ISPE Announces Keynote Speakers for its 2026 ISPE Pharma 4.0™ and Biopharma Conference

The conference will take place 10–11 December in Berlin, Germany, and virtually.

The conference will feature three technical tracks covering digital enablement, compliant operations, and practical biopharma manufacturing transformation through Pharma 4.0™ principles.

NORTH BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) has announced its keynote speakers for the 2026 ISPE Pharma 4.0™ and Biopharma Conference, set for Thursday, 10 December, through Friday, 11 December, in Berlin, Germany, and virtually.

The conference is ISPE's first international event to integrate Pharma 4.0™ and biopharma topics into a single program. Sessions will address digital transformation and advanced manufacturing across traditional pharmaceutical operations as well as biologics, cell and gene therapies, ATMPs, and mRNA technologies.

"This year's keynote speakers represent a unique cross-section of expertise spanning pharmaceutical engineering, bioprocess innovation, digital manufacturing, and product development. Their perspectives will help attendees better understand the technologies, strategies, and leadership approaches shaping the future of Pharma 4.0™ and biopharma," said Lineke Pelleboer, International Program Committee Conference Co-Chair, Senior Business Developer at Bilthoven Biologicals.

ISPE has announced the following keynote speakers:

• Chris Grail, Senior Vice President, Global Pharma Engineering and Maintenance Excellence Lead, Bayer AG
• Jochen Maas, PhD, Former Managing Director, Research and Development, Sanofi
• Peter Neubauer, PhD, Professor of Bioprocess Engineering, Technische Universität Berlin
• Kerstin Seemann, Senior Vice President, Head of Global CMC Development, Merck KGaA
• Adrian Widmer, Global Head of Digital, AI, and Operational Excellence (Interim), Roche
• Jan Wokittel, Director and Cluster Lead, Smart Manufacturing, Roche

"Across the conference tracks, attendees will explore practical approaches to digital transformation, from data readiness and AI enablement to smart manufacturing, compliance, and scalable biopharma operations, with real-world lessons from industry leaders," said Markus Zeitz, International Program Committee Conference Co-Chair and Head of Digital Quality with Takeda.

The conference comprises three technical tracks:

• Pharma 4.0™ Enabling Digital Foundations
• Pharma 4.0™ Compliant by Design
• Pharma 4.0™ in Action: Biopharma Manufacturing Transformation

Learn more and register for the conference today: ISPE.org/26Pharma.

About ISPE
The International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) is a global nonprofit association serving its members through leading scientific, technical, and regulatory advancement across the entire pharmaceutical lifecycle. The 25,000+ members of ISPE provide solutions to complex pharmaceutical industry challenges through innovation, member and workforce development, and technical, regulatory, and compliance collaborations in more than 120 countries worldwide. Founded in 1980, ISPE has its worldwide headquarters and training center in North Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and its operations center in Tampa, Florida, USA. For more information, visit ISPE.org.

SOURCE ISPE