Post-Budget Summit
2026 BPD Insights
The BPD Annual Conference returns in 2026 as BPD Insights, a premier forum for leaders shaping the future of biopharmaceutical and life sciences policy. Against a backdrop of global pressures, reform, potential transformation and accelerating advances in AI-driven medicine, the event aims to set the agenda.
18 May 2026
Sydney, Australia
The Ivy Ballroom
The half-day summit will discuss the implications of the Labor federal government's first Budget and the progress of other policy initiatives, including the National Medicines Policy and health technology assessment reviews.
About The Event.
Over one intensive day of keynotes, panels, and sharp policy debate, delegates will hear from decision-makers and executives, patients and other leaders. The conference will also examine the shifting political economy of medicines access, from PBS sustainability and global pricing volatility, patient-centred decision-making and the emergence of AI as an indispensable tool for both evaluation and delivery of care.
Designed for executives, clinicians, policy specialists and innovators, the 2026 BPD Annual Conference is an opportunity to be part of a discussion about mapping the challenges ahead, interrogating the assumptions underpinning our systems, and building the collaborative momentum required for genuine reform.
Join us as we bring clarity, challenge and ambition to some of the most critical health-policy discussions of the year.
+200
8
Participants
Sessions
Speakers
Speakers will be confirmed in the coming days, weeks and months
Program
9.00-10.00. The patient story – Annelies and Katrina
Lisa Robins, CEO, Patients Australia
Patient survey - what matters and what needs to be done
10.00-10.30. Owen Smith, General Manager, Bristol Myers Squibb, Australia and NZ
Keynote Address - ‘The missing piece for Australia’s life sciences sector’
10.30-11-00. Break and networking
11-00-11.45. Liz de Somer, CEO, Medicines Australia
Nikki Lorenz, CEO, Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association
The industry’s response to the 2026-27 Budget and what’s next
11.45-12.30. Bonnie Leibel, Cube PR
An analysis of how AI is impacting healthcare and patient decisions
12.30-1.30. Lunch and networking
1.30-2.15. Hayley Tamborini, CCO, Arrotex
Anthony Tassone, Vice President, Pharmacy Guild of Australia
Associate Professor Tom Simpson, President, Advance Pharmacy Australia
The real impact of supply and workforce shortages
2.15-2.45. Renae Beardmore, CEO, evohealth
Alison Crossweiler, Senior Director of Government Affairs and Policy, Johnson & Johnson
The HTA challenge
2.45-3.20. Jody Fassina, Managing Director, Insight Strategy
The post-Budget political landscape
3.20-3.50. Break and networking
3.50-4.30. Jessica Huf, Country Head Oncology - Haematology, Solid Tumours, Radioligand Therapies and Cell Therapies, Novartis
Angela Gerdeov, Senior Commercial Director, Immunology and Speciality, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine
David Manifold, Director, Immunology ANZ and Country Head, New Zealand, AbbVie
Commercial leaders on the market access challenge
4.30-5.30. Reception
Register.
Register for the 2026 BPD Conference