Recruitment & Engagement
Enrollment Planning and Patient Recruitment
Patient Engagement 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 16th Annual Patient Recruitment & Engagement stream delves into strategies to enroll for global trials, leverage AI/ML and data analytics to improve recruitment, retention and diversity, and tactics to improve up-front enrollment planning. The Enrollment Planning and Patient Recruitment conference shares best practices to enroll for global trials, multi-channel approaches to accelerate recruitment, and new data-driven processes to identify patient populations.  Patient Engagement and Retention through Communities and Technology conference explores pathways to engage diverse populations, opportunities for partnering with advocacy, and best practices for leveraging new technologies without losing sight of the participant’s user experience and potential technology burden.  

Monday, February 3

6:30 amGolf Check-In & Breakfast Buffet (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

8:00 amSCOPE's 4th Annual Masters of Clinical Research Golf Tournament* (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

Connect with your peers and colleagues at SCOPE's 4th Annual Masters of Clinical Research Golf Tournament. For more information on participating or how you can get involved as a sponsor, please visit the SCOPE Summit website for further details.
*Limited space available. Separate registration and fee required for golf.

9:00 amRegistration Open

12:00 pmGolf Lunch Buffet (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS: IN-PERSON ONLY

12:00 pm– 4:00 pm WORKSHOP 1: Innovation Day with IQVIA Technologies: Hear the vision. See the products. Join the journey.

Clinical trial sponsors are invited to join digital product leaders and industry colleagues for an afternoon of discussions, demos, and networking. This interactive event has been carefully curated to help clinical trial professionals crack key challenges across the clinical trial lifecycle: from participant and site user journeys to data security and workflows. Pharmaceutical executives with various roles in clinical operations, innovation, technology, finance/budgeting, data analytics, strategic sourcing, trial managers, medical directors, or patient and site engagement will enjoy an industry panel, interactive roundtables, live demos with product experts, and more! Pre-registration is requested, and IQVIA reserves the right to decline requests that don’t fall within attendee guidelines above: Learn more and register here.

1:00 pm– 1:45 pm WORKSHOP 2: Exploring ClinEco—SCOPE’s Growing Online B2B Clinical Trial Community

PRESENTERS:
Marina Filshstinsky, MD, Executive Director, SCOPE Summit; Co-Founder, ClinEco
Micah Lieberman, Executive Director and Team Lead, SCOPE Summit; Co-Founder, ClinEco
Erik Yorke, Marketing Lead and Scientific Writer, ClinEco

Discover how you can stay connected and extend your SCOPE conference conversations year-round in this interactive workshop focused on ClinEco—the dynamic online B2B marketplace bringing together sponsors, CROs, site networks, and innovative solution providers to streamline partnering.

This workshop will help you understand how to take full advantage of ClinEco’s capabilities. Through real-world case studies, we'll demonstrate how ClinEco members streamlined their outsourcing processes, discovered new partners, and expanded their global reach. Whether you're a sponsor seeking new collaborations or a vendor looking to stand out, this session will provide actionable insights to boost your success.

Join us to experience the future of clinical trial networking and collaboration!

1:00 pm– 2:30 pm WORKSHOP 3: The Path towards Sustainable Clinical Trials: Reducing the Environmental Impact of Global Clinical Trials

INSTRUCTORS:

Michael J. Cohen, Senior Director, Lead, Environmental Sustainability, PPD/Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thierry Escudier, Portfolio Lead, Pistoia Alliance

Hannah Sieber, Co-Founder, CEO, Artyc

Diana Steinbuesch, BioX Operations Portfolio Lead (Oncology), Roche

While developing leading and innovative therapies, we must not lose sight of the environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions. We can reduce the environmental impact of our studies by prioritizing remote visits and monitoring, by reducing kit wastage, and working together to find ‘greener’ solutions. This workshop will provide a brief overview of research and introductory strategies for reducing emissions as well as a 'Sustainability 101' to help anyone in our industry get started towards developing more environmentally responsible clinical trials. Open to all SCOPE attendees. Sustainable Healthcare Coalition is a Partnering Organization at SCOPE.

1:00 pm– 2:30 pm WORKSHOP 4: Efficient Importation of Biological Materials into the U.S.

INSTRUCTORS:
Jessica Hammes, Branch Chief, Biological Threat Exclusion, Agriculture Safeguarding and Risk Management, Agriculture Programs and Trade Liaison, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Jennifer Merriman, Senior Manager, Strategic Biospecimen & Vendor Logistics, Consent, Biospecimens, & Imaging, Global Development Operations, Bristol Myers Squibb Co.
Brandy Porter, Assistant Director, Pharmaceuticals, Health, and Chemicals Center of Excellence & Expertise, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and partner government agencies regulate the importation of biological materials into the United States. The efficient importation of these items can be challenging, as Clinical Trial landscape is ever-evolving. The purpose of this workshop is to discuss current challenges, best practices, and possible solutions to navigate this landscape.

2:00 pm– 3:30 pm WORKSHOP 5: Sponsor and Site Perspectives: Addressing Current Challenges and Exploring Future Opportunities in Clinical Trial Financing

INSTRUCTORS:
Dawn Anderson, Partner, Consulting, Deloitte LLP
Ming Shen, Managing Director, Deloitte Consulting LLP

This workshop will explore sponsor and site perspectives on current challenges and future opportunities in clinical trial financing. It will address complexities in managing trial finance including estimation, budgeting, forecasting, invoicing, payments, reconciliation and others in clinical trial management. The workshop aims to identify innovative solutions to enhance finance management in clinical trials, fostering more accurate projections. Through discussions and interactive sessions, it seeks to provide insights for future opportunities to improve clinical trial finance.

