Speakers
We are proud to present the following industry leaders.
Alexander Debets
Lead Clinical Supply Innovation (Prior MSD)
Dr. Alexander Debets has more than 30 years of experience in analytical and pharmaceutical R&D, having held senior leadership roles at Organon, Schering-Plough and MSD/Merck in Analytical Development, Pharmaceutical Development and Clinical Supply.
He has served as site head for development and manufacturing operations in Germany and Switzerland, including leading the successful transition of a site from R&D into commercial manufacturing. While based in the United States, he was Head of Global Clinical Supply at Merck, with end-to-end responsibility for the integrated global clinical supply chain. He also chaired several internal and cross-industry associations and forums, and most recently held a leadership role focused on innovation in clinical supply.
Dr. Debets holds a PhD in Chemistry and a Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry and Toxicology from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Avril Daly
CEO of @Retina International and President of @EURORDIS
Avril Daly is an expert in health policy and strategic planning with over 28 years’ experience working nationally, in Europe and Internationally. In that time, she has worked on the development and implementation of health and research legislation in Ireland as well as at above country level within the European Union, the WHO and United Nations.
Avril works as CEO of the patient-led global umbrella organisation, Retina International, which represents the voice of charities and foundations concerned with the promotion of retina research, access to innovative solutions and related health policy in 43 countries.
Avril has worked in health policy in the ophthalmology and rare disease space since 2000 and was CEO of the Irish NGO, Fighting Blindness for nine years. She was Head of Public Affairs for the organisation for eight years. Prior to working in the not-for-profit sector, Avril worked in publishing.
Avril has the chair of Rare Disease Ireland from 2006 to 2016 and rejoined the Board in 2024. She has held a Board Position in Rare Disease Europe – EURORDIS since 2009 and was appointed President in 2022.
Avril has held Board positions with the European Patient Forum (EPF), The European Platform for Patient Organisation Science and Industry (EPPOSI), the Health Research Charities Ireland (formerly Medical Research Charities Group) in Ireland and IPPOSI, the Irish Platform for Patients Organisation Science and Industry. She believes that patients have a critical role to play in aiding the development of appropriate interventions from concept to delivery.
In 2011 Avril was appointed by the Irish Minister for Health to a steering committee working towards the development of the Irish National Plan for Rare Diseases. The plan was published in 2014. She was appointed to the Irish Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases at the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland in 2014 and was appointed to the Rare Disease Technology Review Committee and the National Centre of Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) in 2017 to support the review process of orphan therapies that fail initial Health Technologies Assessment (HTA) for statutory reimbursement.
Avril is currently a member of the implementation committee for the Genes and Genomics Strategy in Ireland and the HSE.
Deyana Mihaylova
Senior Clinical Supply Chain Manager IQVIA
Deyana Mihaylova is an accomplished Senior Clinical Supply Chain Manager with robust expertise in global clinical trial supply management across diverse therapeutic areas. With extensive knowledge in end-to-end supply chain planning, forecasting, and logistics management, she ensures seamless delivery of clinical trial supplies across complex, multi-regional studies. With a strong focus on cell and gene therapies, biologics, and cold-chain logistics, she brings deep operational insight into the complexities of managing temperature-sensitive and high-value investigational products.
With over 10 years of experience in clinical supply chain management, her career spans multiple CROs, where she has led complex supply initiatives across diverse therapeutic areas, including a robust scope of clinical trial supplies. Deyana also possesses deep knowledge in digital clinical operations platforms, enabling her to navigate and optimize the digital infrastructure that supports modern clinical supply operations. In addition to her operational leadership, Deyana is a frequent contributor to industry interviews, public events, and collaborative forums, where she shares insights and advocates for innovation in clinical supply.
