This event marks the first time since 2019 that the association has convened global industry, regulators, academics, and patients together face-to-face with a goal of exploring and discussing some of the life science industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.
DIA’s Global Annual Meeting 2022 includes over 150 sessions across 13 educational tracks, covering topics such as FDA regulations with insights from FDA officials, navigating global crises, patient-focused drug development, DE&I, real-world data collection and utilization, and more. These sessions, led by global and regional experts from some of the top life science organizations and associations, seek to inspire a worldwide discussion from multidisciplinary perspectives across pharma, regulatory agencies, patients, academia and beyond.
Around 3,400 participants from more than 20 countries are expected to attend.
“In the last several years, the life science industry has been front-and-center facing global crises - from the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic to the crisis in Ukraine. Organizations across the globe have had to adapt, quickly, and as a result our industry will never be the same,” said Barbara Lopez Kunz, President and Global Chief Executive of DIA.
What to look out for at DIA 2022
- The Future of Healthcare: Opening plenary session will feature the multi-perspective importance of accessibility to inclusive and patient-centric treatments, and forward-looking discussion on the future of healthcare. This year’s format will be presented as a series of perspectives representing the diversity of thinking, topic, and geography in a Ted Talk-like format covering hot topics.
- “As we emerge from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the importance of inspiration and seeing a future where all people have access to lifesaving interventions has never been greater, and DIA aims to highlight some of the most forward-looking and positive views of what the future of healthcare will be.”
- FDA Town Hall: Offers direct exchange and dialogue with FDA leaders to inspire innovative solutions to 2022’s life sciences challenges.
- Asia and China Town Halls: Explore the future of clinical trials and drug development in these regions, as well as the latest efforts for regulatory convergence.
- The Honorary Co-Chairs for this year’s 2022 GAM are Dr. Robert Califf, MD, FDA Commissioner, and Dr. Stephanie Crawford, PhD, MPH, Executive Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs & Strategic Initiatives and Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes, and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy.
So what does that mean moving forward?
“The impact of these crises has caused global healthcare leaders to look inward to address vulnerabilities, prioritize diversity, inclusion and health equity, reevaluate real-world evidence and make patient-focused drug development an imperative,” explains Courtney Granville, Global Associate Director, Research and Scientific Programs at DIA.
“Using DIA’s neutral stage for regulators and researchers to address healthcare challenges, clinical researchers at the DIA Global Annual Meeting learn first-hand from FDA officials about key guidance on rare diseases, quality assurance, PDUFA VII, real-world evidence, DEI and more. They learn from leaders at DIA’s China, Health Canada and PMDA Town Halls on global regulatory viewpoints - an area of increasing importance with calls for regulatory harmonization in the face of an ever-changing global landscape.”
A celebration of pharma success
Returning to an in-person event represents a celebration of the industry, with peers able to come together in person to mark everything achieved over the last two years, says Granville. With the exception of a few speakers who have to present remotely, there is no ‘hybrid’ element – everything will be live and in person.
“The biggest, most obvious advantage is networking, but, perhaps more important, is the creative thinking and problem solving that occurs when people can discuss and debate challenges, brainstorm innovations, and share openly best practices. This is so much more natural and robust in person.
“To facilitate networking and discussion, the live event will feature more innovation theaters, more round table discussions and a packed exhibition hall.”