MONDAY AFTERNOON PLENARY SESSION:
CONVERGING CLINICAL RESEARCH AND CARE, PATIENT PANEL & PARTICIPANT ENGAGEMENT AWARDS

3:50 pm

Organizer's Welcome Remarks & 4th Annual Masters of Clinical Research Golf Tournament Awards

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, Cambridge Healthtech Institute; Co-Founder, ClinEco

3:58 pm

Chairperson's Introduction

Jenny Denney, Executive Vice President, Global Head Parexel FSP, Parexel

4:00 pm KEYNOTE PRESENTATION:

Fast-Forward to 2035: What Success Could Look like in Converging Clinical Research and Care—And How to Get There

Janice Chang, CEO, TransCelerate Biopharma, Inc.

Mark McClellan, MD, PhD, Director, Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy; Former Commissioner, FDA

On this stage in 2024, we spoke about our mission to converge clinical research and clinical care for the benefit of patients worldwide. We envision a world in which patients participate in research at the point of care as seamlessly as possible. And although we’ve set our vision, and organized the work we are undertaking accordingly, the real fruits of those efforts will not be seen in the short term. We will use this session to talk about where we hope we will be by 2035. What might we reasonably achieve? What does success look like? And what will it take to get there? This session is designed to help us all to raise our gaze beyond the near-term and find inspiration in the future possibilities.

4:25 pm

Tips for Getting the Most out of SCOPE

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, Cambridge Healthtech Institute; Co-Founder, ClinEco

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 3-6, 2025, at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida! 

https://www.scopesummit.com/faq-how-to-succeed-at-scope


4:33 pm

Chairperson's Introduction

Fiona Geiger, Vice President, Operational Delivery, Operations, Endpoint Clinical, Inc.

4:35 pm INTERACTIVE KEYNOTE PANEL:

What Do Real Patients Actually Talk About? 

PANEL MODERATOR:

T. Hephner, CRO, Inspire

Whether at an industry event, a focus group, or another venue, we’ve all heard “real” patients share stories of their conditions, treatment journeys, and lives. But how accurate is what you’ve heard? Are the patients who speak on the podium or in a focus group truly representative of the majority of patients, or do they represent just a small sample? Our panel of patient engagement experts from some of the country’s leading patient advocacy groups and other representative organizations will give the story of what it’s like for most patients to live with illness, including rare and chronic diseases. Join us and learn about the true challenges of disease burden, unmet needs, treatment progression, the challenges–and rewards–of clinical trials, and more.

PANELISTS:

Emily McCormack, Social Media Director, New York Blood Center Enterprises

Fabian Sandoval, PhD, President & CEO, Emerson Clinical Research Institute

Quynh Tran, Director of Patient Activation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

5:05 pmSCOPE's 9th Annual Participant Engagement Awards Introduction (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)

5:10 pm

SCOPE's 9th Annual Participant Engagement Awards

PANEL MODERATORS:

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, Cambridge Healthtech Institute; Co-Founder, ClinEco

Kelly McKee, Head of Innovative Patient Recruitment, Evinova, an AstraZeneca Company; Co-Creator of the SCOPE Participant Engagement Award

David Sall, President & CEO, Marketing, Patient Enrollment Advisors LLC

Now in its 9th 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 2025 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:

Tricia Barrett, CEO, Praxis

Brian Burkhardt, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Oliver Patch Project, Inc.

Michelle Everill, Vice President, Global Trial Optimization, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals

Gretchen Goller, Head, Enrollment Strategy, Oncology, Pfizer Inc.

Jen Horonjeff, PhD, Founder & CEO, Savvy Cooperative

Stacy Hurt, Chief Patient Officer, Patient Engagement, Parexel International

Kim Ribeiro, Chief Client Officer, Inside Edge Consulting Group

5:45 pmSCOPE's Kickoff Reception: A Luau to Remember!

Everyone who’s been to SCOPE knows that the Kickoff Reception is NOT to be missed!  This year, we're turning up the tropical vibes with a luau theme.  

DRESS CODE:  Hawaiian shirts are encouraged!  Show off your brightest, boldest, most tropical attire (grass skirts optional!) Let's bring the aloha spirit to life as we kick off another amazing SCOPE conference experience.  Join us to reconnect with your old friends, make some new ones, and soak up the Florida sunshine in style!

7:00 pmClose of Day

Tuesday, February 4

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

Join SCOPE’s Coordinators on Tuesday, February 4 for our 5K Rise and Shine Fun Run! Don’t forget to pack your sneakers.
All of us at Cambridge Healthtech Institute recognize the importance of integrating well-being and fitness into our work travel routines. We're excited to offer our support to faculty, sponsors, and attendees in fostering a culture of wellness. This is an easygoing, informal running (or walking) event. No time chips, running bibs, or energy bars—just a laid-back opportunity for a small group to start the day on a positive note. You can sprint, run, jog, walk, jog-and-talk, or walk-and-talk—the goal is to get up and get moving! Meet us in the Rosen Hotel’s front lobby near the birdcage at 6:30 am sharp!
RUN COORDINATORS:
Eileen Murphy, Conference Producer, Production, Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Steve Wimmer, Vice President of Partnerships, 1nHealth

7:30 amRegistration Open

7:30 amMorning Coffee (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

Get Up and Go! Jumpstart your morning with a specialty made-to-order coffee and some delicious treats, courtesy of our sponsors.

TUESDAY MORNING PLENARY SESSION:
REDUCING CYCLE TIMES WITH “IN-HOUSE” CAPABILITIES, DATING GAME WITH PATIENTS & NEW PARADIGM OF PATIENT-LED TRIAL SPONSORS

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

*Must be present to win.

