Capital & Innovation workshop





Workshops

Monday, 12 October 2026 15:00 – 18:00

W1: Capital & Innovation at SCOPE Europe

As clinical research across Europe evolves, combining AI-powered decision tools, real-world data, decentralized frameworks, patient-focused engagement, and digital operational model, the demand for coordinated investment and cross-sector partnership continues to intensify. This workshop gathers venture investors, growth and corporate funds, biotech founders, CRO and site leaders, and clinical-operations executives to examine strategic investment areas, operational barriers, and new partnership pathways supporting next-generation clinical-trial operations and technologies throughout Europe. Through concentrated discussions, market analysis, and curated networking, attendees will identify priority opportunities for collaboration, evaluate commercial and scaling considerations, and explore partnership approaches that align investors, innovators, CROs, and biopharma stakeholders. *Separate registration required
WORKSHOP 1: Capital & Innovation at SCOPE Europe
Investing in the Next Generation of Clinical Trial Technology and Operations

Instructors:

Moe Alsumidaie, Chief Editor, Editorials, Clinical Trial Vanguard


Agenda will include:

  • Part I – Understanding the Funding Landscape
  • Part II – How to Raise Capital for Clinical Trial Innovation
  • Part III – Why Europe? The Opportunity for Clinical Trial Innovation

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES:

Photo of Christophe Lahorte, PhD, Head, Innovation Office & Scientific Regulatory Advice Unit, FAMHP (Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products)
Christophe Lahorte, PhD, Head, Innovation Office & Scientific Regulatory Advice Unit, FAMHP (Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products)
Christophe Lahorte, PhD, is Head of the Innovation Office and Head of the Scientific-Technical/Regulatory Advice & Knowledge Management Unit at the Belgian Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP). A pharmacist by training, he began his career conducting research at the University of Ghent on the development of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. Since joining FAMHP in 2004, Dr. Lahorte has played a key role in the assessment of clinical trial applications, paediatric investigation plans, and scientific advice procedures. He previously served on the European Medicines Agency’s Paediatric Committee Formulation Working Group and has contributed to GMP inspections and regulatory evaluations at both national and European levels. As Head of the Innovation Office since 2017, he focuses on accelerating and facilitating the development of innovative medicines and healthcare products, working closely with academic researchers, start-ups, SMEs, and established companies. He represents FAMHP within the EU Innovation Offices Network (EU-IN) and participates in several European working groups focused on emerging technologies, borderline products, and regulatory innovation. Dr. Lahorte has extensive experience in scientific and regulatory advice, particularly in early-stage development, and has contributed to numerous national and European research and educational initiatives in collaboration with international organizations and institutions.
Photo of Lawrence Tallon, CEO, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
Lawrence Tallon, CEO, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
Lawrence Tallon is the Chief Executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). He was previously Deputy Chief Executive at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, where he led the Trust’s approach to strategy, technology, innovation, and improvement. He has extensive experience across the healthcare sector in strategy and leadership roles, including within the Department of Health and Social Care alongside ministers and NHS leaders. Lawrence is committed to patient safety and healthcare innovation, as well as life sciences and risk-proportionate regulation.
Photo of Maria Koutsopoulou, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Development Operations, Merck KGaA
Maria Koutsopoulou, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Development Operations, Merck KGaA
Maria Koutsopoulou is heading Global Development Operations (GDO) within the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. In this role, Maria leads and manages all operations related to the conduct of Merck KGaA/EMD Serono clinical study portfolio – from Phase I to Phase IV studies, including investigator-sponsored studies (ISSs), in all therapeutic areas. Maria’s remit also includes bringing highly innovative, patient-centric operational designs and approaches to the development programs while overseeing operational and clinical data flow as well as utilizing technology and digital innovations to accelerate and simplify studies across the portfolio. Maria has more than 25 years of global clinical development experience in both the CRO and pharma industry, from early development to post-launch. She has a keen focus on accelerating drug development, elevating the R&D efficiency to the next level and she brings an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit to serve patients in need. In previous roles, she successfully led various clinical operations functions at the local, regional, and global levels.
Photo of Matthieu Ruffin, Vice President, Head Study Leadership, Novartis
Matthieu Ruffin, Vice President, Head Study Leadership, Novartis
Matthieu Ruffin is a seasoned professional with 20 years of experience in clinical operations within large and mid-size pharmaceutical companies. He has strong leadership skills, having led global study leadership and development operations. Matthieu has successfully driven clinical operations strategies and delivered on business goals across key therapeutic areas and various types of clinical trials, from early- to late-phase trials. Currently, Matthieu serves as the Vice President, Head Study Leadership at Novartis, where he leads the global Study Leadership organization to ensure timely and quality execution and delivery of global clinical trials across all Novartis Development programs. He is accountable for the Novartis Clinical Trial Team model, related tools, and operational excellence. Matthieu ensures cross-functional excellence in clinical trial execution and leads the biospecimen scientist organization responsible for the operational execution of clinical biospecimen samples. Previously, Matthieu held the position of Global Head Development Operations, at Advanced Accelerator Applications (AAA), a Novartis company, where he led the Development Operations organization focusing on RadioLigand Therapy (RLT). He was accountable for delivering clinical trials from early to late phases in the AAA portfolio and drove timely and efficient trial execution in collaboration with global medical affairs, legal, research, and regulatory affairs functions. Matthieu holds a Postgraduate Degree in Combinatorial Chemistry and Drug Design, and a Master of Science Degree in Analytical and Organic Chemistry from the University of Orléans in France.
Photo of Moe Alsumidaie, Chief Editor, Editorials, Clinical Trial Vanguard
Moe Alsumidaie, Chief Editor, Editorials, Clinical Trial Vanguard
Moe Alsumidaie, currently the Chief Editor at The Clinical Trial Vanguard, is dedicated to providing the clinical research community with the latest and most detailed information on clinical trials. His extensive experience includes leading roles in enhancing clinical trial processes through innovative technology and strategic management. As the Head of Research at CliniBiz, he has significantly improved the efficiency and affordability of clinical trials using automation and AI, and at Annex Clinical, Moe spearheads the development of advanced data integration and visualization solutions. His career also includes impactful tenures at Applied Clinical Trials Magazine as an Editorial Advisory Board Member, as a guest lecturer at Rutgers University, and at leading organizations such as Stanford, Mt. Sinai, Abbott, Roche and Genentech, where he has been instrumental in optimizing clinical operations and implementing novel procedures in clinical trials quality control.
Photo of Niklas Blomberg, PhD, Executive Director, Innovative Health Initiative (IHI)
Niklas Blomberg, PhD, Executive Director, Innovative Health Initiative (IHI)
Niklas BLOMBERG is the Executive Director of Innovative Health Initiative JU (IHI.europa.eu). Niklas joined IHI, the European public-private partnership for health research and innovation, in 2024. Prior to IHI, he spent 10 years as the founding Director of the European life science research data infrastructure ELIXIR (Cambridge, UK) and 14 years with AstraZeneca, leading teams across Sweden and the UK. Niklas is a Swedish national with undergraduate studies in biochemistry at the University of Gothenburg and a PhD in structural biology and bioinformatics from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Germany. In the IHI Public-Private partnership, Niklas enjoys the unique opportunity to bring together industry, academic, and civil society across the healthcare sector—from pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to medical technology and big data—and drive projects that address public health needs, improve patients' lives, and boost the competitiveness of Europe's health industries.
Photo of Stephen Scaldaferri, Head Vice President, Global Growth, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
Stephen Scaldaferri, Head Vice President, Global Growth, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
Stephen's focus and attention remains on unifying the Drug Development process to create a more efficient and streamlined process. Thermo Fisher is the only company providing this significant value add to customers for a true end to end solution. The CDMO & CRO integration is a challenging one and Thermo Fisher is poised as the first and only company to have this offering to deliver ROI to Biotech & BioPharma. Stephen is also leading the Commercial efforts and engagements with VCs globally to bring valuable solutions to their investments with creative financial solutions and opportunity to accelerate the drug development process.
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Who Should Attend

