Wednesday, October 21, 2026
9:00 AM-9:45 AM
Registration and networking
9:45 AM-9:50 AM
GCR welcome remarks
9:50 AM-10:00 AM
Chairs’ welcome remarks
David Blackburn
Managing Director, NERA
Rahul Rao
Partner, White & Case
10:00 AM-10:45 AM
Keynote address
10:45 AM-11:45 AM
Dealmaking, pipelines, and regulatory risk – the current life sciences M&A landscape
- The resurgence of life sciences dealmaking in 2026, and the drivers behind renewed M&A activity
- Agency scrutiny of transactions involving pipeline products and future competition
- What the shift from transformative “megadeals” to targeted acquisitions of specialised firms means for the future of M&A deals
Jenny Leahy
Partner, Freshfields
11:45 AM-12:15 PM
Networking break
12:15 PM-1:15 PM
Global antitrust trends reshaping the life sciences market
- How tariffs and trade policy are impacting pharmaceutical supply chains and investment strategies
- China’s rise as a biotech innovation and licensing powerhouse
- The latest enforcement developments from European regulators, and how their proposed merger guidelines may impact deals in the US
Josh Sherman
Vice President, Charles River Associates
1:15 PM-2:30 PM
Networking lunch
2:30 PM-3:30 PM
Innovation or Exclusion? Antitrust, Patents and Data in the Next Era of Drug Development
- Key takeaways from the Amitiza verdict – what does it mean for future enforcement?
- Can the proposed ETHIC Act unlock competition in pharmaceuticals by limiting patent thickets, or will it create unintended consequences for R&D?
- The evolving development between IP rights and antitrust enforcement in life sciences
Christopher Wilson
Partner, Baker Botts
Scott Hemphill
Professor of Law, New York University School of Law
3:30 PM-4:15 PM
Fireside chat
4:15 PM-4:20 PM
Chairs’ closing remarks
David Blackburn
Managing Director, NERA
Rahul Rao
Partner, White & Case
4:20 PM-4:25 PM
GCR closing remarks
