and enter to win fabulous raffle prizes (must be present to win). Keep the evening going with dinner at Rosen Shingle Creek’s restaurants—no Orlando traffic required!

7:00 pmClose of Day

7:00 pmSCOPE Out the Restaurants and Shops at Pointe Orlando, via Our Courtesy Shuttle* (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

Enjoy an evening exploring the restaurants and shops at Pointe Orlando with transportation provided by our courtesy shuttle. Shuttles will run until 11:00 pm, with the last pick-up at 10:30 pm.

*Times subject to change. More details closer to the event.

Wednesday, February 4

6:00 amSunrise Yoga: In Gratitude for Clinical Research Participants

Registration Link: https://www.ciscrp.org/sunrise-yoga

7:30 amRegistration Open

8:00 am

BREAFAST PRESENTATION OPTION #1:

Reaching the Unreachable: Proven Strategies You Can Apply to Engage Underserved Populations in Global Clinical Trials

Tobias Kruse, PhD, Managing Director, Europe, SubjectWell

Underserved populations are often excluded from clinical trials, limiting engagement, scientific validity, and real-world relevance. Traditional strategies often rely on outdated assumptions and overlook patient realities. This session reveals proven, globally scalable strategies to engage these communities through real-world data (RWD), behavioral insights, and human-centered approaches—replacing guesswork with precision to accelerate inclusive trial enrollment and shorten study timelines.

8:00 am

BREAKFAST PRESENTATION OPTION #2:

From Elusive to Enrolled: A Case Study in Precision Recruitment

Matthew Graffeo, Managing Director, Healthcare & Digital, GCI Health

Nikki Buchmayer, Senior Vice President, Digital, Clinical Trial Recruitment, GCI Health

As the pace of innovation accelerates, scientific breakthroughs bring new hope to patients. Effectively including and supporting underrepresented populations is critical for the success of clinical trials designed to benefit these communities. GCI Health’s experts will share their “secret sauce” for building meaningful engagement with niche communities along with a real-world example of its methodology in action through its work with the University of Florida’s traumatic brain injury trial.

8:00 amSponsored Breakfast Presentation (Opportunity Available)

8:00 am– 9:00 am WORKING GROUP BREAKFAST: Pharma Leadership Forum: Overcoming Geopolitical Challenges in Clinical Development (Invite Only)

MODERATOR:
Demetris Zambas, Vice President & Global Head, Clinical Data Sciences, Pfizer Inc.

Global clinical development is increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical forces. Sponsors face rising risks in running global trials, requiring proactive and diversified strategies to maintain momentum and safeguard patients. A group of top clinical research leaders from biopharma companies will get together at SCOPE to exchange ideas and case studies and to explore opportunities for sponsor companies to unify their efforts. Some of the challenges to be discussed include regulatory divergence, supply chain disruptions, patients recruitment in global trials, data security & sovereignty, IP protection, and cyber threats.

8:25 amTransition to Sessions

8:30 am Chairperson's Remarks

Cal Collins, CTO, OpenClinica LLC

8:35 am

Missing Enrollment: Is a Leaky Funnel the Culprit?

Sam Veeck, General Manager of Life Sciences, Business Development, Milliman IntelliScript

Trials are bleeding time and budget—and costing organizations the credibility that business growth depends on. The root of the problem? Enrollment. Slow, fragmented processes cause inaccuracy, waste, and delays that lead to patient dropout. Milliman Contxt can leak-proof your enrollment funnel with instant, interpreted health data to streamline workflows while also reducing risk. Easily tap into our vast claims and prescription data network to pre-qualify and retain patients, slash screen failures, and see repeatable success that builds credibility with key stakeholders.

9:00 am PANEL DISCUSSION:

Access = Acceleration: Why Broadening Recruitment Is the Future of Clinical Research

PANEL MODERATOR:

Kemi Williams, Board Member, SGM Alliance; Global Clinical Research & Health Equity Leader

Over the past decade, many sponsors have removed explicit HIV exclusions from policy, yet people living with HIV continue to be underrepresented in clinical trials. This session explores why the translation from inclusion policy to protocol reality often fails—highlighting the role of outdated eligibility criteria, drug–drug interaction concerns, and executional blind spots. Beginning with the lived experience of a person with HIV, panelists will examine how these challenges affect not only HIV research but also oncology, cardiovascular, and metabolic trials, and will share actionable approaches to enable safe, inclusive enrollment while strengthening data quality and accelerating development timelines.

