AUTOMA+ 2026 Programme Update: New Sessions, Speakers and Practical Pharma Digitalisation Cases
The AUTOMA+ 2026 programme continues to expand as new sessions, speakers, partners and sponsors strengthen the agenda. Taking place on 16-17 November 2026 in Zürich, Switzerland, the Pharmaceutical Automation and Digitalisation Congress will focus on the end-to-end digitalisation of pharma operations, including R&D and manufacturing, packaging, supply chain, compliance and digital health.
Practical Sessions Across the Pharma Value Chain
The AUTOMA+ 2026 business programme already includes 11 sessions. The agenda moves across the pharma value chain, from AI adoption and digital manufacturing to logistics, packaging, labelling and executive-level decision-making.
Among the key sessions shaping the programme:
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AI: Exploring New Frontiers, Facing New Challenges – the Executive Opening Panel focusing on how AI is entering pharma operations, with discussions around human-AI collaboration, AI-powered digital innovation and Generative AI opportunities and risks.
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Leaders Talk “The Digital Factory” – taking a practical look at the technologies transforming pharma production, including AI, data quality, predictive maintenance, green manufacturing, ESG metrics, robotics, automation and digital twins for next-generation manufacturing.
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Smart Supply Chains: Transformation of Pharma Logistics – a session dedicated to connected and more resilient pharma logistics, covering IoT, cloud technologies, real-time monitoring, predictive logistics, blockchain for transparency and traceability, greener logistics and cold-chain efficiency.
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Executive Roundtable “Digital Packaging and Labelling” – a focused discussion on the future of pharma packaging, including patient-centric packaging formats, smart labelling, automated lines, e-labelling, anti-counterfeiting, green packaging practices and sustainable solutions.
The programme shows that AUTOMA+ 2026 is not built around abstract digitalisation trends. It focuses on the practical processes that define pharma performance today: how companies use data, automate production, monitor supply chains, strengthen compliance and bring smarter technologies into day-to-day operations.
The strength of these sessions comes not only from the topics themselves, but also from the companies and experts already confirmed in the programme.
Explore the full business programme
New Speakers and Stronger Industry Expertise
As the agenda develops, AUTOMA+ 2026 is also gaining depth through its speaker line-up. More than 35 speakers have already joined the Congress, bringing expertise from pharma majors, biotech, manufacturing, medical affairs, patient safety, supply chain, automation and technology providers.
This makes the programme more relevant for teams looking at how digital transformation works inside regulated pharma environments – through real projects, current challenges and implementation experience across the industry.
Among the confirmed speakers are:
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Guillaume Carbonneau, VP Operational Data Insights at Novo Nordisk – Driving Actionable Insights in Development with a Clinical Ontology, Digital Twins and AI Agents
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Yolanda Cabrera-Sybesma, CEO at CiNTL Pharma B.V. – Transforming with Purpose: Making Digitalisation Deliver Measurable Pharma
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Michelle Bridenbaker, VP of Medical Excellence & Communications at Recordati – Evolution of AI in Healthcare and Medical Affairs
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Joachim Bär, Director DevOps CellCulture at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co.KG – Workshop “Digital Plant Modelling at Boehringer Ingelheim: Empowering Production, Innovation and Sustainability”
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Juan Gemmato, Omnichannel Digital Execution Lead at Eli Lilly – Adapting Global Omnichannel Marketing Strategies for Highly Regulated Pharmaceutical Markets: A UK Case Study
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Niels Schlusser, Scientific Application Developer at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine – Open_nipals, an Open-Source Package for Multivariate Modelling for Real-Time Batch Release
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Mario Esser, Global Patient Safety & PV Governance Manager at Sanofi – AI-Powered Social Media Monitoring Project
The speaker line-up connects strategic AI adoption, measurable transformation, digital plant modelling, real-time batch release, omnichannel execution, patient safety monitoring and other important topics giving participants access to practical viewpoints from companies already working through digital change in regulated pharma environments.
Request the full list of confirmed speakers
More Partners, More Networking, More Business Value
A stronger programme also changes the quality of conversations around it. As partners and sponsors join AUTOMA+ 2026, the Congress becomes more than a place to follow the latest pharma automation and digitalisation topics. It becomes an event where companies can discuss technology adoption, digital manufacturing projects, supply chain challenges, compliance needs and potential partnerships directly with the right people.
