Outsourcing
Mastering an Outsourcing Strategy
Relationship and Alliance Management in Outsourced Clinical Trials

How pharma and biotech sponsors approach their outsourcing strategy continues to adapt as the industry responds to business goals, technological advances, and patient needs. Outsourcing models, exploring new technologies and needs, as well as CRO and third-party provider relationships are being re-examined with an eye towards efficiency and adaptability. SCOPE’s 11th Annual Mastering an Outsourcing Strategy stream will dive into agile outsourcing models, working with technology vendors, and exploring the nuances of outsourcing for diversity and inclusion. SCOPE’s 12th Annual Relationship and Alliance Management for Clinical Trials stream is dedicated to exploring strategies for turning a failing relationship around, navigating challenges in acquisitions, and tackling operational challenges with outsourced partners. 





Preliminary Agenda

Breakfast

BREAKFAST PRESENTATION

FROM CHECKLISTS TO AGENTS: HOW AI IS REDEFINING CLINICAL OUTSOURCING AND SPONSOR-VENDOR PARTNERSHIPS

Checklists to Agents in Site Contracting and Clinical Vendor Sourcing: How We Used AI to Modernize and Accelerate while Keeping it Human

Photo of Jenn Hill, Senior Director, Clinical Site Contracts and Payments, Vertex Pharmaceuticals , Senior Director , Clinical Site Contracts and Payments , Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Jenn Hill, Senior Director, Clinical Site Contracts and Payments, Vertex Pharmaceuticals , Senior Director , Clinical Site Contracts and Payments , Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Sandra O'Sullivan, Senior Director, Head, Clinical Vendor Management, Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Photo of Anbu Damodaran, Associate Director, Statistical Programming, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease , Assoc Dir Statistical Programming , Statistical Programming , Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease
Anbu Damodaran, Associate Director, Statistical Programming, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease , Assoc Dir Statistical Programming , Statistical Programming , Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease

In fully outsourced clinical trials, CROs may conduct studies using their own SOPs while sponsors remain accountable for quality, compliance, participant safety, and data integrity. Even after sponsor review of CRO SOPs, audits and inspections may reveal workflow white space, unclear handoffs, or undefined roles. This presentation proposes an AI-assisted approach to compare sponsor and CRO SOPs, identify accountability gaps, and create risk-based oversight plans before compliance issues emerge.

Panel Moderator:

PANEL DISCUSSION:
The New Engagement Landscape: Defining Service Categories and Aligning Vendor–Sponsor Expectations in the Age of AI

Rehbar Tayyabkhan, Head, R&D Sourcing & Procurement, Merck Research Labs , Head , R&D Sourcing & Procurement , Merck & Co

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is redefining clinical development, reshaping the traditional dynamics between pharmaceutical sponsors and clinical service providers. As this technology transforms how and what work is outsourced and contracted, experts will discuss changing expectations around delivery speed, data and process ownership, and the workforce capability.

MEASURING WHAT MATTERS: EVIDENCE-BASED GOVERNANCE AND OVERSIGHT IN CLINICAL OUTSOURCING

Examining Sourcing Strategies and Their Relationship with Clinical Development Performance

Photo of Zachary Smith, Assistant Director, Data Sciences & Analytics, Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development , Senior Data Scientist , Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development
Zachary Smith, Assistant Director, Data Sciences & Analytics, Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development , Senior Data Scientist , Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development
Photo of Anirban Roy Chowdhury, Associate Vice President & Head, Development Centre of Excellence, Innovative Medicine, Sun Pharma , Assoc VP & Head , Development Centre of Excellence,  Innovative Medicine , Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
Anirban Roy Chowdhury, Associate Vice President & Head, Development Centre of Excellence, Innovative Medicine, Sun Pharma , Assoc VP & Head , Development Centre of Excellence, Innovative Medicine , Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