8:30 am

Welcome to SCOPE 2025—Who’s Here and Why, What’s New, Annual Awards

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, Cambridge Healthtech Institute; Co-Founder, ClinEco

8:40 am

Chairperson's Introduction

Jonathan Rowe, Principal & Head, R&D Quality Operations & Risk Management, ZS Associates, Inc.

8:42 am KEYNOTE PRESENTATION:

Exquisite Clinical Trial Delivery in an Ever-Changing World—Evolution and Opportunity for Sustained Performance

Andrew Lee, Senior Vice President & Head, Global Clinical Trial Operations, Merck & Co.

This talk focuses broadly on Merck's strategy to discover, develop, and bring innovative medicines to market by pursuing promising science, prioritizing key opportunities, and adapting to a changing landscape. More specifically, how has Merck decided to optimize clinical trial operations, and the relationships between product development teams, clinical sub-teams, and clinical trial teams? What are key considerations for clinical trial planning, site selection, and protocol design? And, what and why did Merck keep many core capabilities “in-house”?

9:10 am THE CLINICAL TRIAL DATING GAME:

Beyond the Real-World Data, What Are Patients Saying?
Special LIVE Episode with Studio Audience–Patient Contestants will be Announced Onsite!

Brett Kleger, CEO, Inspire

The Bachelor: Kristopher Sarajian, Vice President, Marketing, Trialbee

SCOPE’s Gameshow Host: Brett Kleger, a man whose dream it was to be a wedding singer or gameshow host

In today’s episode of “The Clinical Trial Dating Game” we have our pharma industry bachelor looking for a volunteer for his trial. He must question and choose from among three patients, who are hidden from view. He has access to all of their data, but there is more to this person than data, so how will he know which questions to ask? How will he avoid bias? How will he recruit on time? Knowing how important patient centricity is to the clinical research industry and with so much on the line, will our bachelor land a date? What could go wrong?

9:20 am KEYNOTE PANEL DISCUSSION:

How Patients Can—and Must—Disrupt Traditional Pharma Clinical Trials

PANEL MODERATOR:

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

Should biopharma companies be the only "sponsors" for clinical trials of new medicines? Does the current model limit opportunities for unmet needs in small populations or leveraging repurposed drugs? This panel will gather leaders demonstrating ways that patient-led non-profit organizations are challenging assumptions and taking a leadership position in medicine development. No longer can we think of patients as guests at pharma's table—is the next transformation in medicine development going to be entirely patient-led?

PANELISTS:

Deirdre BeVard, Senior Vice President, R&D Strategic Operations, CSL

Heidi Bjornson-Pennell, Senior Program Manager, Science in Society and Lead, Rare As One Network, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative LLC

Nasha Fitter, Co-Founder & CEO, FOXG1 Research Foundation

Craig Martin, Founder, CEO, The Orphan Therapeutics Accelerator

Tracey U. Sikora, Vice President, Research & Clinical Programs, National Organization for Rare Disorders; Co-Founder, Every Cure

9:50 amGrand Opening Coffee & Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall—Best of Show Voting Opens

Join us for the Grand Opening Networking Coffee break in our biggest SCOPE Exhibit Hall ever! Mingle with friends, forge new connections, and exchange ideas over your morning cup of joe. Visit exhibitors and learn about their latest and greatest innovations and products...voting opens for our Best of Show awards so don’t forget to vote.

Part 1: Enrollment Planning and Patient Recruitment

PARTNERING TO ACCELERATE AND IMPROVE RECRUITMENT

11:00 am Chairperson's Remarks

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

11:05 am

Early Patient Advocacy Group Engagement: Best Practices for Establishing Efficient Partnerships

Patricia Roselle, Global Head, Patient Stakeholder Engagement, Sanofi

Speed is often the determinant of whether patients will be able to inform the development program and/or clinical trial. Some industry partners hesitate to engage PAGs early in R&D, in part due to the perception of slowing study timelines and engagement cycles. The PALADIN Consortium shares Patient Advocacy Groups and Industry Partner insights on why collaboration is important and how to get partnerships up and running faster and more efficiently.

11:35 am

Advancing Clinical Research Through Strategic Partnerships: The SGM Alliance SOGI Business Case

Jimmy Bechtel, Vice President, Site Engagement, Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS)

Craig Davenport, Senior Director, Site Engagement, Eli Lilly & Co.

Garo Kiledjian, Founder & CEO, SGM Alliance

Lisa Moneymaker, Senior Vice President Strategic Customer Engagement, Medidata, a Dassault Systemes Co.

Join us for a timely discussion on the role of strategic partnerships in driving progress for sexual and gender minority (SGM) inclusion in clinical research. With insights from sponsors, sites, and technology leaders, this session will highlight why continued investment in this work is essential and what it means for the future of clinical operations.As the long-awaited SGM Alliance SOGI business case prepares for release, hear from key industry stakeholders on why this initiative matters, the challenges it addresses, and what’s needed to sustain momentum. This is an opportunity to engage with those shaping the conversation and understand how collective action can lead to meaningful change.

12:05 pm

Patient, Community, Academia, and Industry Partnerships to Promote Clinical Trial Diversity

Edward J. Bentlyewski, Assistant Director, Clinical Research Nursing & Quality Assurance, Columbia University

Industry sponsors, patients, and communities all have an interest in diverse and equitable clinical trials. The Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) advances this with its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Clinical Trials Symposium and training programs. These initiatives engage stakeholders, fostering collaboration and bridging gaps between sponsors, patients, and researchers. This presentation highlights how HICCC is driving more inclusive and representative clinical trials.

