2nd DECENTRALIZED & HYBRID CLINICAL TRIALS WORLD CONGRESS 2026 EUROPE

Redefining Clinical Research Through Decentralization, Technology, and Collaboration

Millennium Hotel and Conference Centre Gloucester London, UK

Wednesday 25th - Thursday 26th February 2026

KEY INDUSTRY EXPERT SPEAKERS

Khadija Rantell

Senior Statistical Assessor

MHRA

Khadija Rantell

Senior Statistical Assessor

Khadija Rantell is a Lead Senior Statistical Assessor at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK, where she has been working since 2013. Khadija has a wide experience in the critical appraisal of study design and data to support marketing authorisation applications, as well as the provision of scientific advice to companies. As part of her role at the MHRA, she also reviews clinical trial applications submitted for approval. Khadija received her PhD from Sheffield University in the UK and has worked several years in academia prior to joining the MHRA. She is a member of the ICH E20 Expert Working Group and the SISAQOL-IMI Consortium.

Dr. Stephen Framil

Corporate Global Head of Accessibility

Merck & Co., INC

Dr. Stephen Framil

Corporate Global Head of Accessibility

As the Corporate Global Head of Accessibility at Merck & Co., Inc., Dr. Stephen Framil has been an ardent advocate and practitioner of equitable access across the range of human experience: including the built environment, food sustainability, education, performing arts, and the digital landscape. With over 30 years of executive leadership in business strategy and innovation, policy and governance, procedure and operations, and portfolio management expertise, Steve continues to lead and champion accessibility in multinational corporations, non-profit education, and the performing arts. Steve resides in the Greater Philadelphia area with his wife Natalia, children Aren and Sasha, cats Mila and Jana, and dog Benji. Steve maintains an active music career as the founding Executive & Music Director of Camerata Philadelphia and the Port City Music Festival (Wilmington NC). To make this all happen as a CRC Survivor (2024 NED), Steve energizes through marathons and triathlons, and is a 2X Ironman (2022, 2024)—why be bad at one sport, when you can be bad at three!

Puja Myles

Director, Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD)

MHRA

Puja Myles

Director, Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD)

Dr Puja Myles is Director of the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), which is a UK government real-world data research service with a mission to facilitate research benefiting public health and clinical care of patients. She is a Public Health Specialist and Epidemiologist. She has also contributed to the UK medical products regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA's) Regulatory Science and Policy initiatives relating to regulatory requirements for the use of real-world data to support clinical trials, data quality, in silico trial approaches, synthetic data and AI medical devices.

Alexandra Charge

Chief Executive Officer

ISPEP

Alexandra Charge

Chief Executive Officer

A global life sciences and healthcare executive leading change, transformation and innovation in patient engagement and clinical trials, through inclusive patient & HCP recruitment, and leadership for equitable healthcare. Alex’s passion is driving transformation & empowering individuals and companies to build a healthier future, both within the established pharma/life sciences landscape and preventative health and wellbeing. Her mission is to unlock the true potential of healthcare and health ownership

Nadya Isack

Patient and Public Involvement (PPIE) Advocate, Founder

Empower Health Initiative CIC, Person living with Obesity

Nadya Isack

Patient and Public Involvement (PPIE) Advocate, Founder

Nadya Isack is a leading Patient and Public Involvement (PPIE) advocate and founder of Empower Health Initiative CIC, a patient-led organisation amplifying the lived experience of obesity across research, policy, and healthcare delivery. Nadya is a person living with the Chronic Disease of Obesity. With over two decades of professional experience as a Senior Executive Assistant at Citi and a decade of advocacy leadership, Nadya bridges strategic, academic, and community perspectives to champion equitable, stigma-free healthcare. She has collaborated with major institutions including University College London, University of Bristol, University of Birmingham, UCLH, and the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, contributing to studies on digital health, weight management, and lived experience in obesity care. Her involvement spans from designing PPIE training for bariatric surgeons to co-authoring academic publications featured in the likes of: The Lancet, EClinicalMedicine and Clinical Obesity. Nadya has served as a Trustee of the Obesity Empowerment Network, PPIE Lead for the Association for the Study of Obesity, and Committee Member for BOMSS (NBSR), as well as a Strategic Council Member for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity. Through Empower Health Initiative, she continues to drive collaboration between patients, researchers, and clinicians to redefine how obesity care and lived experience inform practice and policy.

Amelia Hursey

Strategic Director

parkinsonseurope.org

Amelia Hursey

Strategic Director

Amelia joined the Parkinson’s Europe team in Jan 2022 as Research Manager, progressing to Strategic Director from Jan 2025. She has delivered the Parkinson’s Europe’s Research Strategy, embedded a volunteer Steering Groups into the organisation and helped to increase Parkinson’s Europe research reputation. She has also brought new initiatives to the table, such as the Parkinson’s Europe’s Engagement Network, which connects the Parkinson’s community across Europe. Parkinson’s Europe is now a partner member of EUPATI, the Non–Profit coalition to support advancements of Disease Modifying Treatments for Parkinson’s and the Critical Path for Parkinson’s. She co-developed Parkinson’s Europe's new 2025-2028 strategy and is leading its delivery. She has been working in the field of Neurodegenerative research since 2009, is a Patient Organisations board member with EUPATI and a member of EAN’s Guidance Production Group and is co-author on a number of publications about Parkinson’s and patient engagement. She worked for NIHR’s DeNDRoN delivering clinical trials 2009-2015 and then at Parkinson’s UK as Research Participation Lead 2015-2022. She was responsible for initiatives to increase research participation for people affected by Parkinson’s, HCP’s and researchers, and created the innovative Parkinson’s UK Take Part Hub and co-produced the Staying Connected toolkit.

