Senior Industry Leaders Will Meet at Pharma Smart Manufacturing 2026
Manufacturing executives from leading pharmaceutical companies will gather in Copenhagen on 13–14 October 2026 to discuss AI, Industry 5.0, MES, digital twins, automation and the future of pharmaceutical production.
As pharmaceutical manufacturers face mounting pressure to scale emerging technologies and meet tightening regulatory expectations, the industry's most senior production and digital leaders are converging on Copenhagen this autumn for Pharma Smart Manufacturing 2026. It's a two-day conference dedicated entirely to practical implementation in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The event is built for manufacturing executives who are responsible for driving real change on the shop floor.
The Manufacturing Challenges That Can No Longer Wait
Pharmaceutical manufacturers across Europe are navigating a convergence of pressures that are reshaping how competitive production looks in 2026 and beyond.
Scaling AI and automation beyond isolated pilot projects remains the single biggest operational gap. Alongside this, manufacturers are grappling with the need to modernise legacy facilities without disrupting production, reduce unplanned downtime through predictive maintenance, maintain data integrity across increasingly complex digital environments, and deliver measurable GMP and regulatory compliance as frameworks — including Annex 11, ALCOA++, and 21 CFR Part 11 — continue to evolve.
They are business performance problems, with direct consequences for production output, regulatory standing, and cost competitiveness.
What the Programme Covers
Pharma Smart Manufacturing 2026 addresses the manufacturing agenda that matters to production leaders. Key topics across the two-day programme include AI validation in GMP manufacturing environments, smart factory design and implementation, MES and electronic Batch Manufacturing Record (eBMR) deployment, digital twins for manufacturing and supply chain optimisation, IT/OT integration, predictive maintenance strategies, data integrity and ALCOA++ compliance, and sustainable and net zero manufacturing pathways.
The programme goes beyond presentations. Two focused workshops run alongside the main conference: Building Your AI Validation Playbook and Data Integrity & ALCOA++ in Digital Manufacturing Systems. Both workshops are designed for hands-on application. Extended Q&A sessions and a dedicated emerging technology panel round out the agenda, giving attendees space to interrogate ideas rather than simply receive them.
Speakers With Real Implementation Experience
Attendees will hear directly from senior manufacturing and digital leaders representing some of the world's most recognised pharmaceutical and life sciences organisations, including Sanofi, Merck, Novo Nordisk, BioNTech, Bayer, Takeda, Siemens, and Kyowa Kirin. The emphasis throughout is on peer-to-peer learning. Attendee will learn what was built, how it was validated, what failed, and what delivered measurable ROI.
Pharma Manufacturing 5.0
For manufacturing professionals responsible for modernising pharmaceutical operations, the conference offers a rare opportunity to benchmark digital manufacturing strategies against real implementation projects, reduce the risk of costly technology decisions, and accelerate transformation timelines by learning from organisations that have already navigated the journey. Executive networking across both days, including a dedicated reception, ensures that relationships built here extend well beyond the conference itself.
Previous attendee from Takeda, Maud Destrée, Digital and Data Sciences Lead put it: "The event delivered valuable insights, highlighting the importance of balancing technological innovation with a strong human-centric, environmentally sustainable approach. Sincere thanks to the organizers and fellow speakers for making this event so inspiring."
Event Details
Pharma Smart Manufacturing Conference 2026
Scandic Spectrum, Copenhagen, Denmark
13–14 October 2026
www.fleming.events | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fleming is a conference and training organiser operating across Europe, with a specialised in life sciences, and industrial digitalisation.