12:35 pm Redefining Research through Patient and Community Collaboration

Sarah McKeown-Cannon, Senior Vice President & Head, Clinical Research, Heartbeat

Jennifer Horonjeff, Founder & CEO, Savvy Cooperative

Sasha Tyndale, Director, Diversity and Patient Inclusion, AbbVie

Patricia Roselle, Global Head, Patient Stakeholder Engagement, Sanofi

Jeff Huntsman, Chief Commercial Officer, PCM Trials

Matt Smith, VP, Strategic Engagements, Strategic Relationships, Heartbeat Clinical Research

This panel will explore how authentic, community-led engagement transforms clinical research by fostering trust and empowering patients. Learn how to co-create culturally relevant strategies with local leaders, organizations, and communities to achieve inclusion, equity, and sustained impact. The discussion will focus on balancing study-specific needs with long-term community value, providing a roadmap for transitioning from traditional recruitment to sustainable activation. Through real-world examples, actionable takeaways, and a focus on implementation, this session bridges theory to practice, offering insights on how to build meaningful, lasting relationships in clinical research.

1:05 pm Partnering with Sponsors and Investigators to Accelerate Patient Recruitment and Enhance Retention and Compliance

Mike Andino, Senior Director, Patient Recruitment & Retention, ICON

Kathleen Mandzuik, VP, Project Management, ICON

This session will explore site engagement methodologies, patient optionality and navigating the complex landscape between strategic alignment and operational practicality. This includes the importance of early engagement, the patient voice, diversity, site support and endpoint protection. We’ll also discuss how to balance scale, precision, and impact to deliver content and support to the right person, at the right time, with the right frequency through the most appropriate channels. 

1:35 pmSponsored Networking Luncheon

Take this opportunity to refresh and refuel and network, compliments of SCOPE sponsors! Take a well-deserved break outdoors in the sun, or indoors in the air conditioning.

2:35 pmNetworking Coffee & Dessert Break in the Exhibit Hall

SCOPE’s hall this year is bigger than ever; there’s no way to cover it all in just one break. So, after lunch, grab some dessert and a cup of coffee and visit all those booths that you just couldn’t make it to this morning. Stay to hear our Best of Show Winner announcement and congratulate the winner!

PATIENT CENTRICITY AND PATIENT SATISFACTION IN RECRUITMENT

3:20 pm Chairperson's Remarks

Seth Halvorson, General Manager, Site & Clinical Research Solutions, WCG

3:25 pm Enhancing Clinical Trials: Building Trust, Engagement, and Real-Time Impact

Speaker to be Announced, Evinova An AstraZeneca Healthtech Co

Mary Costello, Evinova

Elisabeth Piault-Louis, Scientific Lead, Digital Science, Evinova

Bradley Hightower, CEO, Hightower Clinical

Abigail Dirks, Data Scientist, Tufts University

As the industry navigates the evolving landscape of decentralized clinical trials (DCTs), early implementations of digital technologies for collection of patient-generated data have faced resistance from sites, sparking a re-evaluation of sponsor-site dynamics for the delivery of care while generating evidence for treatment clinical benefit demonstration. This panel dives into the pivotal question: how can we harness patient-centric tools and related data collection to create tangible benefits for site teams such as enabling remote patient monitoring and enhancing their engagement and oversight capabilities? Join an esteemed panel of experts as they share innovative strategies, actionable recommendations, and diverse perspectives on overcoming barriers. Abby Dirk will also unveil insights from The Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development, offering a fresh lens on the future of engagement and trial optimization.

3:55 pm

Competitive Enrollment: Has This Strategy Run Its Course?

William Smith, CEO, Alliance for Multispecialty Research

This presentation will discuss the benefits of competitive patient enrollment and if they are real or perceived. Also, will present a thorough review of the risks and potential associated costs to the research site in a competitive recruitment atmosphere. Does competitive enrollment hinder quality data and diverse enrollment? And if so, can a research site overcome those obstacles? Should competitive enrollment remain part of the standard recruitment process?ity.

4:25 pm

Agency + Digital + Database: Perfecting Patient Recruitment in Clinical Trials

Tobias Kruse, Managing Director Europe, Trials24 GmbH

When it comes to patient recruitment many choose an either-or strategy. They invest in custom collateral or they leverage digital marketing. However, when both strategies are combined with a powerful patient database, magic happens!

Join Dr. Tobias Kruse from SubjectWell and discover how to combine agency, digital, and database strategies, what are the characteristics of a powerful patient database, and how to accelerate global and local clinical studies.

4:55 pm PANEL DISCUSSION:

Empowering Patients: New Sampling Technologies and Processes to Improve Recruitment and Retention

PANEL MODERATOR:

Len Rosenberg, PhD, RPh, Head, Clinical Operations, Beat AML/LLS

We will discuss the current landscape regarding blood biomarker data collection, with a focus on enabling convenient, less painful, and patient-centric small-volume sampling methods, including bloodless techniques. This approach aims to reduce the burden on patients, healthcare systems, and clinical trials. The speakers and panelists will review relevant protocols, logistics, and regulatory acceptance of these innovative methods. By harmonizing the efforts of various stakeholders and creating data-rich environments that support ongoing research and innovation, we can advance towards true patient-centricity, making healthcare more efficient and compassionate for patients and providers alike.

PANELISTS:

Jas Bajwa, Manager, Biosample Operations, Roche

Dmitri Mikhailov, PhD, Director & Global Head, Biomarker Coordination, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc.

Elena "Ella" Sinclair, President and Founder, FlexPoint Bio

Pirinka Tuttle, Associate Director, Clinician, Biomeasures, Endpoints & Study Technologies, Pfizer Inc.