CAROLE SCRAFTON

CEO & Co-Founder Patient Advocacy Organisation

FibroFlutters

CAROLE SCRAFTON

CEO & Co-Founder Patient Advocacy Organisation

Carole is a patient with chronic and genetic rare disease, Patient Partner, Expert Patient, Patient Speaker, Author and Researcher. She is the CEO & Co-founder of FibroFlutters Patient Advocacy Organisation for chronic / rare illnesses. Helping to develop, nurture and advocate for a multidisciplinary approach to all aspects of medical healthcare so that chronic illness & rare disease patients can receive the type of care and treatments that they need. Carole utilises varying social media platforms to support people with Chronic illness & Rare Disease, #notjustpatients, and with a multi-stakeholder following. A network used for raising disease awareness and sharing as much up to date information. Carole also advocates for patientcentricity, especially patient engagement best practices and the need for patients to be included within research at early development / preclinical phases. She recognises the need to help educate patients about clinical trials and the reason why they should get involved. Recently as a Patient, and with FibroFlutters, was a team member of an initiative to create: ‘How-To guide’. How to implement Patient Engagement into Early Development and Preclinical phases with Patients Focused Medicines Development.

Dr Sondra Butterworth

CEO & Founder

RareQoL (Rare Quality of Life) and EDIRA (Equality Diversity and Inclusive Research Association)

Dr Sondra Butterworth

CEO & Founder

Sondra is one of the few black Community Psychologists in the UK. She is a mixed methods researcher and educator. Sondra brings her professional expertise and lived experience together, to advocate for rare disease and diverse communities. Her work is focused on inclusive research and practice; and on addressing the challenges underserved communities experience from issues related to health inequalities. Sondra is a Research Associate at the University of Chester, she sits on the board of the mental health charity Adferiad and is Head of Research Insights with Intent Health. Sondra’s groundbreaking work in EDIRA has produced three successful events bringing together diverse communities, rare disease patients, health care and pharma teams. EDIRA-23 focused on Barriers to Inclusion and EDIRA-24 on Building Trust. EDIRA-25‘Let’s COCO & ‘Celebrate the Doers’ showcased individuals and organizations that are actively driving positive change in patient centricity and health equity spaces, through COCO: Collaboration, Outreach, Co-creation and Outcome-focused activities. Website: www.rareqol.com | LinkedIn

Bob Stevens

Group CEO

MPS.SOCIETY

Bob Stevens

Group CEO

Having two sons diagnosed with a rare disease (MPSII) changes your perspective and priorities in life. Having spent over 20 years in construction, many of which were at Board level, Bob decided to pursue a career in the Charity sector. At first becoming a Trustee, then progressed to Managing Director and Group CEO of various patient organisations, supporting those living with rare diseases and complex needs. Bob wanted to bring together his family experiences of a "Rare life lived" and commercial attributes in order to improve the lives of those most marginalised in society whilst, at the same time, helping to create a more sustainable financial future for patient organisations both in the UK and globally. As well as being Group CEO of the MPS Society/Rare Disease Research Partners he is proud to serve as Vice Chair of the LSD Collaborative, Board Member of the worldwide International MPS Network, Acting Chair of the New Born Screening Collaborative and work as a patient representative for MPS in various global charitable access programs that provide a possible lifeline to treatments in selected areas of the world. These are not job roles, but a way of life!

Lewis Millen

Millen, Head of Clinical Innovation & Digital Solutions

UCB

Lewis Millen

Millen, Head of Clinical Innovation & Digital Solutions

More than 25 years experience in clinical research, in both early and late stage medicines development, in pharma, biotech and CRO. I have held a variety of roles in clinical science and operations; across phases I to IV; from monitor, to study manager through to clinical programme lead. Additionally, I have clinical trial procurement experience, and in my most recent roles, have been involved in strategic clinical study/programme feasibility and planning, patient engagement, recruitment and retention, decentralised clinical trials (DCTs), and clinical innovation. I have led teams and managed people, presented at conferences, podcasted and am passionate about patient-centred clinical development. Mohamed Sharaf, EMEA Regional Senior Medical Advisor (Immunology), J & J A Pharmacist currently serving as a Regional Senior Medical Advisor for EMEA (Europe, Africa, and the Middle East) at Johnson & Johnson. I also have experience as a Global Trial Study Responsible Scientist. I have over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, specifically within the commercial and medical fields, having worked at Pfizer, Sanofi, Spimaco, and Johnson & Johnson. My experience includes more than 10 years in Medical Affairs and clinical studies, holding roles such as MSL, Medical Advisor, and Regional Medical Program Lead across the GCC, Emerging Markets, and EMEA regions. Additionally, I have contributed to medical literature with more than 50 published manuscripts, abstracts, and posters.

