Explore the future of digital science and innovation at the 4th Annual Nordic Digital Science & Innovation Day on May 20th at the Tivoli Congress Center in Copenhagen. This complimentary event is essential for scientists, R&D leaders, and industry experts driving biopharma innovation across the Nordics.
Why Attend?
Cutting-Edge Agenda
Immerse yourself in a curated agenda featuring leading speakers unveiling the latest in digital transformation within R&D. Discover tools and strategies shaping scientific innovation in biopharma.
Inspiration and Innovation
Gain insights into breakthrough technologies, AI-driven research, and data-driven decision-making revolutionizing biopharma R&D.
Networking
Connect with 300+ peers including scientists, innovators, and industry pioneers. Forge collaborations and cultivate relationships driving future biopharma advancements.
Continuing Excellence
Following past success, this year promises an equally engaging experience. Limited seating available, secure your spot early.
Register Now
Mark your calendar for 20 May, 2025, and prepare to participate in a day dedicated to exploring the future of digital science and innovation in biopharma R&D.
Admission is free, but registration is required due to high demand and limited seating capacity.
Join the Nordic region’s most influential biotech innovators at the 4th Annual Nordic Digital Science & Innovation Day. Reserve your place and shape the future of biopharma R&D in the Nordics.
Lisa Kirsebom has nearly 20 years of experience as a science journalist and 15 years as a moderator.
She holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Lund University, with additional studies in chemistry, physics, biology, and medical subjects like pharmacology, physiology, and virology.
Lisa moderates diverse events, from small discussions to large conferences, with a focus on life sciences, medicine, and higher education. She has worked with Lund University, the Swedish Government Offices, the European Spallation Source, SciLifeLab, Medicon Valley Alliance, and more.
This is her second time moderating the Nordic Digital Science & Innovation Day.
Philippe Pinton, Senior Vice President, Global Head, Research & Medical
Ferring
Saji Wickramasekara, CEO, Benchling
A year after sharing his thoughts on AI’s potential in drug development, Philippe Pinton, Global Head of Research & Medical at Ferring Pharmaceuticals joins Benchling’s Sajith Wickramasekara to update us on where the biggest opportunities and challenges remain. This conversation will cover everything from digital transformation to the shifting global dynamics in biotech.
9:20 - 9:40
The story of GLP-1: What to Learn for New Innovation in Biomedicines
Speaker: Lotte Bjerre Knudsen, Chief Scientific Advisor & Head of GLP-1 CoE, Novo Nordisk
This talk will explore the innovative journey of drug discovery and development of GLP-1 receptor agonists for diabetes and obesity treatment. The talk will highlight the multifaceted benefits these therapies provide, extending beyond glycemic control and weight management. Key learnings from this development process, including challenges faced and solutions implemented, will offer valuable insights for modern drug discovery efforts. Attendees will gain perspectives on leveraging historical advancements to inform contemporary strategies in addressing complex health challenges.
9:45 - 10:05
Building a Unified Digital R&D Ecosystem at Novonesis
Speaker: Martin Borchert, Senior Director, Scientific Data Strategy and Systems, Novonesis
With Novozymes and Chr. Hansen coming together to form Novonesis, the company is laying the groundwork for a unified digital R&D environment. With Benchling being rolled out to aproximatelly 1,500 Novonesis scientists globally, this talk explores how a shared data model is connecting teams and streamlining how scientific data is managed and used. You'll also hear how the company is evolving lab practices to reduce tool fragmentation and strengthen the bridge between its dry and wet labs. Finally, you can expect real examples of how this transformation is helping researchers work faster, more collaboratively, and with greater clarity.
10:10 - 10:30
FAIR Data in Action: Automating the Data Lifecycle at DTU Biosustain
Speaker: Kostas Tsirigos, Head of Research Data, DTU Biosustain
Effective data management is essential for accelerating research and innovation. This session presents the Data Catalog of DTU Biosustain and explores how FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles are being implemented to enhance data organization and accessibility. You'll also hear the benefits of integrating Benchling into DTU workflows, improving data traceability, collaboration, and overall research efficiency.
