WEBINAR: Can HEOR prove its own value? A discussion with the ROI of HEOR Working Group representatives – October 8, 2026
What do biopharmaceutical companies gain in return for their investments in HEOR? Hear from HEOR leaders who have come together to address this important question.
Biopharmaceutical companies routinely fund HEOR projects to demonstrate product value, but the value these projects return to the sponsor has scarcely been explored.
The ROI of HEOR Working Group was established in 2025 to address this information gap. It is is comprised of HEOR leaders from industry, ISPOR, and consulting. Its work began in July 2025 and has progressed rapidly, presenting methods for ROI assessment and preliminary findings from three case examples at the ISPOR 2026 conference this past May.
Additional dissemination activities are underway, both in peer-reviewed and popular media. The second phase of the research is beginning, with expectations to report additional research findings at upcoming conferences in 2027.
This webinar offers a timely opportunity to hear directly from the Working Group on its methods, early case findings, and plans for phase two. Register to join the session and be part of the conversation shaping how our industry measures the value of HEOR investment.
What you will learn
- Why is ROI assessment important to the biopharma industry?
- What are the challenges in assessing the ROI of HEOR?
- How has the ROI of HEOR Working Group addressed this issue?
- What are some early lessons learned?
- How can HEOR leaders communicate the value of HEOR to their upper management?
Speakers
David Thompson, PhD
Principal Consultant, Rubidoux Research LLC
David Thompson, PhD is a health economist with more than 35 years experience consulting in the HEOR/RWE domain. He is Founder & Principal Consultant of Rubidoux Research LLC, a company dedicated to helping individuals and businesses achieve their commercial objectives in the ever-evolving HEOR/RWE marketplace. Prior to founding Rubidoux Research, he held leadership positions with various CROs and HEOR consultancies.
Dr Thompson is a long-time contributor to ISPOR, having served as Editor-in-Chief of Value & Outcomes Spotlight 2008–2020 and a member of the Board of Directors 2020–2023. He also has conducted more than 50 workshops, issue panels, symposia, and short courses at the various ISPOR conferences. Among various other affiliations, he sits on the advisory board and work streams of selected RWE policy groups, including Duke-Margolis RWE Collaborative.
He received his BS in Economics from the University of California, Riverside and his PhD in Economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Rob Abbott
CEO & Executive Director, ISPOR
Mr Abbott is a highly accomplished, visionary leader with more than 20 years’ experience providing executive-level strategic and operational leadership in businesses, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), government environments, as well as professional societies and associations. Most recently, he served as executive director and CEO of Health Technology Assessment International, a global nonprofit society focused on HTA. He is recognized for his knowledge in HTA, strategy, and stakeholder relations. He has successfully guided a number of organizations through their transformation and growth. He is also a pioneering social responsibility thinker and advisor who has authored 2 books and numerous articles on the nature of business and society. Mr Abbott holds an undergraduate honors degree from the University of Victoria and graduate degrees from the University of Toronto. Additionally, he holds professional designations as both a management consultant and an ICF-accredited coach.
Jan Hansen
Global Head of Health Economics and Value Assessment, Specialty Care, Sanofi
Dr Jan Hansen is Global Head of Health Economics and Value Assessment (HEVA), which is a function in the Global Market Access organization in Sanofi's Specialty Care business. In this role, Jan oversees global HEOR strategy development and tactical project execution. Her team’s work leads to impactful dissemination and application of HEOR across global stakeholders and healthcare systems.
Prior to joining Sanofi, Jan had an impressive career spanning over three decades in life sciences. Jan has held distinguished leadership positions at Genentech and Allergan, where she demonstrated her talent for building and guiding high-performing HEOR and access teams. Her expertise in integrating health economics and HTA considerations into development strategies has consistently led to successful product positioning and enhanced patient reach.
As a past President of ISPOR and active contributor to prestigious organizations like the National Pharmaceutical Council, AMCP Foundation, and PhRMA Foundation, Jan has established herself as a thought leader in our industry. Jan holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacy Administration from the University of South Carolina and a BS in Pharmacy from the University of Iowa, where she was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Science.
Moderator
Patti Peeples, PhD
President, The Peeples Collaborative
Dr Patti Peeples is an accomplished Healthcare Consultant and Health Economist who partners with senior management and boards of directors for business expansion, strategic planning and improved operations. As President of The Peeples Collaborative, Dr Peeples brings experience in for-profit start-ups, scaling, acquisitions, and product line extensions. Previously, she served as Vice President of Evidence and Content at Scientist.com, the world’s largest global sourcing marketplace for scientific research services, while also leading profitable marketing services expansion for the company. Dr Peeples was the Founder and CEO of HealthEconomics.Com, a global digital community of healthcare value, evidence and market access leaders acquired by Scientist.com. Widely published in the peer review literature and a frequent speaker and corporate educator, Dr Peeples serves on multiple journal editorial boards as well as facilitated graduate education through a decade of service on the Board of Grants for the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education. Dr Peeples holds a PhD in Health Economics from the University of the Sciences, an MS in Pharmaceutical Marketing, and is a registered pharmacist.
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