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The Evidence Base Post

Countdown to Montreal: Behind the scenes of ISPOR 2025

  • The Evidence Base

The global health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) community is turning its attention to ISPOR 2025, the leading international conference from ISPOR—The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research. Taking place from May 13–16 in Montreal, Canada, the event will bring together thought leaders, researchers, and decision makers from around the world. In this preview, Rob Abbott (CEO), Laura Pizzi (Chief Science Officer), and Mitch Higashi (Associate Chief Science Officer) offer insights into the conference theme, program development, and what attendees can look forward in Montreal. 

It’s great to speak with you again. How are preparations coming along for ISPOR 2025? 

Rob Abbott: Thank you. It’s always a pleasure speaking with The Evidence Base. Preparations for ISPOR 2025 are going extremely well. As you know, each year, ISPOR hosts two leading conferences that bring together a multistakeholder audience that represents the global HEOR community. This is no small undertaking and I’m enormously grateful for my team, my Board of Directors, and the wide ISPOR membership and other crucial collaborators – all of whom pull together to create something very special each year. ISPOR 2025 will be no different and I’m really looking forward to welcoming as many people as possible to join us in Montreal, Canada. 

The conference theme sets the tone for the entire event. Could you share what the theme is and how it builds on those from previous years?  

Rob Abbott: This year’s conference theme, “Collaborating to Improve Healthcare Decision Making for All: Expanding HEOR Horizons”, underscores the pivotal role of HEOR in transforming healthcare systems. By fostering cross-sector collaboration among researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and industry leaders, the theme highlights how HEOR can empower data-driven, patient-centered decision-making that leads to more equitable, accessible, and effective healthcare solutions. ISPOR’s vision is a world in which healthcare is accessible, effective, efficient and affordable for all. And our work in support of this vision is taking place at a time when healthcare systems are growing more complex, and patient needs are getting more diverse. As a result, HEOR must actively engage broader audiences, including healthcare regulators, global health organizations, payers, investors and underrepresented communities, to name a few. At the same time, we need to ensure that the HEOR insights that emerge from events like our conferences are more accessible and actionable by policy and decision-makers. In this way, our field can more effectively shape policies, optimize resource allocation, and advance value-based decision-making. 

Laura, how are you and the program committee shaping the agenda to reflect ISPOR’s strategic priorities? 

Laura Pizzi: We’re thinking carefully about the intersection of science and policy. Now, more than ever, we need policies that support strong evidence in healthcare decisions and, conversely, we also need strong evidence to inform policies. To that end, we’ll focus on a few major themes: government policies related to pricing, reimbursement, and access – for example, Medicare Drug Price Negotiation (MDPN) in the US – what have we learned from the first 10 drugs that were assessed? How can those learnings be applied to improve the process moving ahead? What improvements to the process do we need in order to ensure that HEOR is pivotal to informing pricing? 

The plenary sessions are always a highlight. What topics will they focus on this year, and can you share any details about the speakers? 

Laura Pizzi: Along the lines of the intersection of science and policy, the first plenary, led by Greg Daniel from Eli Lilly, will explore the potential impact of government price-setting programs on innovation. The second panel, led by Nicole Mittman of Canada’s Drug Agency, will focus on building health technology assessment (HTA) for the future. The panel will discuss what’s needed in terms of increasing the role of real-world evidence (RWE) in HTA decisions. It will discuss the growing importance of an expanded definition of value, with a vision towards achieving whole health for individuals and populations. As readers may know, Canada is a world leader in HTA and so I’m really looking forward to taking in the conversation so that I can work with our talented ISPOR member scientists to help build that future. The third plenary, led by Elisabeth Oehrlein from Applied Patient Experience will focus on a specific methods topic – addressing the challenge of surrogate endpoints. 

Spotlight sessions are known for showcasing innovation in HEOR. Mitch, what can attendees expect from these sessions in 2025? 

Mitch Higashi: Our spotlight sessions continue to draw significant attention from a growing and diverse group of stakeholders. For ISPOR 2025, we have identified three important issues for our members: MDPN, generative AI, and cost-benefit analysis. 

The MDPN Spotlight will bring together academic and policy experts to discuss the latest category of drugs selected for government negotiations: physician-administered drugs. Attendees can look forward to a discussion about anticipated spillover effects into the commercial health insurance markets. 

As the field of Generative AI moves from theory to practice, HEOR professionals have expressed strong interest in training and tools designed to reinforce the critical role of human oversight. The Prompt Engineering Spotlight brings together experts in computer science and HEOR to explore key prompt engineering techniques designed to maximize HEOR productivity and quality of results. 

The Cost-Benefit Analysis Spotlight will discuss the foundational methods approach that policymakers use to evaluate investment decisions across sectors. Attendees will gain insight into the decision-making process that ultimately allocates resources to the healthcare sector. Distinguished thought leaders in cost benefit analysis and public finance will share their insights into the latest methodological advancements and their implications for health policy and economic assessments. 

ISPOR continues to evolve alongside the global HEOR landscape. Which sessions will reflect this growing diversity and international focus? 

Laura Pizzi: In general, we will have a strong presence of Canadian scientists and stakeholders participating in this conference. While that may seem to be expected, the influence of Canada as a world leader in HEOR and HTA will really shine through. We’ll also have sessions related to international collaborations involving Canada and others, as we continue to see the health technology assessors and regulators from individual countries banding together to identify consolidated guidance. And, of course, several ISPOR chapters will convene at the conference – Brazil and Mexico to name two. Beyond this conference, we’ll be turning our attention to finish the program for our upcoming RWE Summit in Tokyo, which will cover the current state of RWE use in the Asia Pacific region as well as prioritized needs for advancing RWE in the region, such as increased availability of high-quality data. 

