Pharma PR & Communications Summit West 2024: Full Schedule

8:00am PDT

Networking Breakfast

Wednesday May 15, 2024 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Ballroom Terrace Balboa Bay Resort | 1221 West Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663

Networking

8:45am PDT

Welcome and Day 2 Opening Remarks

Speakers

Michelle Benz

Conference Production Director, Fierce Pharma

Michelle Benz joined Questex, Fierce Life Sciences in 2021 as a senior conference producer and works on several events annually including Fierce Biotech Summit, Fierce Leaders in Life Sciences, Fierce Pharma PR & Communications Summits East and West, Fierce Pharma Meeting Professionals... Read More →

Wendy Lund

Chief Client Officer, HEALTH@WPP

Wendy rejoined WPP in a newly created role to ensure strong, global, WPP-level support for clients around the world and further differentiate, diversity, and expand WPP’s footprint in the transforming health sector. With ongoing transformation in the healthcare sector, her goal... Read More →

Wednesday May 15, 2024 8:45am - 9:00am PDT
Grand Ballroom (A) Balboa Bay Resort | 1221 West Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663

9:00am PDT

Day 2 Keynote: From Tokenism to Transformation: Realizing True DEI Commitment

Engage in a thought-provoking session that goes beyond performative gestures and explores the authentic commitment needed for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in organizations. Discover strategies to initiate meaningful change even before launching a product, emphasizing the importance of genuine commitment over tokenism. Gain insights into practical steps, learn from real-life examples, and explore the evolving role of DEI in shaping the future of organizations. Don't miss the opportunity to contribute to a shared way of working that integrates DEI values into the fabric of business objectives and organizational culture.

Explore how businesses can pivot to embed DEI throughout the organization, making it a shared way of working rather than a standalone initiative and ways to integrate DEI values into daily operations, making it an inherent part of the organizational culture
Emphasize the need for enterprise-wide ownership and accountability in achieving successful DEI outcomes
Discuss how leadership and employees at all levels can contribute to a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion

Speakers

Karen Boykin-Towns

Vice Chair NAACP National Board of Directors, Senior Advisor, FGS and

Karen Boykin-Towns is an accomplished strategic communications executive and advisor with deep experience working in complex business and government environments across a range of issues including public affairs, education, healthcare, diversity, equity and inclusion, crises and environmental... Read More →

Wednesday May 15, 2024 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Grand Ballroom (A) Balboa Bay Resort | 1221 West Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663

9:45am PDT

Power and Risks of Advocacy and Political Action in the Biopharma Industry

Examine the major advocacy issues currently impacting the biopharma community and how they will shape the industry's future trajectory
Consider strategies for agencies and internal communications teams to effectively support advocacy and communications outreach initiatives within their organizations
Delve into the balance between advocacy and potential risks, addressing questions such as "How much advocacy is too much?" and "Are DEI goals considered political?"
Outline the evolving landscape of advocacy skills and how professionals can build advocacy as a skill set, unlocking new opportunities and career paths within the industry

Speakers

Sabrina Martucci Johnson

President and CEO, Daré Bioscience, Inc.

Sabrina Martucci Johnson is a life sciences executive committed to advancing innovation in women’s health. She is the Founder and CEO of DARÉ Bioscience (NASDAQ:DARE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company driven by a mission to identify, develop and bring to market a diverse... Read More →

Elizabeth Jeffords

CEO & President, Iolyx Therapeutics

Elizabeth Jeffords, President & CEO of Iolyx Therapeutics, is a team-focused executive and director with cross-lifecycle expertise including company formation & fundraising, clinical development, commercial launches, a >$9B+ global P&L, and M&A. She has launched more than a dozen... Read More →

Wednesday May 15, 2024 9:45am - 10:15am PDT
Grand Ballroom (A) Balboa Bay Resort | 1221 West Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663

10:15am PDT

Networking Break

Wednesday May 15, 2024 10:15am - 10:45am PDT
Ballroom Terrace Balboa Bay Resort | 1221 West Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663

Networking

10:45am PDT

Panel: From Branding to Results: Crafting a Comprehensive Clinical Trial Communication Plan

Whether you represent a nimble biotech or a larger biopharma, this session provides fresh ideas and inspiration to elevate your organization's R&D initiatives through effective communication strategies around clinical trials. Hear from leaders as they share practical advice on leading the planning and execution of high-value communication strategies throughout the clinical trial journey – from branding and patient advocacy to timeline management and scenario outcomes.