Maud Victoire

Clinical Data Lead – Clinical Data Management

Sanofi

Maud Victoire

Clinical Data Lead – Clinical Data Management

Coming Soon

Elizabeth Theogaraj

Regulatory Senior Group Director

Roche

Elizabeth Theogaraj

Regulatory Senior Group Director

Elizabeth is a regulatory affairs leader dedicated to bringing new medicines to patients navigating the path from early development to market. Her current work is at the intersection of regulatory strategy and clinical research, where she focuses on complex studies in oncology, including umbrella platform trials and master screening protocols. Committed to advancing research methodologies, Elizabeth led the first fully decentralized trial in Oncology. The insights from this trial have helped inform guidance from global health authorities on the topic. She champions this forward-thinking approach across the industry through her leadership positions, serving as Co-Chair of EFPIA's Innovative Clinical Trial group and Chair of TransCelerate's Regulatory Council Network.

Robert Mitchell-Thain

CEO

PBC Foundation

Robert Mitchell-Thain

CEO

Coming Soon

Van Zyl Engelbrecht

Head of Country Operations / Decentralised Clinical Trials & Innovation / Rare Diseases / Regulatory Affairs

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc

Van Zyl Engelbrecht

Head of Country Operations / Decentralised Clinical Trials & Innovation / Rare Diseases / Regulatory Affairs

Coming Soon

Rasmus Hjorth

Head of Communication

James Lind Care

Rasmus Hjorth

Head of Communication

Rasmus Hjorth has several years of experience working with engaging patients in clinical research as Head of Communication in the patient recruitment company, James Lind Care. His work experience centers around how to engage patients in clinical trials which includes working with developing services and communication that increases the awareness and interest about clinical research among patients. He also has years of experience developing advertisement- and information material for recruiting patients to clinical trials, resulting in engaging thousands of patients in several clinical trials. Rasmus holds a Masters degree in communication and besides his job as Head of Communication in James Lind Care he is also a member of the board in the Danish Lung Patient Association.

Mohamed Sharaf

EMEA Regional Senior Medical Advisor (Immunology)

Johnson & Johnson

Mohamed Sharaf

EMEA Regional Senior Medical Advisor (Immunology)

A Pharmacist currently serving as a Regional Senior Medical Advisor for EMEA (Europe, Africa, and the Middle East) at Johnson & Johnson. I also have experience as a Global Trial Study Responsible Scientist. I have over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, specifically within the commercial and medical fields, having worked at Pfizer, Sanofi, Spimaco, and Johnson & Johnson. My experience includes more than 10 years in Medical Affairs and clinical studies, holding roles such as MSL, Medical Advisor, and Regional Medical Program Lead across the GCC, Emerging Markets, and EMEA regions. Additionally, I have contributed to medical literature with more than 50 published manuscripts, abstracts, and posters.

Melanie Dixon

Trustee

Cure DHDDS

Melanie Dixon

Trustee

Mel set up the charity Cure DHDDS after finding out that two of her three children carried an ultra-rare and newly discovered DHDDS genetic mutation which causes a progressive metabolic disorder. Mel soon realised that there was limited support and research available on the condition so with her husband Charlie Dixon founded the Charity Cure DHDDS www.curedhdds.org. Mel now works full time for this charity supporting families and driving research in the hope of expediting a treatment. Mel is also a member of UKRET (UK Rare Epilepsy’s Together) and the Genomics England Participant Panel. Mel is a passionate advocate for raising awareness and highlighting the need for investment in those suffering with rare and ultra rare diseases.

Laura Risueño Ayerbe

Global Patient Affairs, Patient Engagement R&D

Servier

Laura Risueño Ayerbe

Global Patient Affairs, Patient Engagement R&D

Coming Soon

Available Shortly

CEO / Founder

Biotech

Available Shortly

CEO / Founder

Emma Kinloch

CEO

Salivary Gland Cancer UK

Emma Kinloch

CEO

Emma is the CEO of Salivary Gland Cancer UK (SGC UK); a Charity focussed on furthering research and improving outcomes for rare Salivary Gland Cancers. A unique collaboration between a patient advocate and a medical oncologist, it runs regular gatherings, a research working group and operates internationally. Emma is a member of the Experimental Cancer Medicines Centre (ECMC) strategy advisory board, an advisor to the European Reference Network (ERN) EURACAN rare Head and Neck cancer domain and, a non-executive director of the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation (ACCRF). After graduating in Experimental Psychology from Corpus Christi College, Oxford, Emma pursued a successful career in finance, working in both Europe and Asia. Recently she completed a Professional Doctorate in Occupational Health Psychology, focussed on Head and Neck Cancer and Work. Emma has a strong commitment to supporting and building mission-driven organisations with strong governance, who put the needs of people first and seek to make the world a fairer place. In all her roles she brings a distinctive blend of corporate leadership, academic insight, and lived experience.