What advice would you give to first-time attendees to make the most of their experience at ISPOR 2025 in Montreal? 

Mitch Higashi: This year’s annual international conference centers on the pivotal role of HEOR in transforming healthcare systems, highlighting how HEOR can empower data-driven, patient-centered decision-making that leads to more equitable, accessible, and effective healthcare solutions. With many sessions covering the latest methods, regional perspectives, therapeutic innovations, and policy developments, there’s something for everyone regardless of where you are in your HEOR journey. Some tips I recommend are: 

  • Discover the Online Program 

For first-time attendees heading to Montreal, the key is preparation – knowing what’s available and how to navigate it. To get the most out of your time, I’d recommended exploring the conference webpage to find out more about the online program, learning formats, and other important conference information. 

  • Download the ISPOR Mobile App 

The ISPOR 2025 mobile app is available for iOS and Android and, enables attendees to browse and search the conference program, create a personal schedule, find exhibitors, connect with other attendees, and more! Details on downloading the mobile app can be found on the ISPOR 2025 microsite. 

  • Consider the Digital Conference Pass 

The ISPOR 2025 Digital Conference Pass is a separate registration that includes recordings of nearly all the educational sessions, plenaries, spotlights, and other content from the conference, with viewing access from May 23 until June 27, 2025. Those who have already registered for the conference can add the Digital Conference Pass through their existing registration. [Sign into ISPOR account and navigate to ISPOR 2025 registration (under “My Events”).]   

  • Join us for the ISPOR 30th Anniversary 

This year, ISPOR is celebrating 30 years of HEOR excellence and looking toward a future of healthcare transformation. ISPOR 2025 attendees are encouraged to join the Society at the ISPOR Booth (#1305) on Wednesday evening from 6:00 – 6:30PM for a special “Cheers to 30 Years” booth event. 

  • ISPOR Membership and Benefits 

With nearly 18,000 individual and chapter members from more than 100 countries worldwide, ISPOR members lead the field in advancing the science that informs healthcare decisions. Individuals can learn more about becoming a member here. 

ISPOR Membership provides members with the following benefits: 

  • Join the Society's Scientific and Health Policy working groups (task forces, special interest groups, and council working groups) that contribute to the high quality, consensus nature of ISPOR's HEOR resources to advance HEOR and its use in healthcare decisions.  
  • Online communities provide an interactive resource for ISPOR members to connect around the world. Communities offer members the opportunity to engage in the conversation, contribute resources, share experiences, learn about volunteer opportunities, and provide HEOR content. 

Looking ahead, ISPOR has two more conferences planned for this year. Can you tell us more about what to expect from these events and how people can get involved?  

Mitch Higashi: ISPOR is excited to return to the Asia Pacific region with the ISPOR Real-World Evidence Summit 2025: Through the Lens of Asia Pacific (September 28–30, 2025, Tokyo, Japan). This Summit will bring together top experts, decision-makers, and industry leaders to explore the latest breakthroughs, share cutting-edge research, and discuss innovative solutions to the region’s most pressing healthcare challenges. 

Later in the year, ISPOR Europe 2025 (November 9–12, 2025, Glasgow, Scotland) will be the one stop destination for HEOR professionals as they navigate the major trends in health policy and technology that are shaping Europe and the world. This theme emphasizes the importance of strengthening partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem to accelerate patient-centered decision-making on healthcare value and access. Patients are central to ISPOR’s mission, which is reflected in the Europe 2025 theme, "Powering Value and Access through Patient-Centered Collaboration". 

Interviewees 

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. 

Laura Pizzi 
Chief Science Officer, ISPOR 

 

Dr Laura Pizzi is Chief Science Officer for ISPOR. In this role, she provides strategic scientific leadership, overseeing the organization’s major initiatives, including the development of ISPOR’s science strategy, content priorities, and global initiatives such as Special Interest Groups, the Patient Council, regional Patient Representative Roundtables, Health Technology Assessment (HTA) roundtables, and the organization’s AI and Digital Health member initiatives. For nearly 25 years, she has led interdisciplinary teams of methodologists, statisticians, and clinicians to design and conduct economic and outcomes analyses on healthcare interventions and is a frequent author, speaker, and mentor on the topic. At ISPOR, she leads the organization’s scientific strategy and initiatives in collaboration with ISPOR's global members and stakeholders. 

Mitch Higashi 
Associate Chief Science Officer, ISPOR 

 

Mitch Higashi is the Associate Chief Science Officer of ISPOR’s leadership team. Dr Higashi contributes to the development and deployment of ISPOR’s science and content strategies, and collaborates with members, groups, stakeholders, and staff to advance initiatives that increase awareness, understanding, and application of HEOR around the world. Prior to ISPOR, Dr Higashi served as Senior Vice President, HEOR at GeneDx, Vice President, HEOR at Bristol-Myers Squibb, and has worked in related roles at GE Healthcare and GlaxoSmithKline. Dr Higashi earned his PhD in health economics and outcomes research at the University of Washington. 

Disclaimer 

The opinions expressed in this feature are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Evidence Base® or Becaris Publishing Ltd.