Themes shaping ISPOR 2026: The growing relevance of HEOR as a strategic, future-ready function

As the global HEOR community prepares for ISPOR 2026, this series explores the key themes emerging across the program and what they signal for evidence generation, decision-making, and the future of the field.

In the current global healthcare environment, health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) and integrated evidence development have become increasingly important. At the same time, how these functions are recognized, positioned, and resourced is under greater scrutiny. Flagged by ISPOR—The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research as the seventh-ranked trend in its 2026–2027 Top 10 HEOR Trends report, the “relevance of HEOR” reflects growing expectations that evidence should inform decisions earlier, faster, and with greater impact.

In this fourth article in our “Themes shaping ISPOR 2026” series, we highlight sessions at the conference that position HEOR not as a downstream function, but as a strategic capability embedded across organizations.

What can attendees expect to learn from these sessions?

These sessions will explore how HEOR can demonstrate value beyond evidence generation, including its role in supporting executive decision-making, informing investment strategy, and shaping policy discussions. Attendees can expect insights into approaches for estimating return on investment, developing meaningful impact metrics, and strengthening the link between evidence and decision-making across commercial, medical, and access functions.

There is also a strong focus on capability building, with sessions examining the skills required for HEOR professionals to operate effectively in a changing environment, including leadership, communication, and navigating the impact of AI and evolving data expectations. Across these sessions, speakers will discuss how HEOR defines and demonstrates success, both in terms of business impact and policy influence.

Selected sessions

The how’s and whys of estimating return on investment (ROI) of HEOR to the biopharmaceutical industry

Date and time: Monday May 18, 2026, 10:30am – 11:30am
Moderator: Christopher M. Blanchette (Novo Nordisk)
Speakers: David Thompson (Rubidoux Research LLC), Montserrat Vera-Llonch (Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) and Craig Roberts (Merck & Co., Inc.)

Building your HEOR skill set: Core skills for advancing your career

Date and time: Monday May 18, 2026, 12:15pm – 1:15pm
Moderator: Abhijit Gadkari (Novartis)
Speakers:) David Bruhn (Otsuka), Grace E Fox (OPEN Health), Haijun Tian (Eli Lilly) and Min Yang (Analysis Group)

The business of evidence: HEOR for C-suite decision making

Date and time: Monday May 18, 2026, 3:15pm – 4:15pm
Moderator Christopher M. Blanchette (Novo Nordisk)
Speakers: Paulo Carita (Sanofi), Jaime Rubin Cahill (Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), Tommy Bramley (Cencora) and Simu Thomas (Alexion)

The metrics behind the money: Case studies and insights from bridging health economics and investment

Date and time: Monday May 18, 2026, 4:45pm – 5:45pm
Moderator Melanie D Whittington (Leerink Center for Pharmacoeconomics)
Speakers: Meng Li (Tufts Medical Center; Stifel), Richard Xie (RA Capital Management) and Sorochi Van Sickle (Patient Square Capital)

The evolving RWE executive: Navigating AI disruption and changing data preferences

Date and time: Tuesday May 19, 2026, 12:15pm - 1:15pm
Moderator: Doug Foster (Advanced Data Sciences LLC)
Speakers: Shuvayu Sen (Merck & Co.), Rachele Hendricks-Sturrup (Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy) and Stephanie Reisinger (Flatiron Health)

Communicating value in the age of AI—skills, tools, and confidence for HEOR careers

Date and time: Tuesday May 19, 2026, 3:15pm - 4:15pm
Moderator: Irwin Tran (NextLeader Coaching)
Speakers: Chintan Dave (Rutgers University), Juan-David Rueda (AstraZeneca) and Sonya Snedecor (Science Clarity)

HEOR as a compass, not a roadblock: How and when development-stage biotech companies should leverage HEOR

Date and time: Tuesday May 19, 2026, 12:15pm - 1:15pm
Moderator: William J Canestaro (University of Washington)
Speakers: Jen Fine (Abivax), Zsolt Hepp (Seattle Genetics), Neal Masia (EntityRisk, Inc.), Amanda Cole (Office of Health Economics) and Zachary Strasser

Can new approaches to estimating dynamic efficiency help to maintain both access and innovation in pharmaceutical markets?

Date and time: Tuesday May 19, 2026, 4:45pm - 5:45pm
Moderator: Robert J Nordyke (BlueRidge Life Sciences)
Speakers: Robert B McQueen (University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science), Anirban Basu (University of Washington) and Julie Patterson (National Pharmaceutical Council)

Measuring what matters: A new blueprint for HEOR impact metrics

Date and time: Tuesday May 19, 2026, 4:45pm - 5:45pm
Moderator: Yamini Misra (AESARA)
Speakers: Jan E Hansen (Sanofi), Kinga Borsos (Boehringer Ingelheim) and John O'Donnell (Madrigal Pharmaceuticals)

From engagement to strategy: an evidence-based framework for evaluating patient-centricity in the pharmaceutical industry

Date and time: Wednesday May 20, 2026, 8:00am – 9:00am
Moderator: Jennifer Miller (Yale School of Medicine)
Speakers: Pamela Gavin (National Organization for Rare Disorders), Alan Balch (Patient Advocate Foundation and National Patient Advocate Foundation) and Cosmina Hogea (Gilead)

Coverage of ISPOR 2026 by The Evidence Base 

Our editorial team will be attending some of these key sessions, where we’ll be sharing key insights in our daily round-ups published at the end of each day of the conference. Follow The Evidence Base on LinkedIn for live updates throughout the meeting. And for exclusive post-event analysis and session round-ups, register on our site to receive regular updates.