Teri Wright, Director Clinical Lab Sciences & Devices Innovation, Clinical Trial Lab & Diagnostic Design, Eli Lilly and Company

5:25 pm What If Patients Chose You—Rethinking Recruitment and Retention with Empathy and Innovation

Alicia Asgari, Director Technology Solutions, Business Development, StudyKIK

What if clinical trial recruitment and retention were no longer about convincing patients to participate, but about creating an experience so seamless, supportive, and personalized that they stay engaged from start to finish? Join us as we explore how human-centered technology flips the script – meeting patients where they are in their journey and making every step feel personal, empowering, and aligned with their needs. Explore how unified tech solutions simplify outreach, foster communication, and build trust, ensuring that patients feel supported at every stage. Learn how this patient-first approach drives enrollment, improves engagement, and transforms the patient journey into a more compassionate and connected experience.

5:55 pmWelcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

Wind down at the end of a busy session day with colleagues and old and new friends. Networking is always in full swing at this reception, so raise a glass with your favorite exhibitors and take a chance at winning one of our fabulous raffle prizes (must be present to win). Continue your networking over dinner at one of the Rosen Shingle Creek's fine dining or casual restaurants and eliminate the need to face Orlando traffic.

7:15 pmClose of Day

7:15 pmEvening Courtesy Shuttles to Pointe Orlando (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

The Pointe Orlando is an open air-entertainment destination, featuring local and brand names restaurants, bars, nightclubs, 20-screen movie theater, comedy club and family attractions. 

Shuttles will run a continuous loop from 7:00pm-11:00pm (last pick up 30 minutes before end time) between Rosen Shingle Creek, Rosen Plaza, Residence Inn Orlando and Pointe Orlando. 

On-site look for our courtesy shuttle signage directing you to pick up locations within the hotels.

Wednesday, February 5

7:45 amRegistration Open

BREAKFAST PRESENTATIONS

8:15 am BREAKFAST PRESENTATION OPTION #1:Digital Innovation’s Role in Pediatric and Elderly Clinical Trials

Kyle Hogan, CEO, Datacubed Health

This presentation examines how targeted digital tools improve retention rates among pediatric and elderly participants. Our pediatric focus reveals how gamification can create meaningful connections and enhance the trial experience while engaging caregivers. For elderly participants, we examine the use of accessible interfaces and remote monitoring solutions to address age-specific challenges. Attendees will discover strategies for implementing these solutions within their research programs.

8:15 am BREAKFAST PRESENTATION OPTION #2:Expanding the Patient Universe: Transforming Clinical Trials through Inclusive, Data-Driven Design

Christopher Riley, Director, Strategic Insights, Solutions, H1

In today’s complex clinical research landscape, achieving patient-centricity and inclusivity is more critical than ever. This presentation introduces Patient Universe, a groundbreaking solution designed to optimize trial feasibility while addressing health equity challenges. Attendees will learn how leveraging real-world health equity data can transform patient recruitment strategies, create inclusive trial designs, and improve participant engagement. Through actionable insights and use cases, this session will demonstrate how advanced analytics and innovative technologies can bridge gaps in representation, support diversity action planning and enhance trial outcomes.

8:15 am BREAKFAST PRESENTATION OPTION #3:

Scaling Success: How Sanofi and Trialbee Drive Patient-Centric Recruitment and Reduce Site Burden in Global Asthma Programs

Whitley Albright, Clinical Innovation and Operations Strategy Lead, Sanofi

Gaynor Anders, Chief Delivery Officer, Trialbee

Join Whitley Albright (Sanofi) and Gaynor Anders (Trialbee) to discuss how to keep patients at the center of focus while reducing site burden in a complex global asthma program by: connecting patients to the right trials with targeted outreach and a highly efficient global process; pre-qualifying all patients with live medical secondary screening to reduce the volume sent to sites, improve trust, and increase referral-to-consent ratio; keeping disqualified patients ready to enroll with program-level rematching; centralizing activity in a Patient Recruitment Platform (PRP) to manage progress, evaluate site performance, and measure campaign ROI; building a collaborative, supportive, and meaningful relationship.

Learn how these organizations are scaling recruitment success globally while achieving diversity and inclusion goals, reducing site burden, and keeping patients at the center of care.

8:45 amTransition to Sessions

INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO ENHANCE AND OPTIMIZE RECRUITMENT EFFORTS

8:50 am Chairperson's Remarks

Suzanne Harris, Senior Vice President of Marketing, SubjectWell

8:55 am PANEL DISCUSSION:

Empowering Partnerships: Collaborating with Patients and Advocacy Groups to Accelerate Clinical Research

PANEL MODERATOR:

Joan Chambers, Senior Consultant, Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development

Industry stakeholders recognize the importance of leveraging and cultivating meaningful non-profit partnerships to enhance patient advocacy and accelerate the start-up of clinical trials. This session will discuss and provide insight into how to operationalize these partnerships, focusing on the tactical approaches to accelerating the start-up of clinical trials early on, working together, and maintaining the partnerships.

PANELISTS:

Monique Adams, PhD, MS, Executive Director, Global Head Diversity & Inclusion in Clinical Trials, Sanofi

Denise Archilla, MSW, Founder, Chronic Illness Life Coach, Patient Advocate, Chronic Warrior Coaching, LLC

Patrick Lank, Medical Director, Specialty Development, AbbVie

Roy Reese, Head of Healthcare Practice, Ichor Strategies

9:25 am

Patient Remuneration: Results from a Review across IRB Types and Potential Impact on DEI and Recruitment

Tricha Shivas, Chief of Staff & Strategy, Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research

Industry presentations on DEI and patient recruitment have tended to focus on access to research and not other identified areas that drive participation—such as patient remuneration and time commitment. This presentation compiles data across multiple IRB types (central, community, academic) to explore similarities and differences in patient remuneration approach and potential impact to recruitment and DEI initiatives.