11:00 - 11:30
Panel: The Next Generation of Antibody Research
Moderator:
Jannick Bendtsen, CEO, PipeBio
Panelists:
Allan Jensen, Vice President, Biotherapeutic Discovery, Lundbeck
Lisbeth Fink, Vice President, Discovery Biotherapeutics, Ferring Pharmaceuticals
Morten Rasch, Head of Recombinant Drug Discovery 1, Novo Nordisk
Nikolaj Dietrich, Scientific Director, Therapeutic Innovation, Biologic Drug Design, Symphogen A/S – A Servier company
Throughout this panel discussion we will explore how AI and machine learning are reshaping antibody discovery—from de novo design and lead optimization to data-driven insights and automation. We will cover the use of AI in developability prediction, repertoire analysis, clinical data interpretation, and lab-in-the-loop strategies. We'll also touch on the readiness of the field, implications for IP, and the potential to reduce reliance on animal models as recently outlined by FDA.
11:35 - 11:55
In-silico Antibody Discovery: Closing the Loop Between Experiment and Algorithm
Speaker: Samuel Demharter, Senior Data Scientist, Team Lead, Genmab
Biophysical characterization of biologics creates bottlenecks in antibody discovery. Hear how data-driven approaches are transforming antibody discovery and optimization at Genmab. You’ll gain insight into two projects: one focused on building high-value datasets to enhance nanobody developability predictions and another on de novo antibody design. Learn how by designing and characterizing diverse molecular libraries, Genmab aims to enhance predictive modeling and discover novel antibodies with optimized biophysical properties, advancing data-driven antibody engineering.
12:00 - 12:20
Improving Data Management and Traceability in Cell Therapy R&D
Speaker: Risto-Pekka Pölönen, Analytical Scientist, Ferring Ventures
Join this session to hear how Ferring Ventures Oy is accelerating cell therapy R&D, and improving collaboration with a unified research data platform. As drug discovery progresses, reliable data becomes a critical foundation for scientific decision-making. In his talk, Risto-Pekka Pölönen will share how the team decided to leverage Benchling’s ELN and LIMS to meet growing data management needs and how robust digital infrastructure now supports faster, more confident progress in advanced therapeutic development.
13:35 - 13:55
Unified Data Management at 21st.BIO: From Strain Engineering to Pilot Scale Fermentations
21st.BIO leverages Benchling as a unified data platform to streamline collaboration and drive innovation in precision fermentation. By implementing a relational data model, defining clear handoff entities, and integrating inventory tracking, the company ensures seamless workflows from strain engineering to scale-up. This approach enhances traceability, operational efficiency, and machine learning-driven insights. Join this session to learn how a structured, single-source-of-truth database can transform R&D and accelerate technology transfer.
14:00 - 14:20
Driving Smarter Process Development through High-Quality Datasets and Digital Enablement
Speaker: Rita Lencastre, Head of Laboratory Advisory, NNIT
For biopharma, the path to more efficient and reliable process development increasingly runs through digitalization — but technology alone isn’t the answer. Success hinges on generating high-quality, well-structured data and selecting digital tools that truly fit your organization’s needs. This session explores how scientific data platforms can help teams capture critical process development data — from parameter ranges to quality attributes — in a way that supports faster decision-making, stronger regulatory compliance, and more scalable manufacturing. Equally important is how organizations choose their digital solutions: alignment with your operational model, strategic priorities, and desired level of transformation is key.
Through two real-world examples, we’ll show how a structured approach to solution assessment can help leaders avoid common pitfalls, maximize ROI, and accelerate meaningful change in process development.
Speaker: Michel Riese, Scientific Solution Consultant, Benchling
The increased PD productivity demands can be felt across the industry. While PD teams are expected to deliver more, the biggest productivity driver is AI. Take part in this session to learn how Benchling helps to digitise workflows to streamline operations, outsource tedious data cleaning to expert AI agents and ultimately helps scientists to focus on high-value experiments.
Speaker: Katja Brunner, Director, Science Strategy, BioInnovation Institute
See how breakthrough companies take shape through BII’s Bio Studio program. In this session, you’ll follow BII’s vision to guide the journey from bold scientific ideas to real-world impact in therapeutics, health tech, and planetary health. Find out how BII helps founders build strong ventures by focusing on three critical pillars: team, technology, and business case. Get practical insights on moving from academia to industry, and learn how those experiences are driving the evolution of the Bio Studio model—so you can better navigate your own path from research to company creation.
