LEAD. INFLUENCE. TRANSFORM.
ACMA Medical Affairs Executive Leadership Summit 2026
Where the Future of Medical Affairs
Leadership Takes Shape
The ACMA Medical Affairs Leadership Summit returns on April 30, 2026, following a sold-out event in 2025 that left Medical Affairs & MSL Industry Leaders wanting more.
This one-day, in-person event exclusively brings together top executives and visionary Medical Affairs leaders across the Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Industries.
Why You Need to Attend – Less Talk. More Action.
20-minute power talks with 30 minutes of brainstorming & collaboration sessions for each topic.
Why You Need to Attend – Less Talk. More Action.
20-minute power talks with 30 minutes of brainstorming & collaboration sessions for each topic.
Forget 45 min didactic sessionsFocus on exchanging ideas and building relationships
Peer-Led Discussions:
Get real-world insights into challenges and innovations shaping our industry and strategies that truly make a measurable impact.
Strategic Networking:
Build powerful peer relationships with executives from leading companies in an environment designed for connection and collaboration.
Shape The Future:
An event specifically curated and designed for maximum value with actionable outcomes.
Be Part Of The Solution, Not Just The Conversation
Be Part Of The Solution, Not Just The Conversation
A Summit That Exceeds Expectations:What Leaders Said About Last Year
"Absolutely the most relevant, high-impact Medical Affairs event I've attended all year."
"The speaker lineup was world-class. Every session delivered value."
"This wasn't just a conference, it was a leadership experience."
Last year's Summit brought together Medical Affairs Leaders from over 100 companies globally, featuring speakers from:
ACMA Medical Affairs Leadership Summit Agenda:
Come away with real-world insights and strategies that will make an impact in your partnerships. Each session is comprised of 20 minute didactic presentation and 30 minute interactive exchange
Keynote Address: Turning Hope Into Action: Lessons in Resilience from the Edge of Life
Dr. David Fajgenbaum, physician-scientist, best-selling author of Chasing My Cure, and Co-Founder of Every Cure, shares his journey from a patient given last rites five times to a leader reshaping how rare diseases are treated. By turning personal adversity into scientific discovery, he pioneered a path to curing his own Castleman disease and now leads efforts to unlock treatments for overlooked conditions. In this keynote, Dr. Fajgenbaum challenges Medical Affairs professionals to adopt the same relentless mindset: executing a mission to drive meaningful change for patients.
Crisis Management in Medical Affairs: Preparation, Response & Recovery Panel Discussion
This session explores how Medical Affairs teams navigate high-stakes crises from drug safety events and misinformation outbreaks to organizational restructures and operational disruption. Panelists will share real-world examples of managing both external and internal reputational threats while preserving scientific credibility, patient trust, and regulatory alignment. Attendees will gain actionable frameworks to proactively prepare their teams, communicate with transparency, and recover stronger
Interactive Exchange
Attendees can share their distinct case examples and engage experts for precise, case-based recommendations.
Elevating Medical Affairs Leadership in the C-Suite Panel
Is your medical affairs team speaking the language of executives? This panel discussion brings leaders who have successfully championed Medical Affairs at the enterprise level to discuss how strategy is shaped, funded, and defended within the C-suite. Gain an inside look into how Medical Affairs is viewed from leadership and how to build alignment and credibility at the highest level.
Interactive Exchange
Participants get to connect one-on-one with speakers to address their own case situations and obtain targeted solutions.
Educating at the Speed of Science: How to Elevate MSLs & Educators in the Loop with Agentic AI
With the volume of scientific data accelerating, traditional education models can no longer keep pace with evolving HCP needs. This session introduces agentic AI, multi-agent systems (MAS) and systems of agent networks (SAN) that streamline evidence assessment, content creation, and omnichannel delivery.
2026 Medical Affairs Excellence Awards, Patient Advocate
Recognizing exceptional contributions to innovation, leadership, and impact in medical affairs.
Medical Affairs Leadership in Evolving Political & Regulatory Landscapes
Shifting policies, payer pressures, and geopolitical shifts continue to redefine evidence expectations, communication standards, and field engagement rules. This session unpacks the latest regulatory and political forces shaping Medical Affairs strategy.
Interactive Exchange
Participants to discuss individual cases with panelists and receive specific, personalized feedback.