RESOURCING AND OUTSOURCING STRATEGY: PEOPLE-FIRST DECISIONS IN THE AGE OF AI

People First, Future Ready: The Human Advantage beyond Technology

Photo of Cole Eshbach, Senior Clinical Trial Manager, Keenova Therapeutics , Sr. Clinical Trial Manager , Keenova Therapeutics
Cole Eshbach, Senior Clinical Trial Manager, Keenova Therapeutics , Sr. Clinical Trial Manager , Keenova Therapeutics
Photo of Carrie Lewis, Executive Director, Clinical Program Optimization, Keenova Therapeutics , Executive Director , Clinical Program Optimization , Keenova Therapeutics
Carrie Lewis, Executive Director, Clinical Program Optimization, Keenova Therapeutics , Executive Director , Clinical Program Optimization , Keenova Therapeutics
Photo of Suzy Montanye, Site Relationship Manager, Keenova Therapeutics , Site Relationship Manager , Clinical Operations , Keenova Therapeutics
Suzy Montanye, Site Relationship Manager, Keenova Therapeutics , Site Relationship Manager , Clinical Operations , Keenova Therapeutics
Photo of Jimmy Bechtel, Chief Site Success Officer, Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS) , Chief Site Success Officer , Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS)
Jimmy Bechtel, Chief Site Success Officer, Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS) , Chief Site Success Officer , Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS)
Photo of Rosalie Filling, Vice President, Senior Global Head, R&D Operations, Keenova Therapeutics , VP Clinical Operations , Clinical Operations , Keenova Therapeutics
Rosalie Filling, Vice President, Senior Global Head, R&D Operations, Keenova Therapeutics , VP Clinical Operations , Clinical Operations , Keenova Therapeutics
Photo of Max Ghez, Global Head, Clinical Business Development, Syneos Health , Global Head, Business Development , Syneos Health
Max Ghez, Global Head, Clinical Business Development, Syneos Health , Global Head, Business Development , Syneos Health
Photo of Scott Sawicki, Senior Director, Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management, Centessa Pharmaceuticals , Senior Director , Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management , Centessa Pharmaceuticals
Scott Sawicki, Senior Director, Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management, Centessa Pharmaceuticals , Senior Director , Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management , Centessa Pharmaceuticals
Photo of John Woodson, Executive Director, Head, Budget & Resource Management, Global Clinical Operations, Novartis , Executive Director, Head of Budget & Resource Management , Novartis Global Clinical Operations , Novartis Pharmaceuticals
John Woodson, Executive Director, Head, Budget & Resource Management, Global Clinical Operations, Novartis , Executive Director, Head of Budget & Resource Management , Novartis Global Clinical Operations , Novartis Pharmaceuticals

DOING MORE WITH LESS: RESOURCING, OUTSOURCING, AND BIOTECH CLINICAL TRIAL STRATEGY

Big Trials, Small Teams: Innovative Resourcing Models to Deliver Phase 3 Excellence

Photo of Liza Micioni, Senior Director, Head of Clinical Operations, Tris Pharma , Senior Director, Head of Clinical Operations , Tris Pharma, Inc.
Liza Micioni, Senior Director, Head of Clinical Operations, Tris Pharma , Senior Director, Head of Clinical Operations , Tris Pharma, Inc.

Advancing a Phase 3 clinical program within a small biotech requires a fundamentally different operating model than that of large pharmaceutical organizations. This session explores practical and innovative approaches to maximizing limited resources, leveraging strategic partnerships, building agile teams, and prioritizing high-value activities. Attendees will learn how creative thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and disciplined decision-making can enable small biotechs to execute large, complex trials without compromising quality, timelines, or patient experience.

SCOPE Plenary Keynote - Monday

MONDAY GOLF, WORKSHOPS & USER GROUPS

SCOPE’s 6th Annual Masters of Clinical Research Golf Tournament* (Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available)

*Separate Registration Required

OPEN WORKSHOP: Modernizing Informed Consent: AI, Automation, and Ethics in Global Clinical Trials

MONDAY AFTERNOON PLENARY KEYNOTES

Grab Your Seat: Early-Bird Seat Golden Ticket Raffle & Prize Giveaway*

Photo of Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute

*Must be present to win!