PANELISTS:

Garo Kiledjian, Founder & CEO, SGM Alliance

Kamaria Laffrey, Co-Executive Director, The Sero Project

Mishali Mathur, Senior Manager, Patient Inclusion, AbbVie

9:25 am PANEL DISCUSSION:

Diversity in Clinical Trials—What’s Working, What’s Next

PANEL MODERATOR:

Bianca Green, Clinical Program Diversity Head, UCB

Recruiting diverse populations into clinical trials is a shared goal—but what’s actually moving the needle? This panel brings together industry leaders who are implementing scalable, measurable strategies to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hear what’s working, what’s still a challenge, and what’s coming next. Through real-world examples and candid discussion, walk away with actionable insights that can be applied to your own recruitment and engagement efforts.

PANELISTS:

Angel Akinbinu, Director, Trial Equity & Representation, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

Natanya Candelario, Senior Director, Inclusive Research, Bristol Myers Squibb

Neha Shah Londono, Director, Clinical Trial Diversity and Community Engagement Lead, Pfizer Inc.

Laurie Myers, Senior Director, Health Literacy Strategy & Innovation, Merck & Co., Inc.

10:15 amCoffee Break in the Exhibit Hall (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

Fuel up and connect at SCOPE’s Coffee Break in the Exhibit Hall! Visit booths you haven’t seen, network with colleagues and exhibitors, and cast your final vote for the Best of Show Award—make your vote count!

11:10 am Chairperson's Remarks

Brett Kleger, CEO, Inspire

11:15 am

Using AI Agents and Connected EHR/EMR Data to Better Understand Design and Recruitment Challenges

Justin North, Vice President of Product Management, TriNetX, LLC

Abhishek Chatterjee, Head of Product Suite, Senior Director, Novo Nordisk

Clinical development often suffers from fragmented data across systems, slowing progress and limiting insights. In this session, Justin North (TriNetX) and Abhishek Chatterjee (Novo Nordisk) share how connected data ecosystems break down silos, enabling real-time insights and streamlined operations. Learn practical strategies and outcomes that accelerate trials and improve decision-making for clinical operations teams. Additionally, discover how leveraging EHR/EMR data can inform effective study design and optimize protocol development for better trial outcomes.

11:40 am

Health Literacy as a Catalyst for Patient-Centric Clinical Trials: Enhancing Enrollment, Retention, and Participant Diversity

Laurie Myers, Senior Director, Health Literacy Strategy & Innovation, Merck & Co., Inc.

Health literacy is an underappreciated factor in clinical trial success. This presentation explores how integrating health literacy principles into trial design and communication strategies can improve the experience of participants, foster diversity, and enhance enrollment and retention. Attendees will gain actionable insights to gain sponsorship and embed health literacy across all aspects of a clinical trial, ultimately driving more efficient and equitable trial outcomes.

12:05 pm PANEL DISCUSSION:

Beyond Recruitment: Optimizing Patient Experiences to Drive Enrollment & Retention

PANEL MODERATOR:

Mackenzie McKinney, Executive Director, Site Solutions & Patient Engagement, Jumo Health

Moving patients from identification to enrollment requires more than outreach—it demands a purposeful patient experience. This session will demonstrate how optimizing the patient experience—through behavioral science, health literacy, and patient insights—transforms recruitment into a system designed around the realities of patient and caregiver decision-making. By addressing critical points of friction and aligning education with what patients really need to understand, sponsors can build actionable, scalable experience infrastructure that accelerates enrollment and sustains engagement throughout the trial journey. The outcome: better comprehension, deeper trust, stronger enrollment, and fewer dropouts.

PANELISTS:

Eda Baykal-Caglar, Director of Patient Engagement, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

Tricia Buchheit, Director, Patient Recruitment, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals

Michele Falk, CCRP, Associate Director, Global Patient Outreach Recruitment Lead, Bristol Myers Squibb

Len Rosenberg, PhD, RPh, Head, Clinical Operations, Beat AML/Blood Cancer United

12:30 pm

Patient and Physician-Driven Recruitment for Rare Disease and Targeted Therapies

Dennis Akkaya, Chief Commercial Officer, myTomorrows

Danny den Hamer, Product Manager, myTomorrows

This session will highlight how stakeholder-driven models remove access barriers, allowing sites to enroll smaller patient populations more quickly and with greater confidence. It will also demonstrate how tighter patient–provider feedback loops accelerate protocol adjustments and support the re-engagement of previously consented candidates. In addition, the discussion will explore how specialist clinicians and non-trial centers can activate referral pathways that connect eligible patients to centers of excellence beyond traditional recruitment channels.