The latest partner line-up reflects this growing industry value. Bachem and GSK have joined AUTOMA+ 2026 as Partners, bringing perspectives from pharma manufacturing, supply chain strategy and operational transformation. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co.KG joins as the Technology Partner, adding further depth to the discussion around digital plant modelling, production innovation and sustainable manufacturing. SCARLETRED Holding GmbH joins as the Platinum Sponsor, strengthening the programme with expertise in digital health, dermatology technology and AI-supported solutions.
AUTOMA+ is designed as a B2B networking event where pharma companies, technology & solution providers and digital transformation experts can move from presentation topics to direct business dialogue, so the participants line-up shapes the quality of conversations beyond the stage.
With 20+ hours of networking, pharma leaders have space to compare approaches, discuss real implementation challenges and explore cooperation beyond the session halls. As the programme grows, so does the opportunity to meet companies working on the same questions from different sides of the pharma value chain.
Why Early Registration Matters for AUTOMA+ 2026
As new sessions, speakers, partners and sponsors continue to strengthen the agenda, early participation becomes increasingly important. Industry interest is growing around the practical questions pharma companies are now facing: how to scale digital transformation, how to make automation measurable, how to connect data with operations, and how to keep innovation aligned with compliance.
For companies planning to join the Congress, timing matters. As participation formats are limited, early registration gives teams more room to choose the right format, explore the full programme, discuss business goals, plan relevant meetings and secure stronger visibility within the Congress environment.
FAQ
What is AUTOMA+ 2026?
AUTOMA+ 2026 is the Pharmaceutical Automation and Digitalisation Congress, bringing together senior decision-makers and specialists from pharmaceutical manufacturers, CMOs, CDMOs, equipment suppliers and technology providers to address the practical challenges of automation, digitalisation and manufacturing excellence in pharma. The programme covers MES, SCADA, LIMS, AI in manufacturing, GMP compliance, quality systems and digital infrastructure for regulated environments.
When and where does AUTOMA+ 2026 take place?
AUTOMA+ 2026 takes place on 16-17 November 2026 in Zurich, Switzerland, across two days of sessions, roundtables, an exhibition and structured B2B meetings with participants from the pharmaceutical value chain.
Who attends AUTOMA+ 2026?
AUTOMA+ 2026 is attended by C-level executives, heads of automation, digitalisation leads, manufacturing directors, quality and engineering specialists from pharmaceutical operators, CMOs and CDMOs, alongside equipment manufacturers, system integrators and technology providers serving the regulated pharma environment. The congress operates on a closed-door model to ensure a focused professional environment of end-users, licensors and solution providers.
How do companies participate in AUTOMA+ 2026?
Companies participate in AUTOMA+ 2026 as delegates, sponsors, exhibitors or speakers. Participation details are available on request.
What topics does the AUTOMA+ 2026 business programme cover?
The AUTOMA+ 2026 business programme covers end-to-end pharma digitalisation across 11 sessions, including AI adoption in pharma operations, digital factory transformation, smart supply chains and logistics, digital packaging and labelling, predictive maintenance, robotics, digital twins, real-time batch release, omnichannel execution in regulated markets and AI-powered patient safety monitoring. Sessions are built around implementation experience from pharma majors, biotech and technology providers already working through digital change in regulated environments.
Who is speaking at AUTOMA+ 2026?
AUTOMA+ 2026 has more than 35 confirmed speakers from across the pharmaceutical value chain, including Guillaume Carbonneau (VP Operational Data Insights, Novo Nordisk), Joachim Bär (Director DevOps CellCulture, Boehringer Ingelheim), Michelle Bridenbaker (VP Medical Excellence, Recordati), Niels Schlusser (Scientific Application Developer, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine), Mario Esser (Global Patient Safety & PV Governance Manager, Sanofi) and Juan Gemmato (Omnichannel Digital Execution Lead, Eli Lilly). The line-up connects practical topics - digital plant modelling, real-time batch release, AI in medical affairs and omnichannel strategy - with implementation experience from companies operating in regulated pharma environments.