Join this session to hear about Metsystem’s ongoing development of an AI-powered platform for assessing drug responses in patient-derived organoids from metastatic cancer. This R&D effort leverages 3D time-lapse imaging and deep learning to track individual organoid viability over time—capturing heterogeneous responses and resistant subpopulations beyond the reach of traditional whole-well assays. Learn how the team is training AI models to predict cell viability with high-precision, surpassing traditional whole-well assays by identifying resistant subpopulations. Finally, hear how future work aims to expand these capabilities to classify cell death modes and distinguish malignant from non-malignant organoids—moving toward a more functional precision medicine tool.
Speaker: Lluís Riera Ponsati, Program Lead, NeumiRNA
Join this session to explore how NeumiRNA is pioneering miRNA-targeted therapies to shift neurological treatment from symptom management to disease modification. Learn how the company is harnessing omics and machine learning (ML) to refine its therapeutic strategy, optimizing clinical success for conditions such as epilepsy and Parkinsons disease.
15:15 - 15:45 - Panel: AI & Drug Discovery: Cutting Through the Hype to Deliver Real Value
Moderator: Marie Helene Andersson, Managing Director, Danish Data Science Academy
Panelists:
Jes Frellsen, Associate Professor, DTU
Julie Klint, Director, Head of Molecular Discovery & Enabling Technologies, Lundbeck
Samuel Demharter, Senior Data Scientist, Genmab
Sandy Li, Head of Scientific AI/ML Market Strategy, Benchling
AI is rapidly transforming drug discovery, but its power depends on more than models. The right data, mindset, and questions are essential. Join biotech, pharma, and academia leaders to explore AI's real impact and potential in drug discovery. We'll cover AI-ready data, the difference between foundation and task-specific AI, and the evolving role of wet/dry lab science in the next generation of R&D scientists. Drawing from experience with large-scale screening and enterprise AI, panelists will discuss how to balance AI's promise with it’s real-world limitations to drive real scientific progress.
15:50 - 16:10
From Code to Clinical Benefit: AI-powered Development of Novel Cancer Immunotherapies
Speaker: Mads Lausen, Senior Scientist, Evaxion Biotech
Evaxion is a pioneering TechBio company harnessing AI to develop novel cancer immunotherapies that deliver real clinical impact. Join this session to learn how AI-Immunology™ —Evaxion’s clinically validated, AI-driven platform—guides the discovery, design, and development of innovative treatments. Hear firsthand examples of how these therapies are already showing benefit in patients, and how the use of structured data and Benchling is helping further refine the models to accelerate progress for patients who need it most.
16:15 - 16:35
Next-Gen Biotech: Exploring Two AI-Driven Opportunities for 2025
Speaker: Sandy Li, Head of Scientific AI/ML Market Strategy, Benchling
As AI-driven innovation becomes integral to biopharmaceutical R&D, the ability to seamlessly integrate these technologies will be critical in the first-to-market race. This AI advancement presents an opportunity for biopharma to rethink and rebuild their digital infrastructure—transforming experimental data into AI-ready datasets while enhancing data accessibility, interpretability, and insight generation.
Discover how Benchling enables the seamless integration of dry and wet lab workflows, breaking down data silos and empowering broader scientific teams with AI/ML capabilities to accelerate drug discovery.
"First off, huge thanks to the Benchling team for putting this together. It’s an incredible opportunity to be here. I was here last year too, and as electronic lab notebook users, we’re blown away by how professional, well-executed, and forward-thinking this event is. It’s a game-changer for learning from the community."
Adnan Akcay, CTO
KaffeBueno
"The Nordic Digital Science & Innovation Day was outstanding—amazing speakers and a perfect blend of expertise. It brought together cutting-edge insights on life science AI applications and high-level perspectives on biotech IT infrastructure. These two elements are inseparable—you can’t have AI without robust data and computational infrastructure. It’s exciting to see both sides come together in such a forward-thinking event."
Bogumil Zimon, Bioinformatician
Circle Biomedical
Learn more about Benchling at benchling.com