SAPA-GP Hosted the 2024 Annual Conference Highlighting the Innovating Biopharma Frontier

On March 9, 2024, SAPA-GP (https://sapagp.org/) hosted its 22nd Annual Conference at the Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel, northwest of Philadelphia. Sponsored by seventeen companies and attended by over 400 life scientists, pharmaceutical professionals, and business executives, the conference was one of the largest professional events in the greater Philadelphia area.

During this one-day event, sixty-one highly esteemed speakers from both biopharma industry and life science academic community gave more than forty presentations in six parallel tracks, as well as four panel discussions and one round table discussion. Topics tracked the latest innovating frontier in the biopharma industry, including advances in discovery and development of biotherapeutics, new technology to accelerate clinical development, AI and data science frontiers elevating pharmaceutical innovation, innovation in biologics drug product and manufacturing, thriving in a challenging business environment, career blueprint of drug development functions, as well as sponsored company showcases. Fangning Zhang, MBA, Partner at McKinsey & Company, delivered the conference opening keynote speech "Path towards Value Creation ? China Biopharma Innovation Trends". It was followed by Dr. Hua Xu, Robert T. McCluskey Professor, Vice Chair for Research and Development at Section of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science of Yale School of Medicine, who made an insightful analysis on the potential of generative AI in healthcare and life science.

In addition to a well-rounded agenda, the conference provided extensive networking opportunities, including lunch showcases, dinner receptions, interactive workshops, and round-table discussions. These interactions were intricately woven into the event's fabric, encouraging participants from various sectors of the industry to cultivate personal connections with one another. On the day prior to the main events, the conference also featured a well-attended afternoon workshop on generative AI and an executive summit reception during dinner time.

At the conference, SAPA-GP also announced the transition of leadership team, with Dr. Yufeng Li, Director, Clinical Scientist, Vivace Therapeutics, coming in as the new president. Dr. Lu Wang, Director, Process Development, Spark Therapeutics, was elected the president elect (2025-2026). Dr. Yang Yuan, outgoing president of SAPA-GP, presented leadership awards to a group of key volunteers to honor their contributions.

"Our conference has been very successful in capturing the latest trends foretelling the direction of biopharma industry. I'm proud of our volunteers in making our conference such a wonderful place to exchange new ideas and building new connections," said Dr. Yufeng Li, Director, Clinical Scientist, Vivace Therapeutics, and the current SAPA-GP president (2024-2025).

"This was the second fully in-person annual conference since the end of COVID 19 pandemic. It's clear that this conference has become a must-attend for those in the field," commented Dr. Yang Yuan, Associate Director, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and the outgoing president of SAPA-GP (2023-2024).

The 2024 SAPA-GP Annual Conference was a great gathering of life scientists, pharmaceutical experts, and business leaders from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and accomplishments. Moving forward, SAPA-GP is committed to furthering its mission and fostering advancements within the vibrant biopharma ecosystem of the greater Philadelphia area.

About SAPA-GP

Founded in 2002, SAPA-GP's mission is to promote pharmaceutical sciences and biotechnology, facilitate scientific and business cooperation, and foster the career development of pharmaceutical professionals. With over 4,000 members, each year SAPA-GP hosts many programs in science, technology, business, and career development. It exercises increasing influence in shaping favorable business environments in the Greater Philadelphia area.