Bio-Europe is repositioning its annual conference to expand beyond its traditional partnering focus into what organisers describe as a broader biopharma strategy forum, aiming to bring together senior decision-makers across pharma, biotech and investment.

The 2026 edition of Bio-Europe will take place in Cologne, Germany, from 9–11 November 2026, and is being presented as an evolution of the event’s role within the global life sciences ecosystem. Rather than focusing primarily on dealmaking and partnering, the conference will now incorporate a wider strategic agenda spanning regulation, clinical development, manufacturing, policy and financing.

Organisers said the move reflects increasing complexity in the sector and the need for more integrated decision-making across functions that have traditionally operated in silos. The expanded programme will be structured around seven integrated tracks, alongside plenary sessions focused on industry-wide challenges and longer-term strategic direction.

Claire Macht, senior portfolio director at Informa Connect, said: “BIO-Europe is the epicenter of biotech – in Europe, for the world. Today’s increasingly complex policy and operating environment demands cross-border collaboration and end-to-end thinking. Our renewed vision reflects this reality, as BIO-Europe evolves beyond Europe’s largest partnering event to become the neutral convening ground where senior decision-makers forge partnerships, shape strategy and set the agenda for the biopharma industry worldwide, across the full value chain.”

The organisers said the repositioned format is intended to attract a broader range of C-suite executives, with a stronger emphasis on strategic leadership discussions alongside traditional partnering activity. The aim is to create a setting where dealmaking and long-term planning can sit alongside each other, rather than existing as separate conference tracks.

Jeremy Levin, executive chairman at Ovid Therapeutics, commented: “BIO-Europe has long been a critical forum for our industry, consistently bringing together the pharma and biotech C-suite, leading investors and strategic partners to advance the conversations that shape biopharma’s direction. In an era where biotechnology has become a matter of economic strength, public health and geopolitical importance, the broad, strategy-led program reflects the conversations our industry needs today, and we look forward to engaging across the full breadth of the agenda.”

Dr Hubert Birner, managing partner at TVM Capital Life Sciences, added: “The breadth of BIO-Europe’s program solidifies its status as the place to be for all leaders across the biotech ecosystem. BIO-Europe presents a unique opportunity for innovators and decision makers to strategize and collaborate in Europe, with impact extending far beyond.”

The event has historically been one of Europe’s largest life sciences partnering conferences, drawing thousands of senior leaders from biotech, pharma and investment firms across Europe, North America and Asia. The latest repositioning continues a wider industry trend towards more integrated forums that combine scientific, operational and financial perspectives in a single setting.

Bio-Europe said the 2026 edition will retain its established partnering infrastructure while expanding the content programme to better reflect cross-functional decision-making across the biopharma value chain.