9:55 am Removing Barriers & Increasing Diversity in Clinical Trials

Jim Murphy, CEO, Greenphire LLC

Adrelia Allen, Director, Clinical Trial Patient Diversity, Clinical Trial Patient Diversity, Merck & Co Inc

The industry is continuously striving to identify methods of improving the patient experience in clinical trials, with a focus on optimizing recruitment, retention and diversity. In this session, Greenphire and Merck will discuss the common associated challenges faced industry-wide and how their partnership aims to address these hurdles on a global scale. Jim and Adrienne will share strategies, solutions introduced (such as patient payment automation and global travel support) and even a case study highlighting the positive impact on diversity.

10:25 amCoffee Break in the Exhibit Hall

SCOPE is ALL about networking—with clients, colleagues, sponsors and exhibitors. Take this chance to visit booths you haven't been to, build new relationships, and fuel up with coffee for the rest of the busy day ahead. Last chance to vote for the Best of Show award! Make your vote count!

10:45 amSpecial Book Signing

Fundamentals of Decentralized Clinical Trials
Editors: Isaac R. Rodriguez-Chavez & Anna Yang

Location: Gatlin Foyer, ClinEco Booth #1

11:20 am Chairperson's Remarks

Moisha Platto, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Leadership, Scout

11:25 am

Bridging Barriers in Patient Recruitment

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

Walgreens is uniquely positioned to leverage access to patients and trust of communities to address gaps in evidence and relevance resulting from underrepresented groups in clinical trials. Bringing clinical trials into the community and engaging people where they’re comfortable provides structure for sustained education, which builds community capacity of knowledge and skills about clinical trials processes. Explore Walgreens Patient Advisory Board and learnings from community engagement approaches.

11:55 am Why Patients Ignore Your Trials—And Listen to Consumer Brands

Mark Evans, Managing Director, Faze

Faze, part of one of the world’s largest communications group Havas who work with global brands including Adidas, KFC, and Coca Cola and their record label manage artists including Taylor Swift.

Demonstrating case studies from the field in how applying consumer brand approaches can accelerate clinical trial recruitment, connecting authentically with patients, engaging and supporting them through to randomization.

12:25 pm Future of Medicine Community Health Screening: A Revolutionary Approach to Enrolling Clinical Trials

Ralph Passarella, Co-Founder, Care Access

Our industry has been working hard to improve trial enrollment for decades with only limited progress. We need a new paradigm for planning and enrolling trials. Care Access is introducing the Future of Medicine, a community health screening and education program that increases access to, and education about, clinical research. Sponsors can transform the economics of recruiting through a protocol-agnostic, “always on” approach to screening where participants are screened once – including for novel biomarkers – and considered for a number of trials at the same time. Care Access's community footprint allows us to provide health and research education, offer diagnostic testing, and connect Members to local trials across the US and Brazil (with new countries coming online soon). Hear from Ralph Passarella, Co-Founder of Care Access, during this session and learn how you can help bring Future of Medicine to communities around the world.

12:55 pmSponsored Networking Luncheon

Once again, join us for lunch, courtesy of our generous sponsors.

1:55 pmNetworking Coffee & Dessert Break in the Exhibit Hall—Best of Show Winner Announced

SCOPE's Networking Coffee and Dessert Break is the perfect time to pick up a sweet treat, courtesy of our sponsors, and fuel up for the afternoon with a cup of coffee or soft drink. Visit our Game Card Sponsors to fill your Game Card with stickers and get in a little more networking time before afternoon sessions!

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON PLENARY SESSION:
FOSTERING INNOVATION IN PHARMA R&D, LEVERAGING DIGITAL TOOLS WITHOUT LOSING YOUR MIND & UNLEASHING GenAI FOR TRIALS

2:30 pm

SCOPE around the World, Faces from the Community

Marina Filshtinsky, MD, Executive Director, Conferences, Cambridge Healthtech Institute; Co-Founder, ClinEco

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, Cambridge Healthtech Institute; Co-Founder, ClinEco

2:35 pm

Chairperson's Introduction

Brad Stefanovic, PhD, Head Clinical Innovation, Pro-ficiency, a Simulations Plus Company

2:37 pm KEYNOTE PRESENTATION:

Fostering Clinical Innovation in a Large Pharmaceutical Organization

James Gallagher, Senior Director, Innovative Health, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

This presentation explores strategies for fostering innovation within a large pharmaceutical organization by focusing on four key areas: developing a clear mandate and compelling vision to guide innovation efforts; designing and engineering an infrastructure that supports creativity and collaboration; building a high-performance, diverse team empowered to drive innovation; and seeking opportunities for true patient-centricity and sponsor-agnostic innovation. By aligning these elements, the organization can create a sustainable innovation ecosystem that prioritizes patient outcomes and drives transformative breakthroughs in healthcare.

3:00 pm KEYNOTE PRESENTATION:

Harnessing Tech & AI for Quality and Performance in Clinical Trial Operations

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

Sponsors can leverage increasing technology capabilities to enhance quality by integrating advanced data analytics, AI, and automation into their drug development and manufacturing processes. These technologies enable real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and streamlined workflows, ensuring higher precision and consistency in product quality. Additionally, digital tools facilitate better compliance with regulatory standards and more efficient management of clinical trials, ultimately accelerating time-to-market while maintaining rigorous quality standards.

