8 September - 9 September 2026

From Vision to Practice: Data Digitalisation & AI in Industry

Organised by:

SCI, London, UK

Prices start from £100.00

Early bird offer ends 20 August 2026

Synopsis

The chemical and pharmaceutical industries stand at a pivotal moment. After years of experimentation and digital initiatives, the sector is finally entering a phase where AI, data digitalisation, and automation are becoming genuinely scalable, validated, and commercially transformative. Yet while progress is accelerating, many organisations still face critical questions around data readiness, model reliability, workforce adoption, regulatory expectations, and the sheer pace of technological change.

This conference is designed to meet this moment and address key challenges in this field. It showcases how cutting‑edge AI agents tailored to chemical environments, industrial machine learning, and intelligent manufacturing systems are moving from pilot projects to real‑world impact. Across pharmaceuticals, formulation and process development, and toxicology, attendees will see how predictive tools and autonomous digital workflows are already shortening development cycles and unlocking new scientific pathways, including breakthroughs made possible through quantum‑enhanced AI research.

Attendees

Looking ahead, the event explores how organisations can future‑proof their AI strategies, build robust data ecosystems, and position both large corporations and agile SMEs to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven marketplace. This conference promises to be an essential forum for shaping how the industry transforms over the next decade, and how leaders can turn possibility into practice.

This event will be of interest to:

• Industry
• AI or any technical area
• Other SCI TIGs
• Mid-career

Programme

Day 1 - Tuesday 8th September 2026

09.30: Registration & Refreshments
10.00: Opening Remarks
Professor Jeremy Frey, University of Southampton
10.10: Keynote 1
10.30: Accelerating Pre-Clinical Formulation Development with an Integrated, Data & AI-driven workflow
Michael Lerche, AstraZeneca
11.15: Refreshment break & networking session
11.45: Workshop
Fujitsu
12.30: Lunch
13.30: Lecture 1
14.00: Panel discussion 2: Scaling Intelligence: How AI Is Deployed by SMEs? Chair: Dr George Okafo, GO Pharmaconsulting
Chris Tame, Ternary Therapeutics, Satnam Surae, Twig Bio, Kalum Thurgood-Parkes, Coretech, Jack Kay, Ingenza
14.45: Refreshment break & networking session
15.15: Keynote 2
15.50: Remaining Human whilst Embracing GenAI: Principles for a Thoughtful Digital Transformation
Stephen Pearson, Syngenta
16.20: Refreshment break & networking session
16.50: Lecture 3
17.20: Closing Remarks
Professor Jeremy Frey, University of Southampton
17.30: Networking session
18.00: Close

Day 2 - Wednesday 9th September 2026

09.30: Registration and refreshments
10.00: Opening Remarks
James McDonagh, ApconiX
10.10: Lecture/Keynote
10.30: Exhibitor presentation 1
Reach Industries
11.10: Refreshment break & networking session
11.40: Exhibitor presentation 2
Fujitsu
12.20: Exhibitor presentation 3
CATSCI
13.00: Lunch
14.00: Lecture/Keynote
14.20: AI Starts with Data: Lessons from Making Scientific Data AI-Ready
Dr Matthew Partridge, Physical Sciences Data Infrastructure (PSDI)
15.00: Refreshment break & networking session
15.40: Exhibitor presentation 5
16.20: Closing Remarks
Professor Jeremy Frey, University of Southampton
16.30: Networking session
17.00: Close

Sponsorship and exhibition

Please see the sponsorship pack and email conferences@soci.org to let us know which package you are interested in.

Accessibility Grants

SCI accessibility grants are available to support SCI members with disabilities, long term health conditions, those who require a carer, and members who are nursing parents to attend SCI events. Download an application form to apply for a grant.

Venue and Contact

14/15 Belgrave Square
London
SW1X 8PS

Conference Team

Tel: +44 (0)20 7598 1561

Email: conferences@soci.org

Fees

Before early bird - ends Thursday 20 August
SCI Member - £100
Non-member - £145
SCI Student member - £45

After early bird
SCI Member - £145
Non-member - £195
SCI Student member - £60

All registrations will automatically receive a confirmation within 24 hours of registering for the event. Should you not receive written confirmation of your booking, please email conferences@soci.org.

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Booking Process/Deadlines

Booking terms and conditions

CPD Info

All delegates attending this meeting are able to claim CPD points.

Organising committee

Jeremy Frey, University of Southampton
Sam Whitmarsh, CatSci