Agenda for Day Two - Tuesday, March 23, 2027 - ET (Eastern Time, GMT-05:00)
- Stephen Rivera - Former Vice President, Global Technical Accounting Advisory Services & Policy, Johnson & Johnson
This session brings a high-level, big-picture perspective to the Congress, setting the tone for the days ahead with insights on the forces shaping the life sciences industry and the finance and accounting function within it.
CPE Credits Available: 1.0
This session brings a powerful patient perspective that goes beyond financial statements and business metrics. Our distinguished patient speaker will share personal insights, and a career spent studying patient experience, that reveal the profound human impact behind every investment decision and strategic choice in life sciences. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how corporate priorities and resource allocation directly affect the lives of patients who depend on medical innovation.
CPE Credits Available: 0.8
- David Craig, MBA - Cancer Survivor and Patient Experience Researcher; CEO, Gryt Health
This exclusive, closed-door Roundtable convenes senior financial executives from across the life sciences sector for an open, peer-driven dialogue on the most pressing challenges and emerging opportunities facing our industry. Within this confidential setting, participants will share candid insights on practical implementation of innovative financial strategies, navigating technology transformation, and strategic market positioning in an evolving competitive landscape.
*Must pre-register for this session when booking as spaces are limited. Attendees must be currently employed by a bio/pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturer.
CPE Credits Available: 1.8
- Stephen Rivera - Former Vice President, Global Technical Accounting Advisory Services & Policy, Johnson & Johnson
- Kevin MacKay - Vice President, Global Technical Accounting Advisory Services & Policy, Pfizer
- Master revenue recognition frameworks applicable across company stages, from first-product launches to complex multi-product portfolios, including advanced GTN methodologies, variable consideration assessments, and technical documentation requirements
- Work through increasingly complex collaboration agreements, licensing arrangements, and multi-element contracts using interactive exercises covering performance obligations, milestone accounting, and transaction price allocation challenges faced by both emerging and established companies
- Learn from detailed case studies spanning pre-launch accounting challenges, government pricing complexities, portfolio-level consolidation considerations, and cross-border IFRS and US GAAP alignment issues, with practical frameworks and technical memo guidance
- Participate in interactive polling and peer discussions to benchmark your revenue recognition challenges and identify tactical solutions from companies at similar stages
CPE Credits Available: 1.8
- Navigate the unique transaction accounting challenges facing small and emerging biotechs, from early-stage licensing deals to strategic collaborations that preserve equity while advancing your pipeline
- Master accounting for transactions where you are the licensor, research partner, or funding recipient, including upfront payments, milestone revenue recognition, and cost-sharing arrangements that differ fundamentally from acquirer accounting
- Understand how to structure and account for innovative financing mechanisms emerging in today's capital-constrained environment, including revenue-based financing, royalty monetization, and strategic partnerships that provide non-dilutive capital while maintaining accounting flexibility for future transactions
CPE Credits Available: 1.0
- Master accrual methodologies across all trial phases, from Phase I/II with accessible patient data to blinded Phase III trials with limited visibility
- Tackle the "investigator fee black hole" where billing lags extend 2-3 years and navigate international trial complexities including currency and insurer coverage patterns
- Build defensible assumptions and documentation frameworks that keep external auditors comfortable, with materiality considerations for small company balance sheets
CPE Credits Available: 1.0
- Navigate accounting treatment for rapidly evolving US healthcare reform including MFN pricing models, ACA modifications, and Medicaid/Medicare changes, with practical guidance on managing net price volatility and emerging disclosure requirements
- Master emerging rebate program accounting including Project Beacon's 340B rebate model for MFP drugs, covering calculation methodologies, reserve integration, and financial statement presentation
- Address IRA implementation challenges including Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program impacts, strategic portfolio decisions, and financial reporting requirements for investor communications
CPE Credits Available: 1.0
- Timothy Kocses - Executive Director, US Commercial Finance Controller, Bristol-Myers Squibb
- Master California's climate disclosure requirements (SB 253 and SB 261), including how they impact US-domiciled life sciences companies with California operations, and develop audit programs for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions reporting and verification processes
- Navigate European ESG regulations, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and learn strategies for integrating ESG metrics into financial reporting while managing country-level implementation requirements
- Build audit readiness and assurance frameworks to meet expanding ESG compliance demands, including practical guidance on data collection, internal controls, documentation, and preparing for external auditor scrutiny
CPE Credits Available: 1.0
- Anthony Berloco - Vice President, Controller, Genmab
- Master accounting for M&A, strategic partnerships, licensing arrangements, and innovative financing structures emerging in today's market
- Navigate key judgment areas, including investment classification, consolidation vs equity method decisions, and purchase price allocation for life sciences assets
- Explore real-world considerations around milestone payments, contingent consideration, R&D funding arrangements, and multi-element transactions
- Understand how anti-trust scrutiny, geopolitical factors, and funding constraints are driving new deal structures and related accounting complexities
CPE Credits Available: 1.0
- Sean Godbout - Chief Accounting Officer, Global Controller, Biogen
- Jess Montler - Executive Director, Technical Accounting, Bristol Myers Squibb
- Benchmark guardrails, approval processes, and decision-making frameworks for AI adoption, including the role of boards of directors and audit committees in AI governance and oversight
- Develop board and audit committee communication strategies that demonstrate AI value, including who should present initiatives (legal, controllership, IT, or other functions) and how to frame cost savings, efficiency gains, and productivity improvements across short-term and long-term contexts
- Implement oversight controls, quality assurance mechanisms for financial reporting, tool selection criteria, and best practices for managing organizational adoption and change across finance teams
CPE Credits Available: 1.0
- Heather Sullivan - Vice President II, Finance and Controller, Exelixis
- Jessica Kahl-Winter - Vice President - Global Audit & Assurance, Johnson & Johnson
This exclusive, industry-only session is limited strictly to financial leaders from small and emerging biotech companies, creating a protected, noncompetitive space for candid, unfiltered discussion about the unique challenges and opportunities of small and emerging companies.