Tackle the complexities of clinical trial timelines and discover how to align your organization around consistent messages, ensuring clarity from trial initiation to result preparation
Establish the integral role of patient advocates and learn effective strategies to engage these advocates, building awareness, enhancing enrollment, and managing expectations in areas of severe medical needs
Illustrate the importance of branding clinical trials and learn how to partner with internal stakeholders to develop new approaches and roll out a trial name. See how branding a clinical trial with a memorable name can help increase engagement across stakeholders

Moderators

Ami Celeste Knoefler

Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, Adagene

Speakers

Synim Neona Rivers, MPH

Senior Director, R&D Communications, Amgen, Inc.

Synim N. Rivers currently serves as senior director, R&D communications at Amgen, Inc. where she is the corporate affairs lead for communications strategy and activities for the company’s R&D pipeline. She previously held this role at Horizon Therapeutics (acquired by Amgen, Inc... Read More →

Jessica Smith

Senior Director, Early Pipeline Communications, Gilead Sciences

Jessica is a strategic and seasoned communications leader who has dedicated her career to health, medical, and science communities.Currently, she is the Senior Director, Early Pipeline Communications at Gilead Sciences. In this role, she is accountable for establishing and executing... Read More →

Erin Murphy

Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Mirum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Erin Murphy currently serves as Executive Director and Head of Global Corporate Affairs at Mirum Pharmaceuticals, a rare disease company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. In this role, she oversees the global communications programs as well as patient advocacy. Erin cut her teeth... Read More →

Wednesday May 15, 2024 10:45am - 11:30am PDT
Grand Ballroom (A) Balboa Bay Resort | 1221 West Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663

QTAG featuredsessionv2

11:30am PDT

Panel: Navigating Financial Communications and Investor Relations

Review the unique landscape of financial communications in the sector and understand the critical role of investor relations in shaping external perceptions
Explore strategies for aligning financial messages with the company's broader narrative and goals learn to articulate financial information in a clear, concise, and compelling manner
Outline the regulatory requirements governing financial communications in the pharmaceutical industry and establish best practices for transparent and compliant disclosures
Discover strategies for engaging with diverse stakeholders, including investors, analysts, and financial media and understand the nuances of tailoring financial communications for different audience segments
Gain insights into best practices for presenting financial results and making announcements and how to maintain effective investor relations during periods of market uncertainty the challenges of balancing transparency with strategic communication
Delve into key performance indicators (KPIs) for measuring the impact of financial communications and how to gauge and shape investor perceptions over time

Moderators

Lynnea Olivarez

Founder & Community Manager, Ticket to Biotech

Lynnea Olivarez is a savvy life science communicator with experience spanning industry, agency and government. She recently founded the global biopharma communicator community Ticket to Biotech (T2B) after 15 years driving impactful communications across the drug development lifecycle... Read More →

Speakers

Tyler Marciniak, MSc, MBA

VP of Investor Relations, Corporate Communications & Advocacy, ACELYRIN, INC

Over a biopharma career spanning more than 20 years and multiple continents, Tyler has developed a strong track record of establishing and leading high performing teams in investor relations, corporate communications and stakeholder engagement, including patient advocacy and industry/government... Read More →

Eamonn Nolan

Senior Director, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, MorphoSys

Eamonn is a strategic communications and investor relations leader with extensive experience across the pharmaceutical, biotech and healthcare non-profit sectors. He specializes in advising C-Suite leadership, building corporate reputation, promoting a company’s value proposition... Read More →

Greg Mann

Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Investor Relations, Nkarta

Greg Mann oversees and supports Nkarta’s corporate strategy and leads the corporate affairs function with a focus on engaging Nkarta’s stakeholders across patient and caregiver communities, clinical investigators, media, and investors. Greg has worked for more than 25 years in... Read More →