12:55 pmSponsored Networking Luncheon

Recharge, refuel, and connect over lunch—compliments of SCOPE sponsors! Enjoy a well-deserved break.

1:55 pmNetworking Coffee & Dessert Break in the Exhibit Hall (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)—Best of Show Winner to be Announced

Recharge with coffee, dessert, and networking at SCOPE’s Exhibit Hall Break! Grab a sweet treat courtesy of our sponsors, visit Game Card Sponsors to collect stickers, and connect with colleagues before the afternoon sessions. Plus, don’t miss the announcement of the Best of Show winner!

2:30 pm

SCOPE around the World: Community, Connection, Celebration

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute

2:40 pm Chairperson's Introduction:

Rethinking Trial Design

Matthew Rich, Principal, Pharma & Life Sciences Technology Leader, PwC US

2:42 pm KEYNOTE INTERACTIVE PANEL:

Clinical Is Not an Island: How Med Affairs and Access Can Transform Trial Success

PANEL MODERATOR:

Rosemary Rebuli, Global Head, Study & Site Operations, Novartis Pharma AG

Clinical operations leaders face increasing pressure to design trials that not only deliver clean data but also support downstream market success. This keynote panel explores how biopharma organizations can break down functional silos by integrating insights from Medical Affairs, Market Access, and field-facing roles like MSLs and CRAs. Panelists will discuss how early cross-functional collaboration improves protocol design, enhances site and prescriber engagement, supports feasibility, and aligns clinical development with real-world needs—ultimately creating a competitive edge. Learn how forward-thinking teams are redefining roles and relationships across the clinical-commercial continuum.

PANELISTS:

Karen Correa, PhD, Vice President, Development Operations, Boehringer Ingelheim

Raza Zaheer, Medical Head, Next Gen Immunology, North America, Sanofi

Jie Zhang, Head, Global Pipeline Market Access, CSL

3:12 pm

SCOPE Award Winners & Announcements (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute

3:23 pm Chairperson's Introduction:

AI Adoption in eClinical Technology

Nagaraja "Sri" Srivatsan, CEO, Endpoint Clinical, Inc.

3:25 pm KEYNOTE INTERACTIVE PANEL:

Change Management for AI Adoption in Pharma Clinical Development Teams

PANEL MODERATOR:

Mike Sullivan, Executive Director, Global Development Operations Business Insights & Technology, Bristol Myers Squibb

AI is rapidly entering clinical development, but the real challenge isn’t the technology—it’s managing the people, processes, and culture shifts required for adoption. This panel will share practical lessons from pharma leaders on how to align stakeholders, upskill teams, and build trust in AI-driven tools across clinical operations. Discussion will focus on real-world strategies that move beyond theory to accelerate adoption, improve decision-making, and deliver measurable impact in drug development.

PANELISTS:

Chris Sinclair, PhD, Vice President, Global Therapeutic Platforms, AbbVie, Inc.

Susie Stephens, PhD, Head of Client Facing Technology R&D, Amgen

Demetris Zambas, Vice President & Global Head, Clinical Data Sciences, Pfizer Inc.

3:55 pmSCOPE's Closing Ceremony Booth Crawl (Sponsorship Opportunities Available). Last Chance for Exhibit Viewing

As the flame of another unforgettable SCOPE conference comes to a close, join us for our final reception, our infamous "booth crawl." Just like the Closing Ceremonies of the Games, we'll come together one last time to honor the moments of triumph, teamwork, and inspiration that made this week so special. Gather with friends, old and new, enjoy great food and drink, and celebrate the spirit of unity that connects us all. SCOPE 2026 may be ending, but the memories will last long after the torch goes out.

4:55 pmClose of Day

5:00 pmSCOPE out the Restaurants and Shops at Pointe Orlando, via Our Courtesy Shuttle* (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

Enjoy an evening exploring the restaurants and shops at Pointe Orlando with transportation provided by our courtesy shuttle. Shuttles will run until 9:00 pm, with the last pick-up at 8:30 pm.

*Times subject to change. More details closer to the event.

