Must-Attend Biotech & Pharma Conferences of 2025

In a rapidly evolving industry, staying informed about the latest trends, technological advancements and research findings is essential. After a brief decline in face-to-face networking due to the pandemic, the industry is witnessing a vibrant resurgence of in-person events, particularly conferences.

These gatherings offer genuine opportunities for connection and collaboration, as companies increasingly embrace “experiential marketing” — a shift from purely digital strategies to more engaging, experience-driven interactions. Here are just a few of the numerous advantages of exhibiting at live events followed by a list of the top conferences you won’t want to miss in 2025.

Increased Brand Visibility and Awareness

Conferences serve as a prime platform for showcasing your brand to a highly targeted audience, each event often focusing on a specific therapeutic area within the industry. Whether engaging with loyal customers or introducing your company to new researchers, maintaining a strong brand presence is essential. Consistent participation in these gatherings not only solidifies your company’s standing in the industry but also fosters trust and loyalty among current and prospective clients. An eye-catching, well-designed booth can draw attention and distinguish your brand from competitors, leaving a memorable first impression.

In-Person Connection

Forbes highlights the power of emotional connections in marketing, noting that campaigns fostering such bonds can boost new account growth by 40%, while emotionally engaged customers contribute 52% more in lifetime value.¹ In-person interactions are unmatched in building these emotional ties, making your messaging more impactful when delivered by a real person rather than a digital ad or AI-generated blog. A positive exchange with your team can create lasting, favorable brand associations. Additionally, conferences offer fertile ground for forming strategic alliances and partnerships, potentially unlocking access to new markets and collaborations.

Gather Real-Time Feedback

What better way to improve your product or service than by receiving immediate feedback from your audience? Conferences present a unique opportunity to listen directly to your customers’ pain points. This not only affirms the value of their opinions but also provides your team with invaluable insights into customer needs and preferences.

Lead Generation

Conferences are a goldmine for acquiring high-quality leads, as attendees often align with your ideal customer profile. Gathering contact information at your booth or while ‘walking the floor’ paves the way for post-conference engagement, allowing you to continue the dialogues initiated at the event and explore promising business opportunities.

Live Demonstration

Exhibiting enables you to present your products or services in a hands-on manner. Live demonstrations effectively showcase the features and advantages of your offerings, capturing the interest of potential customers.

Competitor Analysis

Observing fellow exhibitors allows you to glean insights into competitors’ offerings, strategies and market positioning. This knowledge can be pivotal in refining your own business strategies and staying ahead in the market.

Top Biopharma Conferences to Attend in 2025

AACR Annual Meeting
When: April 25-30, 2025
Where: Chicago, Illinois

The AACR Annual Meeting is the event for showcasing cutting-edge cancer science and medicine, bringing together a diverse group of participants that includes scientists, clinicians, healthcare professionals, survivors, patients and advocates. It serves as a platform to share and discuss the latest advancements across various areas such as population science, prevention, cancer biology, translational and clinical studies and more.

ISPOR
U.S.
When: May 13-16, 2025
Where: Montreal, Canada

EUROPE
When: November 9-12, 2025
Where: Glasgow, Scotland

ISPOR provides an opportunity to network with HEOR, RWE/RWD and Market Access experts and thought leaders, while promoting cross-sector collaboration among various stakeholders to enable data-driven, patient-centered decision-making and more equitable and effective healthcare solutions.

R&D Procurement and Sourcing Summit
When: June 24-26, 2025
Where: Boston, Massachusetts

This summit brings together 100+ R&D preclinical, clinical procurement, sourcing and category management leaders to discuss the challenges, opportunities and advancements in preclinical and clinical procurement.

CPHI
U.S.
When: May 20-22, 2025
Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

EUROPE
When: October 28-30, 2025
Where: Messe, Frankfurt

The goal of CPHI is to connect the global network of pharma professionals and to facilitate new business opportunities, in-person collaboration and the development of meaningful connections in the pharma industry.

Targeted Protein Degradation Summit
When: October 2025
Where: TBD

The TPD & Induced Proximity Summit is a global forum that brings together industry and academic leaders to share success stories and address challenges in drug development collaboratively. This event covers the full spectrum of TPD & Induced Proximity drug development, highlighting new findings and insights.

ASCO
When: May 30-June 3, 2025
Where: Chicago, Illinois

ASCO is a global gathering of oncology professionals that promotes connection, collaboration and inspiration, with the goal of shaping the future of cancer care.

SOT
When: March 17-20, 2025
Where: Orlando, Florida

SOT provides an opportunity to network with leading toxicologists and industry professionals while learning about cutting-edge science and technology. Additionally, this conference aims to help participants advance their career through mentorship and development opportunities.

BIO International Convention
When: June 16-19, 2025
Where: Boston, Massachusetts

The BIO International Convention stands as the premier event in the biotechnology sector, bringing together 20,000 industry leaders from around the globe. Whether you are part of a public pharmaceutical company, a startup, a government agency or any other sector within the industry, this conference offers a unique opportunity to forge invaluable connections and advance your professional journey.

Tips for Making the Most Out of Your Conference Investment

SWAG

Few things draw a crowd to your booth quite like free swag! Swag items act as mobile advertisements, spreading awareness of your brand as attendees carry them around during and after the conference. “According to a Bain & Company study, 25% of people have a more positive impression of a business after receiving a branded product.”² High-quality and practical swag can enhance attendees’ perception of your company, fostering goodwill and loyalty. Be sure to offer functional swag items that are genuinely useful, avoiding the fate of the junk drawer or trashcan. Some Swag items we’ve offered in the past include solar eclipse glasses, notebooks, sunglasses, lanyards and insulated coffee mugs.

Pre-Conference Promotion

Leverage social media, email and landing pages to create buzz leading up to the event. Launch a promotional campaign to highlight your conference participation and invite attendees to schedule meetings with your team members that will be attending. Aim for 1-2 social media posts and one e-blast before the event, followed by an additional post showcasing your team at the booth during the conference.

Booth Design and Lead Generation Efforts

Your booth is often the first interaction attendees have with your brand, so ensure its design reflects your desired brand image 1and conveys your company’s service offerings clearly.

Lead generation is one of the main benefits of conference attendance. Typically, conferences have their own lead generation services, which, though costly, we recommend investing in. Many also have app versions of their lead generation tools that make it easy to download on your phone and capture leads while walking the conference floor!

Host a Happy Hour or Post-Conference Event

While hosting a post-conference happy hour involves a rather large investment, it provides an excellent opportunity to extend discussions with clients and strengthen business relationships. Such events help position your company as an industry leader while showcasing its human element.

Where will Scientist.com be in 2025?

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San Diego, CA
When: May 7th, 2025 | 11am-2pm
Where: Farmer and the Seahorse, San Diego, CA

San Francisco, CA
When: Summer 2025
Where: TBD

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When: Fall 2025
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Reach out to marketing@scientist.com to learn how you can get involved!

References

1. https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/08/21/using-experiential-marketing-when-building-or-growing-your-brand/
2. https://www.printful.com/blog/why-good-company-swag-matters