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

Photo of Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Panel Moderator:

KEYNOTE INTERACTIVE PANEL: Solving the Enrollment Crisis: Bridging Clinical Care and Clinical Research

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

Panelists:

Zhanna Jumadilova, MD, Biopharmaceutical Physician Executive, Pragmatic Clinical Trials, R&D, Pfizer , Pragmatic Trials Clinical Lead , Pragmatic Clinical Trials, R&D , Pfizer

Elizabeth Rogers, Vice President, Head, R&D Clinical Operations, Portfolio Development, CSL Behring , VP , Head, R&D Clinical Operations, Portfolio Development , CSL Behring

SCOPE Announcements: Tips for Getting the Most out of SCOPE

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Panel Moderator:

KEYNOTE INTERACTIVE PANEL: SCOPE's 4th Annual Site Innovation Awards

Irfan Khan, CEO, Circuit Clinical , CEO , Circuit Clinical

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

Panelists:

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

Angela DeLuca, Vice President, Global Head, Site Management & Monitoring, AstraZeneca , VP & Global Head Site Management & Monitoring , Site Management & Monitoring , AstraZeneca

Joe Dustin, Senior Director, Digital Clinical Development, Sanofi , Senior Director, Digital Clinical Development , Digital Clinical Development , Sanofi

Sean Soth, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Global Business Partnerships, SCRS , Senior Vice President , Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS)

Panel Moderator:

KEYNOTE INTERACTIVE PANEL: SCOPE's 11th Annual Participant Engagement Awards

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Kelly McKee, Vice President, Strategy & Transformation, Science 37; Co-Creator of the SCOPE Participant Engagement Award , Vice President, Strategy & Transformation , Science37

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

Panelists:

Andrea Bartucca, Director, Trial Awareness and Recruitment, Rapport Therapeutics , Director, Trial Awareness , Trial Awareness and Recruitment , Rapport Therapeutics

Sarah Bednarski, MS, Senior Director, Core Capabilities, Clinical Operations, BlueRock Therapeutics , Sr. Director Core Capabilities , Clinical Operations , BlueRock Therapeutics

Savine DaCosta, PhD, Clinical Trial Access and Representation Site Lead, Biogen , Clinical Trial Access and Representation Site Lead , Biogen

Anita Difrancesco, Senior Vice President, Clinical Operations, Endeavor Biomedicines , SVP , Clinical Operations , Endeavor Biomedicines

Gretchen Goller, Head, Recruitment and Retention, Pfizer Inc. , Head , Recruitment and Retention , Pfizer Inc.

April Lewis, Clinical Solutions, PatientPartner; Strategic Advisor, ZS , Sr. Director, Innovative Health , Global Development , Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

Wendy Lurrie, Acting Head of Comms, BestGuessistan , Acting Head of Comms

Adrienne Walstrum, Senior Director, Global Trial Optimization, Merck , Senior Director , Global Trial Optimization , Merck & Co

Kate Wilson, Senior Director, Head of Global Clinical Trial Access & Representation, Biogen , Senior Director , Head of Global Clinical Trial Access & Representation , Biogen

SCOPE's Kickoff Reception—Welcome to the Wild Wild West! (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

SCOPE Plenary Keynote - Tuesday

TUESDAY MORNING EXERCISE & COFFEE

SCOPE's Morning Fun Run! (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

COORDINATOR: 

Bridget Kotelly, Senior Director, Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Get up & Go Specialty Coffee (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

TUESDAY PLENARY KEYNOTES

SCOPE’s Stretch Break & Annual T-Shirt Toss (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)

Photo of Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Grab Your Seat: Early-Bird Seat Raffle & Prize Giveaway!* (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)

Photo of Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute

*Must be present to win!

KEYNOTE FIRESIDE CHAT: The Other Side of Drug Development: A Pharma Leader's Journey as a Rare Disease Parent

Photo of Craig Lipset, Founder, Advisor, Clinical Innovation Partners; Co-Chair, Decentralized Trials & Research Alliance (DTRA) , Co Chair , Decentralized Trials & Research Alliance DTRA
Craig Lipset, Founder, Advisor, Clinical Innovation Partners; Co-Chair, Decentralized Trials & Research Alliance (DTRA) , Co Chair , Decentralized Trials & Research Alliance DTRA

Michelle Werner, Executive Vice President, President, North America, Ipsen, Rare Disease Mom and Advocate , EVP , President, North America , Ipsen

For leaders who have spent their careers developing medicines, the experience of navigating a rare disease within their own family can bring an entirely different perspective to the urgency, complexity, and human impact of drug development. This fireside conversation will explore that intersection: what changes when an industry leader experiences drug development and clinical research as a parent, what the industry can learn from that perspective, and how it can inform the way we develop medicines and design clinical trials for patients and families.