Thursday, February 5

7:30 amRegistration Open

8:00 am

BREAKFAST PRESENTATION:

From Burden to Breakthrough: Innovative Strategies for Site and Patient Support

Shelby Stillwagon, Vice President, Decentralized Clinical Trials, ProPharma Group

This presentation explores strategies to strengthen clinical trial site capacity and improve patient engagement. It emphasizes delivering customized solutions through specialized roles that integrate with site teams, flexible resourcing, and operational support across key activities such as prescreening, recruitment, data entry, and remote study visits. Additionally, it highlights the importance of global scalability combined with local expertise, supported by an oversight structure that ensures consistency worldwide. The ultimate goal is to drive measurable improvements in site performance, operational efficiency, patient engagement, and retention, creating a more effective and patient-centric trial experience.

8:25 amTransition to Sessions

Part 2: Diversity and Retention through Communities and Technology

8:30 am Chairperson's Remarks

Kate Shaw, Founder & CEO, Innovative Trials Ltd.

8:35 am

Partnering for Progress: Strengthening Sponsor–Community Site Relationships to Support Oncology Trial Enrollment

Scott Welden, Associate Director, Oncology Portfolio Delivery, Gilead Sciences, Inc.

This discussion explores how establishing partnerships between industry sponsors and community sites can advance oncology clinical trial access and recruitment. The session will highlight strategies to overcome access barriers, build trust through local engagement, and implement patient-focused tools such as navigators and advisory boards. We'll explore how these collaborative models can result in an agile trial design, ideally leading to less protocol amendments and towards a more representative enrollment population.

9:00 am

The Patient Recruitment Reality Check—Debating 3 of the Biggest Myths in Our Industry

George Dorsett, SVP Sales, Marketing, Growth, Commercial, Clariness

When it comes to patient recruitment, separating fact from fiction isn’t always easy. Joined by experts from Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Takeda, we’ll explore the 3 biggest myths shaping today’s clinical trial recruitment industry.

Guest Speakers:

Alex Weir, Senior Director & Head of Operational Design, Clinical Program Operations, Amgen

Michele Falk, Associate Director, R&DD Global Patient Outreach Recruitment Lead, Bristol Myers Squibb Co.

Amanda Decoker, Senior Director, Head of Patient Engagement, Experience and Recruitment, Takeda

9:25 am

Building a Strategic, Evidence-Based Support System for Representative Recruitment and Enrollment

Tyler A. Allen, PhD, Program Leader, Clinical Research Representation, Duke Cancer Institute

This presentation will outline a comprehensive, evidence-based framework for empowering clinical teams to successfully recruit, engage, and enroll representative patient populations in clinical trials. The session will highlight practical strategies, structural considerations, and collaborative models for integrating representation into core trial operations, drawing on lessons learned from academic medical centers and real-world implementation within cancer research environments.

9:50 am

From Obligation to Opportunity - Reframing Investigator Engagement for Better Trial Outcomes

Emily Avent, Associate Director, Clinical Trial Experience, Langland

Graham Robinson, Business Director, Clinical Trial Experience, Langland

Engaging with investigators shouldn’t just be a checkbox exercise. Join Langland’s Graham Robinson and Emily Avent as they reveal how a strategic rethink of these moments can increase engagement, strengthen site commitment, and improve trial outcomes. They’ll present a powerful case study illustrating the impact - and the impressive return on investment - of doing things differently.

10:15 amFind Your Working Group

10:20 amInteractive Working Groups (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)

Step away from the slide decks and into the conversation.
After a full agenda of case studies, technical talks, and panels, SCOPE’s Interactive Working Groups offer a unique chance to roll up your sleeves and engage. Choose the topic that interests you—whether it aligns with your expertise or challenges you to think differently. Each group will explore a distinct theme using collaborative formats like hackathons, open innovation challenges, or problem-solving sprints. The only requirement: jump in and contribute.

IN-PERSON ONLY WORKING GROUPS:

Human-Centered Trial Navigation and Ethical Data Sharing by Design

Johanna Blom, PhD, Facilitate Project Academic Lead; Associate Professor, Behavioral Neuroscience; Chair, Ethical Committee for Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

Sean Lynch, Clinical Innovation Head, Innovative Trial Operations, Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Jen Miller, Director, Program for Biomedical Ethics; Professor, Yale School of Medicine; Founder, Bioethics International; CEO, Good Pharma Scorecard

Madison Reider, Senior Manager, R&D Patient Partnerships, CSL Behring

Jeff Smith, Co-Founder & Curator, Innovation Network & Whale Tank, Innovation Network

Jean Stimola-Sposaro, Vice President, Memberships & Partnerships, DTRA

This working group explores how we can move beyond transactional recruitment toward a sustainable, ethical, and human-centered model for clinical development program and trial planning, execution and evidence generation designed to leave no patients behind while accelerating access to fit-for-purpose medicines and care options.