This forum fosters authentic peer-to-peer exchange and collaborative problem-solving, giving participants a rare opportunity to share experiences, discuss sensitive topics, and develop practical solutions alongside peers who truly understand their specific constraints and pressures.
*Attendees must be currently employed by a bio/pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturer.
CPE Credits Available: 1.0
- Christian Alaia - Senior Director, Financial Planning & Analysis, Immuneering Corporation
- Paula George - Director, Assistant Controller, Immuneering Corporation
- Develop strategic frameworks for building your technology stack from ERP selection through close automation, with cost-benefit analyses for resource-constrained budgets
- Navigate team scaling challenges and apply decision frameworks for outsourcing versus in-house operations across tax, AP, payroll, and core accounting functions
- Prepare finance operations for commercial launch including revenue recognition, inventory accounting, GTN calculations, and SOX readiness while addressing competing priorities
CPE Credits Available: 1.0
- Stephen Sebastian - Executive Director, Corporate Controller, Immuneering Corporation
- Transform ERP implementation from technical upgrade to strategic business enabler that drives operational efficiency and supports cost-cutting initiatives
- Discuss real-world response strategies for system downtime, cyber attacks, and data loss incidents that impact financial close and audit timelines
- Navigate standardized enterprise systems while maintaining subsidiary autonomy across multi-entity structures and different maturity levels
CPE Credits Available: 1.0
This session offers university students and recent graduates a unique opportunity to engage directly with established leaders in life sciences accounting and finance. This interactive session bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world application, while also highlighting the importance of professional designations for long-term career sustainability. It offers invaluable insights for those preparing to enter this dynamic and rewarding field.
Topics include:
- Career path discussions
- Industry insights and trends
- Skill development guidance and professional designations
CPE Credits Available 1.0
- Stephen Rivera - Former Vice President, Global Technical Accounting Advisory Services & Policy, Johnson & Johnson
- Laura Klein - Director, Consolidations and Financial Reporting, Bristol Myers Squibb
- Explore how evolving technology and automation are fundamentally reshaping the skills, competencies, and career paths required for finance and accounting professionals in life sciences
- Discuss practical strategies for upskilling existing teams to work effectively with new tools and technologies while maintaining critical thinking and judgment capabilities
CPE Credits Available: 1.0
- Jeremy Lantz - Executive Director, Controller, Lilly USA, Eli Lilly and Company
This open forum allows for senior-level executives to exchange ideas and best practices for driving internal and organizational success through efficiencies, technology, and new innovations.
*Informa reserves the right to qualify participants for this Summit. Attendees must be Director/Head of/VP/C-Suite with 10+ years’ experience and currently employed by a life sciences manufacturer.
CPE Credits Available: 1.0
- Michael Clark - Corporate Controller, Executive Director, BeOne Medicines USA, Inc.
Join a dynamic gathering open to all professionals in life sciences finance, featuring women leaders in the field sharing their experiences on navigating career advancement and creating supportive professional networks in the industry.
CPE Credits Available: 1.0
- Erica Vandell-DeMarco, CPA - Managing Director, The Siegfried Group, LLP
- Jenni Humes - Chief Accounting Officer, Roivant
- Stephen Rivera - Former Vice President, Global Technical Accounting Advisory Services & Policy, Johnson & Johnson