3:20 pm

SCOPE Award Winners & Announcements

Micah Lieberman, Executive Director, Cambridge Healthtech Institute; Co-Founder, ClinEco

3:25 pmSponsored Presentation (Opportunity Available)

3:30 pm KEYNOTE PANEL DISCUSSION:

The Unleashing of Gen AI: Revolutionizing Healthcare and Beyond

PANEL MODERATOR:

Disa Lee Choun, Head of Integrated Clinical and Operational Analytics (ICOA), Johnson & Johnson

Gen AI, a groundbreaking approach that seamlessly merges artificial intelligence into our daily lives, holds immense potential for transforming the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. This paradigm shift not only demands a thorough understanding of the ethical implications, potential biases, and social consequences of AI systems— it also requires a steadfast focus on creating tangible value that benefits individuals and society at-large. By harnessing advanced AI technologies, Gen AI can pave the way for unparalleled breakthroughs, elevating patient care, enabling personalized medicine, streamlining processes, and revolutionizing the way we approach healthcare as a whole. Join the debate on the real value-based use cases and explore the endless possibilities that Gen AI brings to the table.

PANELISTS:

James Gallagher, Senior Director, Innovative Health, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

Andrew Lee, Senior Vice President & Head, Global Clinical Trial Operations, Merck & Co.

Brian Martin, Chief AI Product Owner, BTS; Head of AI, R&D Information Research; Senior Research Fellow, AbbVie, Inc.

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

4:00 pmBooth Crawl & Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall (Sponsorships Available) Last Chance for Exhibit Viewing

We know you're tired, we know the Exhibit Hall is huge, and we know you still have some booths to visit, some connections to make, some networking to do. SCOPE's Networking Booth Crawl is the time to do it! Crawl if you must, but be sure to visit our sponsored booths for some food, drinks, and enough energy to finish SCOPE strong! Our final Networking Exhibit Hall break is the final time to see the exhibits you haven't seen and meet the people you haven't yet met. The break ends with another amazing raffle prize, so be sure to get your Game Cards in and the lucky winner (must be present to win) could be you!

5:00 pmClose of Day

5:00 pmEvening Courtesy Shuttles to Pointe Orlando (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

The Pointe Orlando is an open air-entertainment destination, featuring local and brand names restaurants, bars, nightclubs, 20-screen movie theater, comedy club and family attractions.

Shuttles will run a continuous loop from 5:00pm-9:00pm (last pick up 30 minutes before end time) between Rosen Shingle Creek, Rosen Plaza, Residence Inn Orlando and Pointe Orlando. 

On-site look for our courtesy shuttle signage directing you to pick up locations within the hotels.

Thursday, February 6

7:15 amRegistration Open

BREAKFAST PRESENTATION

7:45 am BREAKFAST PRESENTATION:What Sites Really Need to Deliver Successful Patient Engagement Strategies

Leslie Ives, Senior Director, Patient Recruitment, Patient Strategy and Insights, Parexel International

Brittany Harvey, Clinical Project Mgr, Clinical Operations, UCB Inc

Jimmy Bechtel, Vice President, Site Engagement, Society for Clinical Research Sites

Sites have shared that delivering successful patient recruitment is arguably one of the most persistent challenges they face. Despite this being well-known, not enough of the right support is provided to them, causing more than half of sites to pay out of pocket for unreimbursed recruitment expenses, all while the one-size-fits-all recruitment materials provided to them collect dust. By rethinking how we support sites in their patient engagement activities, sponsors and CROs can shift the paradigm to make patient enrollment delays and declining retention rates outliers, instead of the norm. This breakfast session will discuss strategies to transform patient engagement by leveraging site experience, incorporating patient insights and motivations, as well as AI solutions, to improve patient retention and deliver better study outcomes.

8:15 amTransition to Sessions

Part 2: Patient Engagement and Retention through Communities and Technology

TOOLS AND PROCESSES TO REACH ENROLLMENT TARGETS & RETAIN PATIENTS VIA TRUST & TRANSPARENCY

8:20 am Chairperson's Remarks

Michael Stadler, CEO & Co-Founder, Leadership, Clariness

8:25 am

Enhancing Diversity in Clinical Trials through External Partnerships

Kemi Williams, Senior Director, Patient Science, AstraZeneca

Concerted engagement is necessary to increase equity, diversity, and inclusion, and address barriers to clinical trial recruitment & participation. AstraZeneca is deeply committed to promoting trial diversity and has established a repeatable and scalable strategy for collaborating with cross-sector external partners to improve trial diversity. This session aims to provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that exist in trial diversity partnerships and, through a case study review, showcase our experience with the partnerships.

8:55 am

LLMs and the Science of Diversity in Clinical Trials: Case Studies from an American Heart Association's Strategically Funded Research Network

Muhammed Idris, PhD, Co Director, Digital Health & Medicine, Morehouse School Of Medicine

There is a lot of hype surrounding large language models (LLMs), but few demonstrations of their practical applications in advancing clinical trial diversity. This session will highlight opportunities and challenges applying these tools to enhance recruitment strategies, optimize outreach, and provide tailored training opportunity for principal investigators and research coordinators based on our leadership within the American Heart Association's Strategically Funded Research Network on the Science of Clinical Trial Diversity.

9:25 am What Are You Missing in Recruitment and Enrollment?

Alyssa Vincze, Principal & Director, R&D, Milliman IntelliScript

Current (pre-)screening methods are slow and expensive, but did you know that they also miss critical information? IntelliScript’s studies show that ineligible participants are randomizing into trials in shocking numbers. Irix can fill the information gap and speed up enrollment by retrieving and interpreting health data on trial participants in a matter of seconds. Collect a HIPAA authorization to access our proprietary, nationwide data and make better, faster eligibility decisions.

