From February 26–28, 2025, we had the privilege of gathering with over 140 industry leaders, innovators, and experts at the tranquil Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa for SapioCon 2025. Over one and a half days—filled with insightful discussions, engaging keynotes, and valuable networking opportunities—we explored the evolving role of AI, with the implications for data management and security, in accelerating scientific breakthroughs.
A convergence of ideas and innovation
The event centered around four key themes:
- Artificial intelligence (AI): Exploring the transformative role of machine learning (ML) and agentic AI in life sciences.
- Security: Addressing the increasing need for robust compliance and protection of scientific data.
- Data preparation: Emphasizing the necessity of structured, high-quality data to maximize research efficiency.
- Sapio Platform updates: Showcasing the latest advancements, with a focus on the Molecular Biology Toolkit.
With an exceptional lineup of speakers, the conference highlighted the critical need for digital transformation and AI-driven strategies in pharma and biotech.
Keynotes: Industry leaders on AI, data, and digital transformation
Rob Brown, Global VP, Head of the Scientific Office Vice President, Product, opened with a thought-provoking keynote on the significance of agentic AI in pharma, citing Genentech’s “Lab in a Loop” initiative as a prime example. Other distinguished speakers included:
- Joanne Hackett, IQVIA: Advocated for a value-based approach to healthcare, underpinned by the integration of AI and digital health data, in the bigger schema of the role of the life sciences industry in Global Healthcare.
- Amrik Mahal, AstraZeneca: Emphasized the urgency of leveraging technology to shorten drug discovery timelines and support AstraZeneca’s mission of delivering 20 new medicines by 2030.
- Ben Schreiner, Amazon Web Services (AWS): Highlighted the enormous untapped potential of data in healthcare, with 97% of available data currently unused. He stressed the need for infrastructure that enables rapid computation and AI adoption to compress time in drug development.
- Shane Kamil, Olink Proteomics: Focused on the necessity of engaging users in digital transformation, particularly as companies scale rapidly.
- Rajesh Kumar, Schrödinger: Identified user compliance as one of the biggest hurdles in implementing digital solutions.
- Kevin Malabre, Oxford Biomedica: Discussed the need for informatics systems that balance flexibility for research and discovery with the rigidity required in quality assurance.
Key takeaways: Shaping the future of pharma and biotech
Across all keynotes and discussions, several critical insights emerged:
- Pharma and biotech organizations must establish a corporate AI strategy to accelerate product development.
- Scientists need a shift in mindset to drive adoption of digital solutions and AI-powered tools.
- The industry must think bigger about data management—harnessing available data effectively will enable better candidate selection for therapies and personalized treatment approaches.
- Data must be structured and high-quality to unlock its full potential in drug discovery and development.
- AI’s ability to compress time will be instrumental in speeding up research and bringing medicines to patients faster.
Standard solutions shorten time to market
Additionally, there was a strong consensus on the need for an informatics platform that provides:
- A standardized system across the organization that serves both scientists and IT teams seamlessly.
- Configurable workflows to adapt to evolving research needs.
- Independence from vendors for making changes or integrations without requiring external intervention due to the Sapio Platform being No-Code and flexible by easy API integrations.
- Rich analytics tailored for scientific data to extract deeper insights.
- Reusable components that enable expansion as organizations grow.
Beyond the sessions: Community and connection
SapioCon 2025 wasn’t just about knowledge-sharing—it was also about fostering connections. Attendees joined a sunrise 5 km run and an invigorating yoga session, while the Welcome Reception and an evening social event featuring the talented local band “None Other” provided the perfect setting for relaxed networking.
Looking ahead
SapioCon 2025 reinforced the urgency of embracing AI, digital transformation, and advanced data strategies in life sciences. As we move forward, the challenge is clear: organizations must take bold steps to integrate AI-driven solutions, optimize data usage, and cultivate a culture of digital innovation.
We’re excited to see how these insights translate into real-world impact. Until next year, let’s keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in pharma and biotech.