KEYNOTE FIRESIDE CHAT: From Reform to Implementation: FDA’s New Clinical Trial Innovation Office and Operation Trialblazer

Photo of Kevin Bugin, PhD, Associate Vice President, Head, Global Regulatory Policy and Intelligence, Amgen , Head , Regulatory Policy and Intelligence , Amgen
Kevin Bugin, PhD, Associate Vice President, Head, Global Regulatory Policy and Intelligence, Amgen , Head , Regulatory Policy and Intelligence , Amgen

FDA’s clinical-trial modernization agenda is moving from policy ambition to implementation. This plenary discussion will explore the new clinical-trial-innovation office being established within CDER’s Office of Medical Policy, Operation Trialblazer, and related FDA priorities. The conversation will focus on the office’s intended role, near-term priorities, opportunities to leverage existing industry capabilities, and what sponsors, sites, and research partners should anticipate as the work takes shape.

Welcome to SCOPE Europe 2027—Saddle up for the Future of Clinical Trials

Photo of Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Panel Moderator:

KEYNOTE INTERACTIVE PANEL: From Years to Months: Is Radical Acceleration in Clinical Research Finally Possible?

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Panelists:

Christoph Koenen, MD, Head of Clinical Development & Operations, Pharma R&D, Bayer , Head of Clinical Development & Operations , Pharma Research & Development , Bayer

Grand Opening Coffee & Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)—Best of Show Voting Opens

SCOPE Plenary Keynote - Wednesday

WEDNESDAY PLENARY KEYNOTES

Organizer's Welcome Remarks

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Panel Moderator:

KEYNOTE INTERACTIVE PANEL: The Digital Transformation of Clinical Trials: From Protocol to Patient

Darren Weston, Head, Integrated Data Analytics and Reporting, Johnson & Johnson , Head , Integrated Data Analytics and Reporting , Johnson & Johnson

Panelists:

Michael Cantor, Vice President, Data Technology & Innovation, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , Vice President , Data Technology & Innovation , Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc

Justine Rochon, Senior Vice President, Head of R&D Data and Quantitative Sciences, Takeda , SVP , Head of R&D Data and Quantitative Sciences , Takeda

Sammi Rui Tang, PhD, Senior Vice President & Global Head, Quantitative Sciences & Evidence Generation, Astellas Pharma, Inc. , Sr VP & Global Head , Quantitative Sciences & Evidence Generation , Astellas Pharma Inc

Rachel Nering, Vice President, Head of Early Development and eDevelopment, Sanofi , VP , Head of Early Development and eDevelopment , Sanofi

SCOPE’s Booth Crawl (Sponsorship Opportunities Available) & Last Chance for Exhibit Viewing

SCOPE Plenary Keynote - Thursday

THURSDAY PLENARY KEYNOTES

Organizer's Welcome Remarks

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, SCOPE, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Case Study: AI and the R&D Revolution: Reinventing Drug Development from Discovery to Clinical Trials

Photo of Dan Sheeran, Vice President & General Manager, Healthcare & Life Sciences, AWS , VP & GM Healthcare & Life , Healthcare & Life Sciences , AWS
Dan Sheeran, Vice President & General Manager, Healthcare & Life Sciences, AWS , VP & GM Healthcare & Life , Healthcare & Life Sciences , AWS

AI is reshaping R&D from discovery through clinical development. This case study will explore how organizations are applying AI at scale to accelerate innovation, improve decision-making, and transform how new medicines are developed.

Panel Moderator:

KEYNOTE INTERACTIVE PANEL: The New Clinical Development Operating Model

Kristi Koontz, Vice President, Global Study and Site Operations, Amgen , VP , Global Study and Site Operations , Amgen

Panelists:

David Carruthers, Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D Clinical Operations, AstraZeneca , Vice President , BioPharmaceuticals R&D Clinical Operations , AstraZeneca

Nick Hodges, Senior Vice President & Head, Clinical Development Operations & R&D Transformation Office, Ipsen , SVP, Head of Global Clinical Development , Global Clinical Operations , Ipsen

Henry Wei, MD, Executive Director, Development Innovation, Regeneron , Executive Director , Development Innovation , Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc

Closing Remarks & Lunch for Here or on the Go!

SCOPE Summit 2027 Adjourns


SCOPE Track Summariese

2027 Conference Programs