Michel was the first Executive Director of the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), a joint venture between the European Commission and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations. Overseeing a budget of €2 billion, he launched 59 public-private consortia addressing critical areas such as antimicrobial resistance, Alzheimer’s dementia, cancer, diabetes, immuno-inflammatory disorders, autism, chronic pulmonary diseases, and drug safety. This initiative has been instrumental in fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and regulatory bodies to drive innovation and translate scientific discoveries into clinical applications. 

Additionally, he is Field Chief Editor for Frontiers in Medicine.

A pioneering figure in infectious disease research and a founder of the field of cellular microbiology, Professor Philippe Sansonetti’s research focuses on the molecular pathogenesis of bacterial infections. His groundbreaking work on Shigella has significantly advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which this pathogen invades and kills cells. Additionally, he continues to lead efforts to develop a vaccine against dysentery, a critical need in the developing world. 

Philippe has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine. He is an esteemed member of several scientific societies, such as the French Academy of Sciences, the Royal Society of London, and the US National Academy of Sciences. 

In addition to his research, Professor Sansonetti has held influential administrative roles at INSERM, the French Ministry of Research and Technology, and chaired the Steering Committee on Diarrheal Diseases Vaccine Development at the World Health Organization. 

Philippe Sansonetti’s research continues to make a profound impact on the fields of microbiology and immunology, driving significant advancements in vaccine development and infectious disease control globally.

Prof Thomas Hartung is at the forefront of a revolution in toxicology, championing the shift from outdated animal testing methods to cutting-edge organoid cultures and the integration of artificial intelligence. His groundbreaking research has shaped regulatory sciences and safety assessments, promoting ethical and efficient practices.  

Thomas is the Doerenkamp-Zbinden-Chair for Evidence-based Toxicology in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University and as Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Konstanz, Germany, he holds joint appointments in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology.  

As director of the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) he drives efforts to replace animal tests with human-relevant, non-animal methodologies. With numerous publications and accolades, his work continues to influence global standards, fostering innovation and compassion in scientific research. 

Chief Scientific Officer 

Medable Inc, USA 

Pamela advocates for inclusive, patient-centered research and fosters collaboration among industry leaders, regulatory bodies, and patient advocates. Her visionary leadership continues to advance clinical research, aiming to improve patient outcomes and accelerate the development of new therapies.   

She is on the board of the Society of Clinical trials, the Scientific Leadership Council of the Digital Medicine Society, participates on the Good Clinical Trial Collaborative, and is a member of the National Academies of Science and Medicine: Forum on drug discovery, development and translation.

Dr Olusoji Adeyi is a leading authority in global health, specializing in the development of resilient health systems. With a medical and public health background, he has dedicated his career to strengthening health infrastructures in low- and middle-income countries. As the founder of Resilient Health Systems, he focuses on creating sustainable, adaptable health care models that can withstand crises and improve population health outcomes. 

Olusoji's extensive experience includes senior roles at the World Bank, where he led initiatives on health policies and interventions to combat diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria and at the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the Harvard School of Public Health.  

His work emphasizes the importance of integrating health systems with economic and social policies to enhance their efficiency and resilience. An influential speaker, and author, Olusoji continues to advocate for comprehensive health strategies that address both immediate and long-term health challenges globally. 

As PATH’s chief scientific officer, Melanie Saville leads a global team dedicated to the development, introduction, and scale of vaccines, medical devices, and diagnostics. Melanie is a distinguished physician specializing in virology with more than two decades of experience developing and licensing vaccines for global use. Her contributions over the past 20 years have included the development of vaccines for seasonal and pandemic influenza, as well as pediatric combinations and vaccines against rabies, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, Ebola, and SARS-CoV-2. 

Melanie previously worked as executive director of vaccine research and development at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), leading technical teams supporting vaccine development.  

She also served as the R&D and manufacturing workstream leader for COVAX, part of a global collaboration to speed development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines. 

A respected speaker and author, Melanie's vision for eradicating vaccine-preventable diseases continues to inspire the global health community. Her work at PATH is pivotal in creating a healthier and more resilient world.