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    · 9 min read· Athena BDA

    Ten pharma conferences to watch this autumn

    Five clinical congresses where pharma are launching, and five commercial events where pharma are speaking — with the brands, companies and roles behind each one.

    All ten conferences at a glance — speakers, companies, diseases and the brands in play.

    The full walkthrough: every conference, the launch activity around it, and who is speaking.

    We've spent the last few weeks pulling apart the autumn pharma conference calendar, looking at who's speaking, what it costs, and which clinical congresses are going to be a hotbed of pharma launch activity.

    Here are the top 10, based largely on how much launch activity will be happening around each clinical congress and how many high value pharma stakeholders are speaking at the commercial conferences.

    Jump to a conference
    ASN Kidney WeekAANEMAASLDESMOObesityWeekFierce Pharma WeekLS Product LaunchPharmageddonNEXT CX & AIISPOR Europe

    Where pharma are launching

    Five clinical congresses, and the brands arriving at each one.

    ASN Kidney Week

    21–25 October 2026DenverClinical

    The world's premier nephrology meeting, gathering over 12,000 kidney professionals and covering all aspects of kidney health, with key disease areas including IgAN, CKD, PKD, C3G and lupus nephritis. After a decade in which almost nothing launched in nephrology, more brands are arriving here at once than in any other therapy area on this list.

    IgAN

    The hottest disease area for any autumn conference
    Trutakna
    Vera
    Launching

    Approved in July 2026 and launching now. Expected to become a $1.5bn brand.

    Voyxact
    Otsuka
    Approved

    Approved November 2025, so this is its first full congress in market.

    Povetacicept
    Vertex
    Filed

    Filed with the FDA, decision due November 2026. Forecast to become a $4bn brand.

    Filspari
    Travere, CSL
    Approved

    Already approved, and recently picked up a second indication in FSGS.

    Vanrafia
    Novartis
    Approved

    Approved April 2025. Novartis is running two IgAN assets at once.

    Fabhalta
    Novartis
    Approved

    The other one. Also approved in C3G and PNH.

    Lupus nephritis

    Gazyva
    Genentech, Roche
    Approved

    Newly approved in lupus nephritis, which takes Genentech into nephrology properly for the first time.

    Lupkynis
    Aurinia
    Approved

    The established option, approved in 2021.

    Industry sessions worth knowing about

    • AstraZeneca and Alexion
      Is It Time to Target Complement in IgAN?
    • Vera
      Redefining the IgAN Paradigm: Early Detection, Targeted Immunotherapy, and Clinical Reality
    • Genentech
      B-Cell Therapy over a Patient's Lifetime: When and Where to Deploy It in Lupus Nephritis and Membranous Nephropathy

    Confirmed sponsors

    Diamond
    Travere, Novartis, Vertex, Vera, Ardelyx, Novo Nordisk, Otsuka
    Platinum
    AstraZeneca, Genentech
    Gold
    Calliditas, Amgen
    Silver
    Apellis, GSK, scPharmaceuticals
    Bronze
    Alexion, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim
    Also present
    Roche, CSL, Takeda, BridgeBio
    The Athena verdict

    The most launch dense conference of the autumn. IgAN alone has Trutakna, Voyxact, Filspari and Povetacicept in play, with Vera, Otsuka, Novartis, Travere and Vertex all sponsoring. Then add C3G, FSGS and lupus nephritis. Twenty-one companies have taken a position.

    AANEM

    29 September – 2 October 2026OrlandoClinical

    The premier meeting in electrodiagnostic and neuromuscular medicine, bringing together the clinicians, researchers and specialists who diagnose and treat neuromuscular disease.

    Myasthenia gravis

    Four companies competing, with more coming
    Vyvgart
    argenx
    Approved

    Approved December 2021, and outperforming expectations since.

    Imaavy
    J&J
    Launching

    Approved April 2025, and forecast to become a $6.5bn brand.

    Gefurulimab
    Alexion, AstraZeneca
    Phase 3

    Alexion's attempt to defend a franchise built on Soliris and Ultomiris.

    Cemdisiran
    Regeneron
    Filed

    Filed with the FDA, decision due November 2026.

    SMA and DMD

    Itvisma
    Novartis
    Launching

    Approved November 2025 and launching now, alongside Zolgensma.