Michael Levey

Director, Global Media Relations, Merck

Michael is a corporate communications leader with more than two decades of in-house and agency experience in the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries. He has a proven track record in leading integrated communications plans and media engagement strategies that drive measurable... Read More →

Wednesday May 15, 2024 11:30am - 12:15pm PDT
Grand Ballroom (A) Balboa Bay Resort | 1221 West Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663

QTAG featuredsessionv2

12:15pm PDT

Networking Lunch

Wednesday May 15, 2024 12:15pm - 12:15pm PDT
Ballroom Terrace Balboa Bay Resort | 1221 West Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663

Networking

1:15pm PDT

Case Study: Mastering Pharmaceutical Product Communications

This session offers a comprehensive overview of pharmaceutical product communications, providing PR & Communications leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complexities of managing branded communications in the pharmaceutical industry. Leaders will gain insights into crafting compliant and transparent messages, understanding the stringent regulatory landscape, and tailoring communication strategies for diverse stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, patients, and regulatory bodies. Don't miss this opportunity to grasp the unique dynamics of pharmaceutical product communications and equip yourself with the strategies needed to effectively navigate this specialized field.

Speakers

Deb Kazenelson Deane, MSPH

Executive Director, Corporate Communications, Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Deb Kazenelson is the Executive Director, Corporate Communications Lead at Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading neuroscience company developing and commercializing therapies to address unmet need in neuropsychiatric disorders. She has more than 25 years of experience working with... Read More →

Wednesday May 15, 2024 1:15pm - 1:45pm PDT
Grand Ballroom (A) Balboa Bay Resort | 1221 West Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663

1:45pm PDT

Panel: Engage to Excel: Crafting a Culture of Excellence in PR & Communications

In an era where a people-first culture is paramount, discover how to create a workplace that prioritizes the well-being and satisfaction of your team. Join us for this comprehensive session where industry leaders will share their experiences, insights, and practical tips on elevating employee engagement in the dynamic world of PR & Communications. Don't miss the opportunity to equip yourself with the knowledge and strategies needed to lead your team towards success.

Explore the latest trends and strategies in fostering employee engagement in a fragmented work environment and understand how fostering a people-first culture can enhance collaboration, productivity, and overall job satisfaction
Evaluate innovative benefits, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave, mental health days, initiatives to address burnout, support for student loan payments, and flexible working arrangements, designed to attract top talent, reduce turnover, and foster employee happiness
Examine innovative approaches to employee recognition that go beyond traditional methods, fostering a positive and motivated work environment
Consider the necessity of upskilling and re-skilling employees to meet the evolving needs of the business and hear about successful programs and initiatives designed to prepare your team, ensuring they remain at the forefront of industry developments

Moderators

Michelle Benz

Conference Production Director, Fierce Pharma

Speakers

James R Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP

Chief Strategy Officer, Tulane University, School of Medicine

James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP returned to Tulane in 2015 after establishing the open science functions for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus, one of the most innovative experiments in scientific research. His career also includes functioning as a chemist... Read More →

Janet Graesser

Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, Vaxcyte, Inc.

Janet brings over 20 years of healthcare communications experience across a variety of areas, including corporate communications and strategy, public relations and organizational communications. Prior to joining Vaxcyte, she established her own consulting practice that successfully... Read More →

Myesha Lacy

Chief Investor and Communications Officer, Arcellx

Deb Kazenelson Deane, MSPH

Executive Director, Corporate Communications, Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Wednesday May 15, 2024 1:45pm - 2:30pm PDT
Grand Ballroom (A) Balboa Bay Resort | 1221 West Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663

2:30pm PDT

Closing Remarks

Speakers

Wendy Lund

Chief Client Officer, HEALTH@WPP

Wednesday May 15, 2024 2:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand Ballroom (A) Balboa Bay Resort | 1221 West Coast Hwy Newport Beach, CA 92663

3:00pm PDT

End of Conference

Wednesday May 15, 2024 3:00pm - 3:00pm PDT