Patients as Partners in Clinical Research

12th Annual:
Demonstrating HOW Patient Involvement Gets Done to Drive Access, Inform Decision-Making and Accelerate Medicine Development

Patient involvement is no longer a buzzword -- it's a necessity.

Engaging patients throughout the medicines development lifecycle is critical, now more than ever, for driving real-world impact and improving outcomes. At Patients as Partners® in Clinical Research, Pharma R&D leaders, the FDA, patient advocates, and engagement experts provide actionable strategies for effectively integrating patient insights into research while addressing the challenges of demonstrating value and measuring impact.

The event illustrates how to turn insights into action, enabling the industry to prioritize patient needs and enhance efficiencies and outcomes in today's rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

2025 Featured Speakers

Co-Chair

Rucha Shah
Patient Advocate and Assistant Clinical Research Project Manager
ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group

Co-Chair

Patrick Gee Sr, PhD, JLC
Patient Advocate, Founder & Chief Executive Hope Dealer
iAdvocate, Inc

Co-Chair

Mackenzie Abramson, MPH
Patient Advocate and Sr. Manager, Research Program Communications
Global Genes

Anthony Yanni, MD, MBA
SVP and Global Head of Patient Centricity
Astellas Pharma

Katie King, MSHS
Associate Director, PCE DU Lead, Patients Centricity & Engagement, Global Clinical Operations
Biogen

April Lewis
Head of Innovative Health
J&J Innovative Medicine

Holly John
Senior Director, Global Patient Advocacy Medical Affairs
Agios Pharmaceuticals

Melissa Herman
Senior Specialist, Patient Insights, Global Value Evidence & Patient Insights
Lundbeck

Michael DeSalvo Solarte
Program Manager, Center for Professional & Strategic Alliances
National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF)

Rachael MacQueen, MBA
Sr Manager, Patient Centricity, Patient & Site Experience
Moderna

Catherine Coulouvrat, MD
Head, Health Value Translation, R&D
Sanofi

Stephen Framil, DMA
Corporate Global Head of Accessibility
Merck

AnneMarie Winkler
Associate Director, Clinical Trial Optimization and Innovation
Genmab

June Cha, PhD, MPH
Director, FasterCures
Milken Institute

Foluso Agboola, MBBS, MPH
VP, Research
Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER)

AskthePatients @ Patients as Partners

We are delighted to continue the AskthePatients onsite program, now in its 12th year at Patients as Partners in Clinical Research.

AskthePatients offers a unique opportunity for individuals to connect with patients or caregivers who had actively participated in clinical trials in 1:1 meetings. This initiative offers valuable insights into their experiences, challenges, and perspectives in navigating clinical trials, contributing to shaping future progress.

Attendees have the opportunity to sign up on site to meet with the participating patient advocates.

2025 Topics

Diversity & Inclusion

Patient Engagement Impact Measures

AI, Digital & Mobile Tech

Patient Experience Data/Data Return

Operationalizing Patient Engagement

Early Patient Engagement

FDA & HTA Regulatory Updates

Patient Feedback / Patient-Led Sessions

Interactive & Group Sessions

"I prioritize attending the Patients as Partners conference because of the valuable learnings I glean from those attending. The energy in the room is always inspiring and the connection with colleagues is fulfilling. This is a community that comes together to share common ideas and open dialogue about the challenges we need to overcome so that we can work together and amplify the patient voice."

- Rebecca Vermeulen, Genentech, a Member of the Roche Group

Gain access to:

16 Case study sessions from Pharma R&D and Patient organizations on HOW they are making significant progress in clinical outcomes by engaging patients through their clinical research experience

FDA agencies report on their guidelines to advancing patient involvement in medicines development. Attendee questions are welcome

Interactive sessions on co-creating solutions to the typical barriers patients face in participating in a clinical trial

Patients who provide their perspectives on clinical trials and opportunities for improvement

7+ hours of networking ranging from breakfasts, breaks, receptions, partnering opportunities and more