Valuation Beyond the Molecule: Why Medical Affairs Strategy Is Now a Critical Signal to Wall Street
Can Medical Affairs be used as an economic signal? Engage with a learning healthcare equity analyst that will break down how institutional investors and Wall Street evaluate pharmaceutical/biotech companies and their Medical Affairs indicators, to predict performance
Interactive Exchange
Participants can pose their case-specific questions to the speakers for focused, individualized guidance.
Keynote Address: Turning Hope Into Action: Lessons in Resilience from the Edge of Life
Dr. David Fajgenbaum, physician-scientist, best-selling author of Chasing My Cure, and Co-Founder of Every Cure, shares his journey from a patient given last rites five times to a leader reshaping how rare diseases are treated. By turning personal adversity into scientific discovery, he pioneered a path to curing his own Castleman disease and now leads efforts to unlock treatments for overlooked conditions. In this keynote, Dr. Fajgenbaum challenges Medical Affairs professionals to adopt the same relentless mindset: executing a mission to drive meaningful change for patients.
Crisis Management in Medical Affairs: Preparation, Response & Recovery Panel Discussion
This session explores how Medical Affairs teams navigate high-stakes crises from drug safety events and misinformation outbreaks to organizational restructures and operational disruption. Panelists will share real-world examples of managing both external and internal reputational threats while preserving scientific credibility, patient trust, and regulatory alignment. Attendees will gain actionable frameworks to proactively prepare their teams, communicate with transparency, and recover stronger
Interactive Exchange
Attendees can share their distinct case examples and engage experts for precise, case-based recommendations.
Elevating Medical Affairs Leadership in the C-Suite Panel
Is your medical affairs team speaking the language of executives? This panel discussion brings leaders who have successfully championed Medical Affairs at the enterprise level to discuss how strategy is shaped, funded, and defended within the C-suite. Gain an inside look into how Medical Affairs is viewed from leadership and how to build alignment and credibility at the highest level.
Interactive Exchange
Participants get to connect one-on-one with speakers to address their own case situations and obtain targeted solutions.
Educating at the Speed of Science: How to Elevate MSLs & Educators in the Loop with Agentic AI
With the volume of scientific data accelerating, traditional education models can no longer keep pace with evolving HCP needs. This session introduces agentic AI, multi-agent systems (MAS) and systems of agent networks (SAN) that streamline evidence assessment, content creation, and omnichannel delivery.
2026 Medical Affairs Excellence Awards, Patient Advocate
Recognizing exceptional contributions to innovation, leadership, and impact in medical affairs.
Medical Affairs Leadership in Evolving Political & Regulatory Landscapes
Shifting policies, payer pressures, and geopolitical shifts continue to redefine evidence expectations, communication standards, and field engagement rules. This session unpacks the latest regulatory and political forces shaping Medical Affairs strategy.
Interactive Exchange
Participants to discuss individual cases with panelists and receive specific, personalized feedback.
Valuation Beyond the Molecule: Why Medical Affairs Strategy Is Now a Critical Signal to Wall Street
Can Medical Affairs be used as an economic signal? Engage with a learning healthcare equity analyst that will break down how institutional investors and Wall Street evaluate pharmaceutical/biotech companies and their Medical Affairs indicators, to predict performance
Interactive Exchange
Participants can pose their case-specific questions to the speakers for focused, individualized guidance.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: 2026 ACMA MEDICAL AFFAIRS AWARDS
Do you know a trailblazer who is redefining Medical Affairs?
A leader who has elevated the role of MSLs or driven impactful innovation in field medical strategy? ACMA is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Medical Affairs Awards, recognizing outstanding achievement, leadership, and impact in the field. Categories include:
Medical Affairs Leader Award
The recipient of this award whose led remarkable initiatives, creativity, and leadership, contributing meaningfully to their organization
Medical Affairs Organization of the Year
This award recognizes an entire organization or medical affairs team for their innovation in ensuring an excellent medical affairs team.
Medical Science Liaison of the Year
This award recognizes the exceptional performance and contributions of a medical science liaison (MSL) who has consistently gone above and beyond in their role.
Winners will be honored during a special Awards Ceremony at the Summit.
Deadline: March 1, 2026. Self-nominations welcome.
Open to individuals across pharma, biotech, and medtech.