    Apitegromab
    Scholar Rock
    Filed

    Knocked back by the FDA at first pass, with a September 2026 date on record. One of the live stories going into 2027.

    Z-Rostudirsen
    Dyne
    Filed

    Filed with the FDA, decision due January 2027.

    Elevidys
    Roche, Sarepta
    Approved

    The established gene therapy, approved in 2023.

    TK2 deficiency

    Kygevvi
    UCB
    Approved

    Approved November 2025 into a very small population.

    Industry sessions worth knowing about

    Grifols, Dyne, Catalyst, Sarepta and AstraZeneca are all confirmed on industry sessions. The in-person industry forum is an established fixture — in 2024 ten companies took slots: Amgen, Alexion, Biogen, Amicus, UCB, argenx, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Janssen, CSL Behring and Alnylam.

    The Athena verdict

    Small, niche and possibly not on your radar. DMD, myasthenia gravis, SMA, CIDP and ALS, with argenx, Sarepta, Novartis, UCB and Scholar Rock all there. Apitegromab, Z-Rostudirsen and Itvisma brand teams should all be in attendance.

    AASLD The Liver Meeting

    5–9 November 2026DenverClinical

    The main hepatology congress, covering liver disease from MASH and PBC through to hepatitis, with new diagnostic methods, trial results and treatment breakthroughs across the programme.

    MASH

    The therapy area that changed
    Rezdiffra
    Madrigal
    Approved

    The first approved MASH treatment, and forecast to reach $5.5bn.

    Wegovy MASH
    Novo Nordisk
    Launching

    Approved August 2025. Novo bringing its GLP-1 franchise into liver disease.

    Survodutide
    Boehringer Ingelheim
    Phase 3

    The biggest of the assets still to arrive.

    Pegozafermin
    89bio, Roche
    Phase 3

    Roche's route into MASH.

    Efruxifermin
    Akero, Novo Nordisk
    Phase 3

    Novo's second shot at the same market.

    PBC

    Quietly getting crowded
    Lynavoy
    GSK, Alfasigma
    Launching

    Approved March 2026 and launching now.

    Livdelzi
    Gilead
    Approved

    Approved August 2024.

    Iqirvo
    Ipsen
    Approved

    Approved June 2024. Three brands now competing where there was one.

    Hepatitis D

    Hepcludex
    Gilead
    Launching

    Approved May 2026 and launching into a small, underserved population.

    The Athena verdict

    MASH has arrived commercially. Rezdiffra and Wegovy MASH are both in market, Madrigal and Novo Nordisk are both here, and PBC is quietly crowding up with Lynavoy, Livdelzi and Iqirvo.

    ESMO Congress

    23–27 October 2026MadridClinical

    The largest oncology meeting in Europe, spanning twenty tumour types and drawing clinicians, researchers, patient advocates and industry from every major market.

    Lung cancer

    Hernexeos
    Boehringer Ingelheim
    Launching

    Approved August 2025 and launching, targeting HER2-mutant lung cancer.

    Neladalkib
    Nuvalent, GSK
    Filed

    Filed with the FDA, decision due November 2026.

    Daraxonrasib
    RevMed
    Filed

    Filed with the FDA, decision due October 2026. Forecast to reach $7.6bn.

    Breast cancer

    Inluriyo
    Lilly
    Launching

    Approved September 2025 and launching.

    Veppanu
    Arvinas, Pfizer
    Approved

    Approved May 2026. A new class of oestrogen receptor drug.

    Bladder cancer

    Inlexzo
    J&J
    Launching

    Approved September 2025 and launching.

    Industry sessions worth knowing about

    • Boehringer Ingelheim
      HER2 and DLL3: Shaping the next generation of targeted cancer therapy
    • Pfizer
      Breaking the Treatment Plateau in Advanced NSCLC: Antibody Therapy Redefined
    • Lilly
      Navigating the Therapeutic Crossroads in HR+ HER2- Breast Cancer: Defining Your Next Clinical Direction

    Eight companies are confirmed on industry sessions: AbbVie, BMS, Eisai, Pfizer, Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ipsen and Jazz.

    The Athena verdict

    The biggest of them all. Hernexeos, Inlexzo, Veppanu, Inluriyo, Neladalkib and Daraxonrasib across lung, breast, bladder and prostate. If a company has an oncology launch, it's here.