Through an interactive, multi-stakeholder dialogue, this session will examine how emerging frameworks for cross-sponsor collaboration can enable more inclusive, efficient, and trustworthy clinical trials for all.

Discuss the call to actions coming out of our enrollment and feasibility sessions and how international regulatory guidance, digital advancements, and patient choice are providing an opportunity for change now.

The discussion will focus on the roles of 1) An ethical and legal data sharing model and 2) A sponsor-agnostic human Trial Navigator Framework to connect consented patients and their care providers to the most appropriate trial based on their own health data package, delivering safer, more timely, and equitable access to more sustainable research and care options.

Interactive discussion will center on:

The shift from transactional recruitment to ethical, long-term stakeholder partnerships
Current and evolving co-creation opportunities enabled through global public-private partnerships and pre-competitive consortia.
Frameworks for the systematic, ethical return of individual participant and screening data by design (optimizing the ongoing work of IMI FACILITATE, IHI READI, and proposed IHI RESPECT and maximizing the adoption of the collaborative MRCT, CTTI and TransCelerate BioPharma Inc. solutions in achieving these objectives).
The need for cultural and operational changes required to enable compliant data sharing, patient trust, and the sustainability of innovation at scale. Join this participatory session to explore what it will take to operationalize these models now.

Join this participatory session to explore what it will take to operationalize these models now.

11:00 amNetworking Coffee Break

Take a break and reconnect at SCOPE’s Networking Coffee Break! Grab a cup of coffee, meet colleagues old and new, and fuel up before the next sessions. A perfect pause to spark conversations and make connections!

11:30 am

Chairperson's Remarks

Michele Falk, CCRP, Associate Director, Global Patient Outreach Recruitment Lead, Bristol Myers Squibb

11:35 am

From Community Clinic to Clinical Trial: A Site-Readiness Framework for Engaging Historically Under-Represented Populations

Ramona Burress, Chief Development Officer, ONYX Health Collective

Clinical trials often struggle to reach and retain populations most impacted by disease, even though trusted care is already delivered through community clinics, pharmacies, safety-net hospitals, and local health organizations. This session, led by Onyx Health Collective, introduces the Community to Clinical Site-Readiness Framework; a practical approach for transforming community-based and safety-net care settings into research-ready partners. Grounded in patient-focused drug development and population health principles, the framework centers trust, safety, and real-world needs while addressing operational, regulatory, and digital readiness. Attendees will learn how this model expands access, improves diverse participation and retention, and builds sustainable, community-rooted research pipelines.

12:00 pm

Engaging and Retaining Teenagers in Clinical Trials: Co-Designing for the Teen–Caregiver Relationship

Anya Zeitlin, Lead User Researcher, Research, Little Journey

This session explores how to build trust & engagement with teenagers in clinical research, and why this depends on the teen–caregiver relationship. Drawing on co-design with teens and caregivers, we share key insights and how these informed a scalable digital solution that improves participation, experience, and retention across therapy areas. The session challenges assumptions about youth engagement, showing how patient-centred design improves diversity and delivers robust, reusable strategies.

12:13 pm

From Mistrust to Momentum: How the Lupus Help Center Is Reimagining Clinical Trial Engagement

Michele Falk, CCRP, Associate Director, Global Patient Outreach Recruitment Lead, Bristol Myers Squibb

Seth Ginsberg, Co-Founder & President, Global Healthy Living Foundation

Lupus patients face some of the toughest barriers to trial participation: systemic mistrust, confusing eligibility, and lack of culturally competent outreach. In this session, we’ll share how BMS and the Global Healthy Living Foundation (GHLF) co-created the Lupus Help Center, a digital-first platform that humanizes clinical research and simplifies access. Real data, real stories, and real strategies to engage and activate the most disengaged patients will be the heart of this conversation.

12:50 pmSCOPE Summit 2026 Adjourns

And that’s a wrap! Thank you for joining us at SCOPE Summit 2026. We hope you leave inspired, connected, and energized for what’s next in clinical trials. Safe travels, and we can’t wait to see you at the next SCOPE event!