Breakout Discussions

Back by popular demand, the value of these interactive sessions cannot be overstated. These lively exchanges not only enhance learning, but they also create a vibrant networking environment, fostering community and inspiring future collaborations.

Monday, November 6, 4:00 – 5:00

TABLE 1: Balancing Short-Term Goals and Long-Term Investment in R&D Resource Allocation
Moderators: Astrid Maria Dahl, COO and Head, Innovent Biologics (Europe)

• Consequences of prioritizing short-term gains over long-term innovation
• Role of collaboration and partnerships in optimizing resource allocation for R&D activities
• Models and approaches to resource allocation given lengthy development timelines and high failure rates

TABLE 2: Achieving More Effective and Real-Time Portfolio Management and Resource Allocation
Moderator: Chami Karandana Evans, Executive Director, Portfolio Management & Operational Effectiveness, Insmed
Leslie Lippard, Senior Director, Portfolio Analytics, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals

• Definition of real-time portfolio management and resource allocation
• Have you achieved this at your company and if so, what are some of the obstacles you have faced?
• What are some approaches you have tried to overcome challenges?

TABLE 3: Best Practices in Setting (and Sticking to) Critical Success Factors for Your Portfolio Projects
Moderator: Michael Myers, PhD, Associate Vice President, LRL Project Management – Due Diligence, Eli Lilly and Company

• Defining specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) CSFs
• Tracking and monitoring CSF and KPIs

Tuesday, November 7, 2:55 – 3:55

TABLE 4: Influencing, Initiating and Executing Organizational Change Management 
Moderator: Richard Bayney, PhD, President & Founder, Project & Portfolio Value Creation

• How do you gain support by getting to the source of the organizations pain (e.g., too many projects / not enough people)?
• Strategies to navigate saying “no” or “not now” to all of the great ideas and proposed projects
• Differences between project management and change management, and how do you integrate them to deliver positive outcomes to the organization

TABLE 5: Leveraging Technology and Data Analytics for Resource Management in Pharma R&D
Moderators: Joseph Stalder, Executive Director, Program Management, Mirati Therapeutics
Christopher O'Donovan, Director, Resource Management, Bristol Myers Squibb

• Specific areas where advanced data analytics techniques can provide valuable insights and enable informed decision-making
• Barriers to technology adoption, and strategies for overcoming them
• Discuss the evolving role of AI in data analytics and visualization

TABLE 6: Managing Risks and Uncertainties in Resource and Capacity Management in Pharma R&D
Moderator: Katie Donovan, Senior Manager, Operations Product Advancement, Amgen

• Leveraging data analytics and technology for risk assessment and informed decision-making
• Strategies to foster agility and flexibility in resource and capacity management to accommodate unexpected events and market shifts
• Lessons from managing through the pandamic