    ObesityWeek

    14–17 November 2026Washington DCClinical

    The 44th annual meeting of the Obesity Society, spanning obesity science from basic and translational research through to clinical application and health policy. It is the main clinical venue for the deepest commercial pipeline in the industry, with Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Amgen and Roche all fielding assets.

    Obesity

    The biggest field in the industry
    Foundayo
    Lilly
    Launching

    Approved April 2026 and launching. The first oral small-molecule GLP-1, forecast to reach $30bn.

    Wegovy
    Novo Nordisk
    Approved

    The incumbent, and still one of the largest brands in the industry.

    Zepbound
    Lilly
    Approved

    Already approved and now expanding into sleep apnoea.

    CagriSema
    Novo Nordisk
    Filed

    Filed with the FDA, decision due October 2026. Novo's answer to Zepbound.

    Retatrutide
    Lilly
    Phase 3

    Forecast to reach $15bn.

    MariTide
    Amgen
    Phase 2

    Monthly dosing rather than weekly, which is the differentiator.

    Petrelintide
    Roche, Zealand
    Phase 2

    Roche buying its way into the category.

    Rare obesity

    Imcivree
    Rhythm
    Approved

    Approved for two rare genetic causes of obesity.

    Industry sessions worth knowing about

    Lilly is confirmed as having an industry session, with many more to be announced as we get closer to the event.

    The Athena verdict

    Foundayo, CagriSema, Retatrutide, MariTide, Zepbound, Wegovy. Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Amgen, Roche, Zealand. The largest commercial prize in medicine, in one place.

    Where pharma are speaking

    Five commercial events, and the pharma stakeholders on stage at each one.

    Fierce Pharma Week

    14–17 September 2026Pennsylvania Convention Center, PhiladelphiaCommercial

    Four days uniting life science leaders across marketing, sales, medical affairs, PR and communications, and commercialisation. It draws SVPs, VPs, directors and department heads across those functions, and Fierce now runs the whole thing as one week rather than separate events.

    Pharma speakers
    165
    Companies
    81
    Vendor pass
    $4,495
    Cost per speaker
    $23
    Who is speaking
    Sanofi 10BMS 9Bayer 7Pfizer 7Novartis 7Boehringer Ingelheim 6
    Roles attending
    Communications 26Strategy 22Marketing 22Medical Affairs 20

    Key sessions

    • Panel: Expand medical affairs influence without losing strategic focus
      SVP, Head of Cell Therapy Medical Affairs · Bristol Myers Squibb
      SVP, Global Medical Affairs · KalVista
      Global Head, Medical Affairs Excellence · Boehringer Ingelheim
    • Panel: How GLP-1 therapies are forcing a new marketing playbook in pharma
      VP, Head of Diabetes Therapy Area Marketing and Patient Solutions · Novo Nordisk
    • The patient does not care about your organizational chart
      Franchise Head, Gyne/GU Cancer, US Medical Affairs · AstraZeneca
      Franchise Head, GI Cancers, US Medical Affairs · AstraZeneca
    The Athena verdict

    165 pharma speakers from 81 companies, the densest commercial event we've ever seen. One week, four communities, 14 tracks. Sanofi alone sends 10.

    Life Sciences Product Launch

    22 September 2026Hynes Convention Center, BostonCommercial

    A one-day summit inside Biotech Week Boston, built around the mechanics of getting a product to market. It targets commercial professionals working on market access, pricing, and aligning portfolio strategy with unmet need.

    Pharma speakers
    20
    Companies
    20
    Vendor pass
    $1,999
    Cost per speaker
    $85

    Every speaker comes from a different organisation.

    Who is speaking
    Vera Therapeutics 1Cogent Biosciences 1IDEAYA Biosciences 1Soleno Therapeutics 1Alnylam 1Abeona 1
    Roles attending
    Commercial 4Market Access 4Strategy 3Operations 2

    Key sessions

    • Navigate the shifting terrain of pharma and biotech commercialization
      VP, Marketing and Commercial Strategy · IDEAYA
      SVP, US Market Access & Alliance Management · AVEO Oncology
      Senior Director, Market Development · Ardelyx
    • Orchestrating the pre-launch symphony: building cross-functional harmony for successful launches
      Executive Medical Director & Launch Lead, Atacicept (IgAN) · Vera Therapeutics
      Former VP of Marketing · Disc Medicine
    • Tailoring launch strategies for rare disease vs. non-specialty markets
      SVP, Market Access · Cogent Biosciences
      Director, Franchise Operations, Global Rare Diseases · Sanofi
      Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives and Market Development · GSK
    The Athena verdict

    Our sleeper. 20 speakers from 20 companies, most biotechs and small pharma. The place to be if you're targeting launch outside of big pharma.

