Agenda for Day 2 - Wednesday 18 November, 2026Wednesday, 18 November 2026 - Europe/London

Cutting through the noise around AI to focus on where it is delivering tangible value in FP&A today, including its application across forecasting, planning, variance analysis, and reporting processes, while addressing the operational, governance, and risk considerations required to responsibly scale adoption and translate experimentation into business-critical capabilities

• Identify high-impact AI use cases across forecasting, scenario planning, variance analysis, and reporting QA that drive measurable improvements in speed, accuracy, and insight generation

• Evaluate the risks, controls, and governance frameworks required to support responsible, compliant, and scalable AI adoption within FP&A functions

• Leverage AI to enhance data reliability, automate planning processes, and enable more predictive, forward-looking decision-making across financial planning and analysis

Engage in a candid discussion on the financial and operational challenges biotech companies face when things go wrong, from cash shortages and failed fundraising efforts to breakdowns in governance and deal execution, drawing on real-world experiences to identify root causes, uncover hidden risks, and translate setbacks into actionable strategies that strengthen resilience, improve oversight, and better prepare organizations for future uncertainty

• Identify early warning indicators of financial distress, liquidity pressure, and operational instability before they escalate

• Diagnose common breakdowns in fundraising, deal execution, and financial reporting to understand where and why failures occur

• Implement stronger controls, governance structures, and risk management practices informed by lessons learned from past challenges

Equip biotech organizations to successfully transition into their next phase of growth by aligning financial, operational, and reporting capabilities with capital market expectations, addressing the complexities of IPO readiness across global markets, managing IFRS implementation and cross-border reporting challenges, and building scalable finance infrastructures through ERP systems and shared services that support transparency, efficiency, and sustained investor confidence

• Compare IPO readiness requirements across global markets to align governance, reporting, and operational structures with investor and regulatory expectations

• Address IFRS implementation and cross-border reporting complexities to ensure consistency, accuracy, and compliance across jurisdictions

Build scalable finance operations through ERP, automation, and shared services to support growth, efficiency, and long-term capital markets success

Assess how organizations can build internal accounting readiness by aligning financial reporting infrastructure, controls, and governance frameworks with evolving regulatory expectations, while strengthening operational accounting practices and addressing the compliance, audit, and reporting requirements needed to support transparency, accuracy, and sustainable growth

• Align internal accounting infrastructure, controls, and governance frameworks to ensure accurate, consistent, and compliant financial reporting at each stage of organizational development

• Strengthen accounting practices to support effective revenue recognition, contract accounting, and operational transparency across increasingly complex business environments

• Implement robust compliance processes and audit-ready reporting standards to enhance accuracy, manage risk, and ensure adherence to evolving regulatory requirements

Examining how companies approach valuation in M&A transactions, with a focus on benchmarking deal structures, payment mechanisms, and transaction terms, while navigating the complexity of valuing pipelines, intellectual property, and future revenue potential alongside evolving expectations around ESG, R&D investment, and finance transformation

• Compare valuation approaches across deal structures, including earnouts, milestones, and equity considerations, while incorporating IPR&D treatment and R&D collaboration implications into transaction strategy

• Analyze key drivers of valuation, including pipeline assets, clinical and regulatory risk, competitive positioning, future cash flows, and royalty monetization structures

• Benchmark the influence of ESG priorities, R&D investment strategies, and finance transformation on valuation frameworks, diligence focus areas, and investor expectations

Exploring the growing use of research and development collaboration models, with a focus on the accounting complexities, structuring considerations, and broader business implications that influence financial reporting, deal design, and strategic decision-making

• Evaluate accounting considerations for research and development collaborations, including revenue recognition, gross‑to‑net (GTN) estimation, cost sharing, milestone payments, and the treatment of co-development and licensing arrangements

• Assess how deal structures such as joint ventures, profit-sharing, and risk-sharing agreements impact financial statements, key metrics, and investor perception

• Align accounting outcomes with business strategy by balancing financial reporting implications, operational flexibility, and long-term value creation in collaborative research and development model

Wrap up your time in Europe with a dynamic, fast‑paced panel of accounting leaders and industry experts. This interactive session will explore the most pressing topics shaping the profession today, including regulatory change, financial reporting, digital transformation, and data‑driven decision‑making. Bring your questions and engage directly with peers and experts for practical insights and forward‑looking perspectives as you close out the conference.