INVESTMENT FIRMS:
Venture Capitalists
Angel Investors
Private Equity Firms
Investment Banks
Senior Investors (Managing Partners/Directors & General Partners)
Investors (Partners, Investors & Principals)
Private Marketing Investing
Portfolio Advisors (Venture & Operating Partners)

CORPORATIONS:
National Government Agencies
Hospitals (Venture & Innovation)
Large Pharma (Clinical, Venture & Innovation)
Small and Mid-Size Biopharma C-Suite Executives
Business Development Heads (SVPs, VPs & Directors)
Innovation & Strategy Managers (SVPs, VPs & Directors)
Corporate Venture Leaders (Managing Directors, Partners & Directors)

START-UPS and GROWTH COMPANIES:
Emerging Company Leaders from Biotech, Digital/AI Health Innovation
Founders & CEOs
C-Suite Executives (CFOs, CSOs, CIOs, CTOs, etc.)
Innovation & Strategy Managers (SVPs, VPs & Directors)

Attendee Demographics

Following the tremendous success of our U.S.-based Clinical Trial Venture, Innovation & Partnering Conference, part of the long-running SCOPE Summit, we are excited to bring this highly regarded program to Europe.

This expansion reflects strong demand from investors, pharma leaders, and innovators for a dedicated forum focused on clinical trial investment, innovation, and strategic partnerships. Building on the proven U.S. model, the European edition will deliver the same high-impact, executive-level experience: connecting key stakeholders, surfacing breakthrough opportunities, and driving the future of clinical research across global markets.

Micah Lieberman
Executive Director, SCOPE
mlieberman@healthtech.com