    Pharmageddon Europe

    6–7 October 2026AmsterdamCommercial

    Two days built to challenge the status quo, deliberately avoiding predictable content and vendor presentations. The format runs as consults and boards rather than plenaries, and the stated aim is behavioural change inside pharma rather than information transfer.

    Pharma speakers
    33
    Companies
    19
    Vendor pass
    Not published
    Cost per speaker
    —

    Separate registration routes for life sciences professionals and service providers, with service provider pricing on enquiry.

    Who is speaking
    Sanofi 5Novartis 3Kyowa Kirin 3UCB 2Merck 2Chiesi 2
    Roles attending
    Launch Excellence 6Medical Affairs 5Commercial 4Strategy 3

    Key sessions

    • The missing patient
    • Commercial consult: the brand side effect
    • Medical consult: treating data toxicity

    Pharmageddon does not publish a speaker line-up against individual sessions.

    The Athena verdict

    The quirky one, deliberately so. 33 speakers, 19 companies, with a very decent launch contingent. Not for the faint hearted.

    NEXT CX & AI

    27–28 October 2026ViennaCommercial

    A summit on customer experience, engagement and applied AI, aimed at omnichannel, medical affairs, commercial and generative AI decision-makers. The focus is building one company voice across personalised HCP journeys.

    Pharma speakers
    59
    Companies
    36
    Vendor pass
    €1,890
    Cost per speaker
    €29

    Both rates exclude VAT.

    Who is speaking
    Boehringer Ingelheim 6Takeda 4Astellas 3Daiichi Sankyo 3Roche 3Sanofi 3
    Roles attending
    Digital Marketing 10Operations 8AI 7Commercial Excellence 6

    Key sessions

    • Interactive opening: pharma CX & AI town hall. One customer, one experience. Are we ready?
      Global Head of Oncology, SVP · Boehringer Ingelheim
      Global Head of Integrated Experience and Operations · Roche
      Chief Digital & Technology Officer · ViiV Healthcare
    • With great AI comes great governance: from infinite content to trusted HCP content
      Global Omnichannel Engagement Lead · CSL
      Head, Content & Channel Enablement · Astellas
      Director, Global Content Strategy · Astellas
    • Your next colleague isn't human: the human touch, supercharged
      Senior Director, Global Launch & Marketing Excellence · AstraZeneca
    The Athena verdict

    59 speakers, 36 companies, mostly digital marketing and commercial excellence. Boehringer sends six, including Hernexeos launch leaders.

    ISPOR Europe

    8–11 November 2026ViennaCommercial

    The health economics and outcomes research congress, covering clinical outcomes, economic evaluation, health policy and real world data. The audience is researchers, assessors, regulators, payers and policy makers as much as it is industry.

    Pharma speakers
    47
    Companies
    28
    Vendor pass
    $2,340
    Cost per speaker
    $42

    Rates exclude VAT, which is added at 20% on checkout.

    Who is speaking
    Pfizer 5Novartis 4AstraZeneca 4BMS 3Merck 3Roche 2
    Roles attending
    Health Economics 14Real World Evidence 12Market Access 8Patient Solutions 3

    Key sessions

    • Plenary: The Science of What Matters — Rethinking Value in Healthcare
      SVP, Value & Patient Access · BioCryst
    • Issue panel: Humans at the Helm — Navigating Increasing AI Autonomy in HEOR and HTA
      Director, Economic & Predictive Modeling, Global HEOR · BMS
      Director, Global HEOR Economic & Predictive Modeling · BMS
      Research Principal, HTA Policy and Strategy · Cytel
    • Short course: Applied Generative AI for HEOR
      Director, Global HEOR Evidence Acceleration & Innovation · BMS
    The Athena verdict

    The only one here where the audience isn't commercial. 26 of the 47 speakers sit in health economics or real world evidence. A whole year's access conversation in one room.

    Want the full speaker lists, contacts and launch activity behind each of these conferences?