Pharma Innovation in Motion 2026

The Lifecycle of a Pharmaceutical Container

Pharmaceutical manufacturing is evolving toward integrated, connected systems. Pharma Innovation in Motion is designed to reflect that reality.

This event explores a fully integrated approach to pharmaceutical manufacturing, connecting processing and packaging across the container lifecycle. Topics span biopharma processing, sterile and aseptic fill finish, inspection technologies, automation concepts, and advanced packaging solutions.

By focusing on the container lifecycle as a whole, attendees gain a clearer understanding of how individual technologies interact within modern, high performance manufacturing environments.

A Two Day Immersive Experience

Pharma Innovation in Motion brings together professionals from across the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical community for focused technical exchange and peer driven discussion.

Through expert led sessions, real world case discussions, and interactive dialogue, the event creates space to explore challenges, share experiences, and better understand how integrated processing and packaging strategies are applied in practice.

Morning

All Attendees
8:00–8:30 AM	Lifecycle of the Pharmaceutical Container Introduction to the pharmaceutical container lifecycle and the technologies that support it.
Two Tracks - Please choose one
	Track 1: Primary Packaging Phase	Track 2: Secondary Packaging Phase
8:30–9:10 AM	Washing and Assembly Julian Petersen Component preparation, RTU containers, closures, consumables, compliance, and supply chain considerations.	Assembly and Packaging Technologies Thomas Schmidt Design considerations, component integration, device safety, labeling, assembly, and supply chain considerations.
9:10–10:00 AM	Microbiological Trends and Annex 1 Marsha Steed Process qualification, regulatory considerations, compliance risks, and contamination control.	Assembly and Packaging Technologies (continued) Peter Grassl Pen labeling, packaging, labeler, and serialization integration trends.
10:00–10:45 AM	Networking Break
10:45 AM–12:45 PM	Processing, Aseptic Fill Finish, and Annex 1 Interpretation Julian Petersen & Dr. Birte Scharf First air principles, isolator considerations, open-door vs. closed-door setup, no-touch transfer (NTT), qualification, validation, and interactive discussion.	Packaging Solutions Peter Grassl & Thomas Schmidt Flexible cartoning lines, end-of-line packaging, CDMO considerations, integrated secondary packaging case studies, and pharma package design considerations.
12:45–1:45 PM	Lunch

Afternoon

All Attendees
1:45–2:45 PM	Automatic Visual Inspection (AVI) Christian Kolic AI-driven inspection, digital twins, container closure integrity considerations, Annex 1 impact, High-mix, low-volume inspection, and future inspection concepts.
2:45–3:15 PM	Networking Break
3:15–4:30 PM	Turnkey Solutions Peter Grassl & Tobias Noll How integrated solutions connect primary and secondary packaging, including end-to-end line integration, validation, controls strategy, and customer case studies.
4:30–5:00 PM	Summary and Wrap-Up

Evening

All Attendees
6:00–8:00 PM	Networking Dinner All attendees welcome. Please RSVP during registration.

Peter's Bio

Peter Grassl is a pharmaceutical technology leader with 12 years of experience, primarily in inspection and secondary packaging. Combining a mechanical engineering background with strong business expertise, he is passionate about translating industry trends and emerging technologies into customer value. Throughout his career with Körber Pharma, Peter has held leadership roles in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States, working closely with global customers to drive innovation, collaboration, and successful packaging solutions in the pharmaceutical industry.

Tobias's Bio

Tobias Noll is a turnkey management leader with a decade of experience delivering complex manufacturing solutions for the pharmaceutical industry. His career has progressed from production and engineering to Turnkey Management, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the full project lifecycle. Specializing in GMP-compliant and Annex 1-driven environments, Tobias leads groninger's Turnkey Management team as the primary customer interface, driving collaboration, reducing complexity, and delivering innovative, high-quality solutions for pharmaceutical manufacturers worldwide.

Christian's Bio

Christian Kolic is Product Manager for Inspection Machines at Körber Pharma Inspection in Germany. With more than 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical product inspection, he plays a key role in developing and advancing inspection technologies that support quality, compliance, and operational efficiency. In his current role, Christian is responsible for maintaining and expanding the product portfolio while leading market and technology analysis, product development initiatives, and projects focused on bringing new inspection solutions and services to the pharmaceutical industry.

Deanne's Bio

Deanne Gonsalves is Director of Global Business Development for Körber Pharma Packaging Materials. With extensive experience across pharmaceutical and consumer packaging, she specializes in helping customers develop packaging solutions that balance regulatory requirements, operational efficiency, and brand objectives. Before joining Körber Pharma Packaging Materials, Deanne held commercial and account management roles with WestRock and Catalent, providing her with broad industry knowledge spanning packaging development, manufacturing, and customer engagement. She is passionate about delivering innovative, high-quality packaging solutions that support the evolving needs of the pharmaceutical industry.

Julian's Bio

Julian Petersen is Global Head of Business Development Pharma at groninger, a leading provider of fill-finish equipment for the pharmaceutical industry. With experience spanning pharmaceutical manufacturing and semiconductor technologies, he brings deep expertise in aseptic processing and industry trends. Julian is an active contributor to PDA, serving on advisory boards, co-leading the Sterile Processing Interest Group, and supporting industry task forces focused on aseptic filling and RABS. He also contributes regularly to ISPE, BioPhorum, and global industry conferences.

Thomas's Bio

Thomas Schmidt is Head of Assembly Technology at groninger, where he has been advancing automated assembly solutions since 1998. With extensive experience in system design and process optimization, he specializes in developing high-precision production technologies for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Thomas plays a key role in driving innovation in assembly systems that help manufacturers improve efficiency while meeting stringent quality and regulatory requirements. He brings a practical, solutions-focused perspective to automation, integration, and next-generation manufacturing technologies.

Marsha's Bio

Marsha Steed has over 30 years of experience as a microbiologist working in the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology and Medical Device fields. Marsha is the Founder and President of Steed MicroBio, LLC which is an independent microbiology consulting firm and a Senior Microbiology Associate/Sterility Assurance Expert at Jeff Yuen & Associates, Inc. consulting firm. Marsha is a globally recognized consultant specializing in sterility assurance and contamination control matters in pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies.

Marsha served as a USP Microbiology Expert Committee member (2020 – 2025 Cycle) and the chair of the USP Microbial Control and Sterility Assurance Subcommittee. Marsha studied Biology at Western New England University in Springfield, MA.

Marsha is active in industry and currently serves on the Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) ATMP Advisory Board and has previously served on the PDA Education Advisory Board (EAB); Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and has served on numerous PDA Task Forces and meeting planning committees and has been the chair of the PDA Annual Meeting and PDA Microbiology Meeting. Marsha is a former notified body ISO inspector.

Birte's Bio

Dr. Birte Scharf has over eleven years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including six years focused on aseptic processing technologies. She combines her passion for science and technology through her work at Franz Ziel GmbH, a manufacturer of isolator technology and provider of GMP compliance services. As a Senior Scientist within the GMP Compliance team, Birte focuses on GMP-compliant process integration as well as the scientific and compliance aspects of R&D projects. She earned her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Biology from the University of Münster, researching treatments for uropathogenic E. coli.