Evolving trade-related issues, such as tariffs, is one of many external variables that factor into the calculus in risk management. An executive panel at an upcoming DCAT Week program will provide perspectives on approaches to best identify, respond, and mitigate risk arising from geopolitical and other external events.

Building resilient supply chains
Employing effective strategies to assess and mitigate risk is crucial to building resiliency in supply chains. In an ever-changing global landscape, this becomes even more challenging where geopolitical and other unforeseen events come into play. 

The DCAT Week program, Achieving Supply Chain Resiliency Amid Geopolitical Risk, will provide insights from an executive panel—from within and outside the industry—on best practices and lessons learned on how to prepare, monitor, and respond to potential or actual disruptions due to geopolitical events and other macro environmental factors. The panel discussion will feature: Lisa Martin, Senior Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer, GSK; Sally Macaluso, Chief Procurement Officer, GE HealthCare; Alejandro Fernandez, Director, Product Planning & Fulfillment, Cisco; Carla La Montagna, Senior Sourcing Director, Biologics and Packaging, Johnson & Johnson; and moderator: Derron Stark, EY-Parthenon Partner, Strategy & Transactions – Life Sciences, Supply Chain, Ernst & Young LLP. 

The program will examine several key questions:
 • What risks arise from geopolitical factors, and how can such risks can be monitored?
 • What risk-mitigation practices should be in place?
 • How should customers and suppliers plan for response?
 • When is joint scenario planning appropriate?
 • How can joint implementation of risk mitigation be best executed?

The program, which is exclusive to DCAT Member Companies, will be held Tuesday March 18, 2025, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM. Further information, including how to register, may be found here.

Other DCAT Week education programs
In addition to the education program, Achieving Supply Chain Resiliency Amid Geopolitical Risk, DCAT Week will feature four other education programs plus the Member Company Announcement Forum.

The Member Company Announcement Forum is a much-anticipated program at which senior executives from DCAT Member Companies make major news announcements covering (1) mergers and acquisitions (M&A), including post-M&A integration; (2) significant and critical capital expansions of manufacturing and development capacity; and (3) other key corporate strategic developments. Program time: Monday March 17, 2025, 9:00–11:30 AM.

Pharma Industry Outlook with Networking Reception will feature experts from IQVIA, regarded as the gold standard for market and business intelligence for the bio/pharmaceutical industry, who will provide an overview of the current and projected performance of the industry. The program will also provide an in-depth analysis evaluating growth opportunities on a pipeline and commercial basis for small molecules, biologics, and new modalities, such as RNA molecules, cell & gene therapies, and other complex drugs. Program time: Monday March 17, 2025. 2:30–4:30 PM. Post-program networking reception: 4:30-6:00 PM.

Partnering for Innovation in Manufacturing & Supply will highlight case studies on how bio/pharma companies and their partners have collaborated to resolve difficult challenges that arise in development, manufacturing, and the supply chain. Partner companies include: CDMOs/CMOs, suppliers of raw materials or other inputs, technology services providers, or other companies. Program time: Tuesday March 18, 2025, 8:00–9:30 AM.

What’s on the Horizon: New Modalities and Promising Drug Classes will feature a special one-on-one Interview with Dr. Richard DiMarchi, former Group Vice President, Eli Lilly and Company and Novo Nordisk, and Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and the Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences, Indiana University, who is globally recognized for his foundational work in the development of GLP-1 agonists, the industry’s blockbuster class of drugs for treating obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Dr. DiMarchi will share how these highly successful drugs came to fruition and provide his perspectives on what he sees as the most promising areas of drug development, including new modalities and their potential. Program time: Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 1:30–2:30 PM.

What Makes a Customer of Choice: Are Pharma Companies & Suppliers Aligned? will feature an executive panel to provide a “buy-and-sell side” view on the initiatives that pharma companies are taking to become preferred customers of their suppliers and how suppliers are designating those “customers of choice,” including related criteria and benefits. Program time: Wednesday March 19, 2025, 10:00–11:00 AM.