Patient Innovator Summit 2026
Expect dynamic industry keynotes, candid fireside chats, and conversations with other biopharma leaders who share a passion for improving the patient experience.
2026 Patient Innovators Summit
Across industry keynotes, fireside chats and afternoon breakouts, biopharma commercial leaders came together to discuss what’s next for the patient experience.








































































































Topics that shaped the conversation
01
Industry outlook: two paths forward
Patient-centricity and AI innovation are reshaping the ground underneath which manufacturers operate. Leaders face a choice between treading water in today’s model or rethinking how work gets done to streamline patient access.
02
Owning the patient journey
More manufacturers are bringing Patient Services and Field Access in-house, which has implications on everything from accountability and technology needs to tracking KPIs and incentivizing teams.
03
From activity to outcomes
High-performing teams are designed, not inherited, and innovators are measuring teams on outcomes like starts, time to therapy, and persistence. What's more, budget and internal buy-in don't happen by accident. While numbers help defend and grow a team, patient and provider stories are what get remembered and shared.
04
AI along the patient journey from pilot to practice
AI is here, and it's not going away, but leaders distinguish access and adoption with value creation. Popular use cases include intake automation and prior authorization support as well as call center monitoring. The Business and IT agree: the data foundation has to come first.
Summit Speakers


Bennett Smith
SVP, Commercial


Betty Tran
Executive Director, Patient Services & Distribution


Brian Schantz
Senior Director, Patient Engagement Operations


Bridget Jones
Senior Director, Trade, Distribution, and Patient Services


Danny Sigurdson
Founder and CEO

Ellis Wheby
Director, Patient Services and Field Reimbursement

Eric Gustafson
Executive Director, Head of Field Market Access


Jennifer Lichtman
VP, Head of Market Access and Commercial Operations


Liz Austin
Executive Director


Mark Dant
Volunteer Executive Director


Sev Malkonian
VP, Patient Services, Distribution & Reimbursement
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Taco van Tiel
Head UCB USA








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