DCAT Week is a meeting like no other. In addition to providing its members with a forum for high-level strategic meetings with key decision makers, DCAT Week offers networking events and education programs to help DCAT members expand their business network and stay informed on industry trends, analysis and best practices.

DCAT Week is hosted and organized by the Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association (DCAT), a not-for-profit, member-supported, global business development association, composed of more than 500 corporate members that includes innovator and generic drug companies and suppliers of ingredients, development and manufacturing services, and related technologies. DCAT Week attendees (92%) are high-level decision makers, with one in four attendees being C-suite executives.

Through its unique model, DCAT member companies hold private meetings with customers, suppliers and potential business partners in their reserved Business Meeting Space across eight Official DCAT Week Hotels. Although those meetings are mostly pre-scheduled, DCAT Week’s activities and events offer additional opportunities for introductions, impromptu meetings and other business connections.

Day 1: Business Intelligence with a side of Networking
From strategic corporate announcements to insights on the global trade environment to an overview of the pharmaceutical market, DCAT Week kicks off with a focus on business intelligence, data and trends.

The DCAT Member Company Announcement Forum starts the day off with short, targeted announcements by senior executives of DCAT member companies on major news from their companies impacting the pharmaceutical manufacturing value chain, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and significant manufacturing expansions.

The Forum is followed by an executive summary presentation on DCAT’s recent benchmarking study, Managing Bio/Pharma Supply Chains in an Uncertain Global Trade Environment, for which DCAT surveyed executives from bio/pharma companies, CDMOs/CMOs and suppliers to gauge their level of concern about the trade environment and the steps they are taking to confront the real and potential risks to their supply chains. The study explores actions companies might be considering from simply increasing inventories to re-thinking their entire global manufacturing and supply networks.

DCAT Week’s Pharma Industry Outlook Program with Networking Reception is invaluable for its in-depth market overview, presented by IQVIA, of the current and projected performance of the global pharmaceutical industry for both innovator and generic drugs with key data on the leading therapeutic areas and growth prospects in developed and emerging markets. The market overview will be followed by a panel discussion on the growing number of drug candidates receiving Breakthrough Therapy and Fast-Track designations from the FDA and how these accelerated approval mechanisms impact development and commercialization timelines, including manufacturing.

The Monday Night Meet-Up Networking Event, exclusively for DCAT member companies, is a fun, casual opportunity to catch up with colleagues, old and new.

Day 2: Power Breakfast, Private Equity, DCAT Week Run/Walk & More
Back by popular demand, the DCAT Week Run now includes a 2-mile walk. Participants will be bussed to and from Central Park and enjoy a workout exploring NYC’s beloved park.

Alternatively, attendees can start the morning with Power Breakfast: Executive Insights from Industry Leaders, for an inside view from industry executives on what they view as the key issues impacting pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical manufacturing and supply. Featured speakers include Mark Bamforth, President and CEO of Arranta Bio, a new CDMO focused on the human microbiome and former CEO and President of Brammer Bio, which was acquired by Thermo Fisher for $1.7 billion in 2019.

A new program, Private Equity’s Expanding Role in the Biopharma Industry: Its Impact on the Pharma Customer–Supplier Relationship, will provide insight into the opportunities and challenges presented by growing private equity (PE)-ownership in the industry and its impact on the pharma customer–supplier relationship. This program will provide in-depth analysis of the financing levels, trends, and deal-making by PE firms into biopharma companies and CDMOs/CMOs and the implications for the industry, including on development and commercialization strategies of biopharma companies and how ownership structure influences sponsor companies’ CDMO/CMO selection and supplier relationship management. Bain & Company and William Blair and Company are among the speakers.

After a busy day of meetings, the DCAT Member Company Networking Reception is the perfect opportunity to catch up with colleagues before heading out to customer dinners. With over 700 members in attendance, it is one of the largest networking events of the week.

Day 3: Women’s Networking Breakfast, Keynote Address & More
The popular Women’s Networking Breakfast will feature a presentation by Erica Dhawan, Founder & CEO of Cotential and author of Get Big Things Done: The Power of Connectional Intelligence. This engaging, fast-paced keynote will help participants understand the practice of using connectional intelligence as the key to collaboration success and leadership. The audience will learn new insights and tools to accelerate the connected power of teams, become more agile and innovative, and drive breakthrough ideas and outcomes.

The education program, Dual Priorities for Sourcing 2020: Navigating China’s Supply Challenges + Digitally Transforming Pharma, will explore two topics. Sourcing from China will look at how new environmental regulation and enforcement in China, trade and other issues are affecting chemical/fine chemical production and the export of raw materials, intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients. An expert from Johnson & Johnson will discuss the impact on supply chains and supplier risk assessment and mitigation strategies. Digital Strategies in Sourcing and Supply Management will look at disruptive digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of things, blockchain, and advanced analytics, hold the potential to transform supply chains. Experts from IBM and North Carolina State University’s Supply Chain Resource Cooperative will share current and potential use in the pharma manufacturing value chain.

Day 4: Meetings & an Elegant Finale
Following another busy day of business meetings, DCAT Week offers one final networking event—the 94th DCAT Annual Dinner—a black-tie event not to be missed. Over 2,000 DCAT members and their guests will gather on Thursday evening, March 26th in the Grand Ballroom in the New York Hilton for this festive celebration, including a keynote address by award-winning actor, producer and philanthropist, Matthew McConaughey. 

Visit www.dcatweek.org for a complete schedule of programs and events.