Inside CPHI Americas 2026 Agenda

The conference program at CPHI Americas 2026, taking place in Philadelphia from June 2–4, addresses a wide range of challenges that are reshaping how drugs are developed, manufactured, and brought to market.1 The event is drawing senior leaders from across the pharmaceutical supply chain, including manufacturers, biotech companies, suppliers, and service providers. This year's agenda has been structured around themes of evolving regulatory frameworks, AI in drug discovery, supply chain resilience, and the future of biologics and advanced therapies.

On the regulatory side, sessions will examine shifts in US policy and approaches to risk-based decision making.1 A session titled "FDA in Flux: Navigating the New Regulatory Landscape" will feature Molly Klote, former director of the HHS Office for Human Research Protections, alongside Highlander Health co-founder Amy Abernethy. Patrick Day, Principal Consultant, Lachman Consultants, will lead a separate session on global risk management and risk-to-value transformation, which will focus on practical framing for development and regulatory affairs teams managing cross-border portfolios.

How Will CPHI Americas Cover Biotech Funding and Supply Chain Stability?

As investment in biologics continues to accelerate, sessions will explore what that means for funding strategies and the innovation pipeline.1 Murray Aitken, executive director, IQVIA Institute, will examine the evolving biotech innovation ecosystem. A panel featuring leaders from Likarda, BioLabs, Epivax, and Morgan Stanley will discuss the financing of breakthroughs in the sector. A dedicated session on cell and gene therapy will look at how this segment of the market is developing within the U.S. context.

Supply chain resilience remains a persistent topic of concern.1 Luiz Barberini will present on Bayer's approach to procurement and external manufacturing. Mayank Nagar, Dr. Reddy's, will lead a session on the future of strategic alliances in pharma.

Digitalization and cybersecurity also feature prominently.1 A session on ransomware, social engineering, and supply chain threats, featuring Derek Booth, supervisory special agent, US Secret Service, speaks directly to the vulnerabilities that pharmaceutical organizations face as they digitize operations and rely more heavily on interconnected systems. Emily Lewis, UCB, will lead a session on embedding AI across drug discovery.

A session on market strategy will address how contract manufacturing organizations can differentiate themselves and communicate their value more effectively, with speakers from Bandwidth Solutions, LGM Pharma, and Veranova.1

Sarah Griffin, event manager, CPHI Americas, noted in a press release,1 "CPHI Americas brings together leaders throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain to address the challenges shaping drug development and manufacturing." She added "this year's agenda focuses on the areas having the greatest impact on the sector, including regulatory shifts, AI and biologics, providing attendees with practical insight they can apply within their organizations."

The event is part of a global portfolio spanning 11 international events across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Asia.1

How Does CPHI Americas Compare with Its Global Counterparts?

The CPHI portfolio extends well beyond Philadelphia, as CPHI & PMEC China, held annually in Shanghai, draws more than 110,000 attendees and more than 3,600 local and international exhibitors, making it Asia's largest pharmaceutical event.2

The exhibition spans active pharmaceutical ingredients, natural extracts, machinery, laboratory instruments, packaging, biotech, and traditional Chinese medicine, a breadth that speaks to the country's dual strengths in heritage ingredients and advanced pharmaceutical development.2 The 2026 edition will feature expanded zones including traditional Chinese medicine pavilions and next-generation active pharmaceutical ingredient showcases.

As Orhan Caglayan, executive vice president of the Pharma Portfolio, Informa Markets, noted in a press release,2 "The growth of CPHI & PMEC China mirrors the extraordinary pace of innovation in China, solidifying its position as the ultimate destination for sourcing, supply chain optimization, and forging strategic partnerships."

The challenges discussed in Philadelphia are inseparable from the international dynamics that events like CPHI & PMEC China bring into sharp focus. CPHI is also putting on events in Italy and India in 2026.

References

1. Informa Markets. CPHI Americas 2026 to focus on regulatory shifts, AI and biotech innovation. Press release. Philadelphia, PA; April 16, 2026. https://www.cphi.com/americas/agenda/events/conference-agenda/
2. Informa Markets. The largest pharma show in Asia makes its return to Shanghai this June 2026. Press release. March 2, 2026. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-largest-pharma-show-in-asia-makes-its-return-to-shanghai-this-june-2026-302700982.html.