What is the CORE Symposium?

CORE is an invite-only, half-day event curated for pharma and biotech leaders to have intelligent, energetic conversations around serious challenges in study execution, recruitment, and engagement. But you know we do things differently.

What makes CORE different?

CORE is for doers, not talkers. While other industry events prioritize new innovation over reality, CORE is made for clin ops leaders who need tactical fixes to the real challenges facing our industry day to day. This also means you'll never step foot in a windowless ballroom or an exhibit hall when you come to CORE--we help our attendees break out of the norm with a unique change of scenery and a fresh format.

What's in store for 2026?

CORE Symposium returns April 15, 2026 at Fenway Park in Boston! This year, attendees won't just talk about solving problems...they'll play an active role in tackling critical industry challenges together in real time.

CORE's interactive format combines conversations led by some of the industry's brightest minds with experiences designed to engage each and every attendee.

Here's a peek at the CORE Agenda at a Glance:

11:30 - 12:45: Doors Open + Networking Lunch and Welcome Address

12:45 - 1:00:  Pre-Game Crash Course: Clinical Research Cost Analysis

1:00 - 1:30: Pre-Game Analysis with Pharma Head Coaches
Rachel Ovens, Boehringer Ingelheim
Jenn Curry, Biogen
Tricia Buchheit, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
Monique Mulkern, Alexion Pharmaceuticals

1:30 - 2:30: Play Ball! Collaborative Exercise: Building a Hidden Cost Calculator

2:30 - 2:45: Exercise Wrap-Up and Group Discussion

2:45 - 3:15: 7th Inning Stretch: Networking Break

3:15 - 4:00: Panel Discussion: What's Next?
Lisa Sherman, Pelage Pharmaceuticals
Ed Tumaian, Cyclo Therapeutics
Jennifer Byrne, Javara
AJ Mills, Veristat
Rick Greenfield, RealTime eClinical Solutions
Lauren Briggs, ProofPilot

4:00 - 5:00: Change Agent Award Presentation & Cocktail Hour

Change Agent Awards

At CORE Symposium in 2025, we presented our first-ever Change Agent Award to Jenn Curry of Biogen! We're excited to honor yet another resilient and hard-working change agent live at Fenway on April 15. 

Learn more and nominate someone for the award here.