As one of the largest conferences in the life sciences industry, DIA Europe is a must-attend event for both big and small pharma, academia, and healthtech. With a strong focus on regulatory policy, real-world evidence generation, and technological innovation, DIA’s agenda offers highly engaging and relevant sessions for its diverse audience.
To help you make the most of your time, I’ve selected five must-see sessions that anyone involved in RWE, market access, research, or digital innovation should add to their agenda.
1. AI in Medicines Development: Accelerating Innovation (Part 2)
When: March 18, 15:10 – 16:20
Speakers: Alison Bond (Amgen), Michail Doulis (AstraZeneca), Sam Laermans (NNIT), Ana Padua (Merck Group), Nicolas Loeffler-Perez (Swissmedic), Luis Pinheiro (European Medicines Agency)
This session will explore the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in the drug development lifecycle. From identifying unmet needs to post-marketing surveillance, AI holds immense potential while also raising critical questions, particularly regarding regulatory complexities.
Why it matters: While the theoretical applications of AI in drug development are well-known, for many challenges remain in implementation. Life sciences companies looking to automate or accelerate drug development with AI must navigate ethical concerns, including bias in AI models, patient autonomy, and informed consent. Additionally, AI adoption introduces data privacy, security, and compliance challenges, underscoring the importance of working with trustworthy, fully compliant technology partners.
2. Evidence Generation – A Look Into The Past And Future
When: March 19, 10:30 – 11:40
Speakers: Karl Broich (BfArM), Sara Escola (PTC Therapeutics), Francesca Frau (Sanofi), Patrice Verpillat (European Medicines Agency), Gracy Crane (Roche), Muriel Pasté (UCB Biopharma SRL), François Houyez (EURORDIS), Nafsika Kronidou (Roche)
A promising session that addresses the question how real-world data shapes the future of evidence generation in healthcare. By examining the evolution of data-driven decision-making and RWD’s role in enhancing the accuracy and precision of outcome studies, attendees will be presented “case studies that illustrate the transition from theoretical discussions to real-world applications.”
Why it matters: Leveraging RWD for evidence generation is no longer optional, it’s essential. However, accessing the right data remains a challenge. Many datasets and registries are static, losing relevance over time, while data gaps or inaccurate study populations result in long research timelines, inefficiencies, and high overhead. The solution isn’t “just” RWD, it’s high-quality, live, and dynamic real-world data that evolves to stay relevant, even within an ever-changing regulatory landscape.
3. AI in Action: Showcasing Real-World Solutions
When: March 19, 16:50 – 18:00
Speakers: Catarina Carrao (BioSciPons), Anna Litsiou (AstraZeneca), Remco Munnik (IRISS Forum), Cecile Ollivier (Critical Path Institute), Robin Sarfati (Tekkare), Gracy Crane (Roche), Estelle Michael (UCB)
An absolute must-attend is this interactive and highly-relevant session on the transformative power of AI through real-world case studies. During this session, speakers will take theoretical AI use cases and put them into practice by showcasing unique challenges and their AI-fueled solutions. More hands-on is nearly impossible. Plus, the session concludes with an interactive networking opportunity and a direct Q&A with the presenters – chapeau!
Why this matters: Too often the implementation of AI remains a theory. Regulatory or technical hurdles can be intimidating, but yet, the long-term benefits and value often outweigh the initial effort and investment. Experiencing AI-driven solutions firsthand provides invaluable insights, helping to dispel any lingering doubts about their practical impact.
4. Real World Data Access and Availability: Actions to Accelerate Answers in Pharmacovigilance
When: March 18, 15:10 – 16:20
Speakers: Marieke Schoonen (Amgen), Patrice Verpillat (European Medicines Agency), William Blumentals (Sanofi), Kendal Harrison (MHRA), James Whitehead (AstraZeneca)
This session delves into how RWD can directly enhance pharmacovigilance through stronger collaboration between industry, regulators, and academia. Speakers will discuss how improved access to RWD helps address safety concerns, the role of real-world evidence in setting new vigilance standards, and its application in post-marketing safety efforts.
Why it matters: This session clearly lays out the crucial need for faster and better access to real-word data. While this session focuses particularly on its impact on pharmacovigilance, real-world data access and availability also play a major role in earlier stages of the drug development process, starting with drug discovery and ongoing drug safety studies. Modern technology partners are streamlining RWD access, laying the foundation for more effective and impactful clinical research.
5. How dynamic, regulatory grade, AI-curated real-world data assets ensure long-term data validity, completeness, and comprehensive RWE generation.
When: March 18, 12:15 – 13:00
Speaker: Dr. Or Shaked (Briya)
This overview wouldn’t be complete without this spotlight session. The presentation will highlight AI’s role in shifting from static to dynamic, live datasets, transforming long-term research and evidence generation. Attendees will also explore three practical use cases demonstrating how Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing create the most complete, comprehensive, and revisitable datasets, setting a new standard for evidence generation.
Why it matters: Life sciences too often still rely on outdated, fragmented, and incomplete datasets that fail to accommodate fast developing clinical targets, such as biomarkers, or other relevant genetic information. Static datasets often turn obsolete, leading to additional overhead and financial investment that could be avoided with the right, AI-curated data that evolves along ongoing research.
The Secret to a Successful & Insightful DIA Europe
DIA Europe’s agenda is packed with a wealth of fascinating sessions covering highly relevant and timely topics. These five sessions offer valuable insights for professionals looking to navigate and lead in this ever-evolving industry through the effective and strategic use of real-world data. If you’re attending, be sure to add these discussions to your schedule – you won’t want to miss them!
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