NextGen Biomed 2026
Vaccine Insights 2026; 5(1), 7–9
DOI: 10.18609/vac.2026.002
As part of our ongoing coverage of key gatherings in life sciences, BioInsights presents a preview of NextGen Biomed 2026. Scheduled for March 24–25, 2026, in London, UK, this event will unite the brightest scientific minds and the most disruptive innovations in biomedicine under one roof. The agenda spans advances in biologics, peptide and oligonucleotide therapeutics, immunotherapy strategies, vaccine research and development, and sustainable bioprocessing, featuring a keynote presentation from Andreas Plückthun (Professor of Biochemistry, University of Zurich), who will discuss molecular engineering for the future across therapeutic modalities, alongside contributions from a broad range of academic and industry leaders.
Exploring advances in ADC engineering
The Proteins, Antibodies and ADCs program will explore topics ranging from protein and antibody engineering through to advanced bioanalytics, real-world case studies, and innovations in upstream and downstream processing. Senior leaders from pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and research institutions will share perspectives on antibody discovery, analytical development, and protein purification strategies. Charlotte Deane (Professor, University of Oxford) will examine the application of AI in protein design, while Dan Bach Kristensen (Scientific Director, Servier) will present on characterization of ADCs and next-generation biologics in biological matrices using affinity capture liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry.
Oligonucleotide design, CMC, & scale-up strategies
Beyond ADCs, the conference will also include presentations on how computational design approaches, CMC strategies, sustainable process improvements, and advanced analytical controls are being applied to accelerate oligonucleotide-based drug development timelines. A thought leadership panel featuring Anna Perdrix (Chief Executive Officer, Sixfold Bioscience), Sritama Bose (Associate Director of Chemistry, Orfonyx Bio), and Sandor Batkai (Life Science Consultant, formerly Head of Medical Research and Intelligence, Cardior Pharmaceuticals) will explore regulatory considerations, novel technologies, and scale-up challenges in oligonucleotide drug development.
Novel immunotherapy & immuno-oncology approaches
Immunotherapy for cancer and autoimmune diseases will be another central theme, with sessions focused on biomarker-guided strategies, next-generation cellular and antibody-based approaches, and personalized treatment paradigms. Alexander Eggermont (Professor, University Medical Center Utrecht) will present on the neoadjuvant immunotherapy revolution across multiple tumor types, discussing why neoadjuvant immuno-oncology strategies may offer advantages over adjuvant approaches. Callum Scott (Senior Vice President and Head of Development, Scancell) will address the role of potency testing across the cancer vaccine development lifecycle, highlighting the intersection of technical feasibility, regulatory expectations, and commercial considerations.
Innovations in vaccine design & development
The vaccines program will examine advances in nucleotide-based vaccine platforms for infectious diseases, AI-driven antigen design, and emerging delivery systems. Daniel Larocque (Innovation Leader, Sanofi) will present a historical and forward-looking perspective in a session titled ‘Tracing 200 years of vaccine innovation: from prophylactic to therapeutic vaccines and AI-driven vaccines’. Supriyadi Hafiz (Senior Scientist, Merck) will discuss the growing demand for responsibly sourced alternatives to animal-derived ingredients, with a focus on fermentation-derived, non-animal-origin squalene. Across the program, attendees will gain insights into adjuvant production, clinical development strategies, and translational approaches that support the progression of vaccine candidates from research to real-world application.
Women in NextGen Biomed panel discussion
The two-day event will also feature a Women in NextGen Biomed panel discussion. Building on the success of the previous year, this session will bring together leading female scientists and industry professionals for a discussion focused on innovation, career pathways, and addressing barriers in STEM. The panel will highlight achievements, ongoing challenges, and future opportunities for women contributing to the next generation of biomedical research and development.
NextGen Biomed 2026 will bring together innovators across biologics, tides, and immunotherapy fields to share real-world case studies spanning novel target discovery and clinical validation, as well as biologics engineering and therapeutic development. Together, these discussions will offer a deep dive into the science and strategy behind the field’s most promising breakthroughs.
You can find out more about the NextGen Biomed 2026 events here.
To learn about other events coming up in your field, you can find our online Events Calendars here: Bioconjugate Insights, Nucleic Acid Insights, and Vaccine Insights.