9:40 am How to Overcome Trial Planning & Recruitment Challenges

Lindsay Stahl, Vice President, Global Head of Patient Engagement & Recruitment, Citeline

Hélène Raptis, Head of Feasibility Intelligence, Chiesi Farmaceutici

Chiesi Farmaceutici is a multinational pharmaceutical company focused on the development of advanced treatments for respiratory, special care and rare disease patients. In 2023, Chiesi identified a gap in the digital footprint of its clinical research, which affected its efficient, timely recruitment of patients and ability to build strong relationships with trial stakeholders. This prompted Chiesi to closely examine its internal processes/procedures and seek the support of Citeline. The collaboration encompassed both technical and tactical support to drive enrollment and, ultimately, to raise awareness of its clinical research. Through this collaboration, Chiesi learned many valuable lessons along the way, which it will incorporate in the roll-out of future studies.

9:55 am A New Way Forward—Applying GenAI to Solve the Clinical Trial Recruitment Conundrum at Scale

Dennis Akkaya, Chief Commercial Officer, myTomorrows

Danny Den Hamer, Product Manager, Software Engineering, myTomorrows

Recognize upstream opportunities to engage larger groups of patients, patient advocacy groups (PAGs), healthcare professionals (HCPs), and clinical trial referral networks to significantly reduce timelines and achieve enrollment targets. Gain practical insights into how co-pilot approaches can address stakeholder challenges in the patient recruitment journey while maintaining a human-centered approach. Additionally, watch a live demo and explore real-world examples showcasing how referring physicians and sites benefit from and utilize these innovative technologies.

10:10 am

The Top 5 Most-Requested Resources Patients Ask for to Support Their Continued Participation: Considerations toward Creating Equitable, Engaging Clinical Trial Participation Experiences

Rachel Melloul, MPH, Project Manager, CISCRP

Enrolling and retaining patients in clinical trials remains a significant challenge, particularly among underrepresented groups such as Hispanic, Latino, Black, and African American populations. Our research highlights actionable strategies that sites and staff can implement to improve participation and retention. Key resources identified include: offering study visits closer to patients' homes, providing flexible scheduling, reimbursing out-of-pocket expenses, delivering regular study updates, and compensating patients for their time. In this talk, we will delve into these resources in more detail, offering examples of how clinical sites can integrate these solutions to enhance participant support and retention, especially for those from underrepresented communities, toward providing the support that patients find most impactful in improving their ability to stay enrolled throughout the trial.

10:40 am

Multichannel and Multidisciplinary Approach to Accelerating Patient Recruitment in Rare Disease Clinical Trials

Chris Cirillo, Senior Director, Clinical Operations, Chemomab Therapeutics

We will share the challenges and approaches used to accelerate recruitment in a Phase 2 clinical trial in a rare disease. We utilized a combination of multiple intentional, strategic efforts including direct-to-patient outreach, partnership with patient advocacy organizations, and concierge service to identify patients to move through the enrollment funnel. Through relationship building with investigators and coordinators, these tools were complementary to established site resources. We will also share the return of investment and impact that these efforts had on clinical development.

11:10 amNetworking Coffee Break

MAKING TRIALS MORE ACCESSIBLE TO PATIENTS

11:50 am Chairperson's Remarks

Rachel Wagner, Vice President, Business Development, Care Access

11:55 am

Incorporating Patient-Centric Sampling into Multicenter Clinical Trials: Output from the PCSIG Workshop

Jas Bajwa, Manager, Biosample Operations, Roche

The Patient Centric Sampling Interest Group PCSIG) is a not-for-profit organization that brings together a variety of interested parties who wish to develop and promote the use of patient centric sampling technologies for blood, plasma, urine and other human matrices to better facilitate the advancement of human healthcare and well-being. With this in mind PCSIG held a workshop bringing together individuals with various expertise and backgrounds, with a common passion for making patient-centric sampling a reality in decentralized clinical trials, and a vision of creating a roadmap to guide the industry to overcome associated challenges. The meeting was a great success and a roadmap was developed end to end from conception to delivery and this presentation will explore the findings. If you want to implement or build in the area of patient-centric sampling within your organization then this presentation is not to be missed and will provide valuable insights and rapidly advance your progress and learn from the experiences of many.

12:25 pm Learnings and Performance of a 50,000 Patient-Activated Community, Centered around Vaccine Clinical Trial Participation

Manuri Gunawardena, CEO, Executive, HealthMatch

Nick Spittal, COO, Exec, Velocity Clinical Research

HealthMatch & Velocity Clinical Research created a 50,000 patient activated vaccine community in 2024, months in advance of any specific study launch. The community was educated, nurtured and insights gathered to ultimately shape recruitment strategy and outcomes across multiple vaccine studies at the end of 2024. The speakers will share learnings from the project including performance around randomizations and patient education and discuss how this methodology can be applied successfully to other therapeutic areas

12:55 pm

“This Won’t Work”: Establishing Study Conduct at Retail Pharmacy

Adam Samson, Head Clinical Delivery Operations, Walgreens Clinical Trials

Walgreens Clinical Trials is standing up study sites at retail pharmacies across the country. Learn how these community-centered research locations are set up and how they impact the communities they’re in.

1:25 pmTransition to Lunch

1:30 pm LUNCHEON PRESENTATION: Future of Medicine: Community Health Screenings and Research Education Across America

Ralph Passarella, Co-Founder, Care Access

Get an on-the-ground view into the Future of Medicine program and how Care Access is making advanced health screenings, research education, and study opportunities accessible to hundreds of communities across the nation and beyond.

2:00 pmSCOPE Summit 2025 Adjourns






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