The APAC Connect 2026, held in Hyderabad, India, marked a truly historic milestone for our community – the first time we brought this event to the APAC region, and what an unforgettable debut it was!
With 615 attendees, representing 114 companies across 17 countries, the scale alone speaks volumes. But beyond the numbers, it was the energy in the room that defined the moment.
It wasn’t just another event; it felt like the beginning of something bigger for our APAC community.
“What I witnessed was truly awe-inspiring. The coming together of colleagues from 19 different countries (20 if you include my home country of Wales!), the extraordinary energy and passion that shone through every session, every conversation and every smile – and above all, the willingness to help, support and encourage one another. That spirit is what makes PHUSE special.”
– Stephen Bamford, PHUSE Founder and Chairman of the Board
Highlights
The agenda featured 10 Connect Streams, designed to address both regional priorities and global challenges, encouraging open knowledge exchange among attendees. Keep reading to discover the Best in Stream winners – presentations recognised for delivering exceptional quality, insight and impact within each Stream.
Hands-on Workshops and Panel Discussions enabled deeper technical discussion, direct engagement with experts, and practical peer-to-peer exchange.
A key highlight was the India CDISC Day, which provided focused updates on CDISC implementation and regulatory alignment, supporting local priorities and collaboration. Several presentations from the PHUSE Data Standards, Governance, Implementation, Submissions & Agencies (DS) Stream also formed part of the programme.
Attendees also strengthened connections through dedicated networking opportunities, including the Welcome & Poster Event and Connect Dinner, reinforcing collaboration across organisations, disciplines and markets.
Reflections From the Chairs
– Ajay Sathe, APAC Connect 2026 Chair
"The very first PHUSE APAC Connect was a tremendous success! I was given the privilege of chairing this historic event, which is now a career highlight for me. The lively Welcome & Poster Event gave colleagues the chance to catch up and new professional connections to be made.
We followed an Indian tradition of lamp lighting, followed by an enthralling Kuchipudi classical dance performance, to invoke divine spirits to bestow upon us enlightenment and enablement.
The event was unique for two reasons:
- Hyderabad: We were back where we began – the first APAC Single Day Event was also hosted in Hyderabad! Same city, but with brand-new content and context.
- India CDISC Day: Hyderabad also played host to the India CDISC Day, integrating with our Data Standards Stream.
The theme was global capability centres (GCCs). We had two excellent keynote speeches – one from a startup-founder-turned-GCC-leader, and another from a seasoned MBA-turned-administrator-turned-parliamentarian, who discussed how industry and governments need to collaborate in driving upskilling, talent pool expansion, and growth – ultimately towards superior patient care and quality of life.
Two Hands-on Workshops gave participants a first-hand feel of emerging technologies, and our three panel discussions were so popular that we had very little standing space!
AI was a popular feature across the Connect Streams and panels. We absorbed not only what we need to learn, but also the importance of rapidly and willingly unlearning time-tested practices that no longer serve us!
The cherry on the cake was an impromptu visit from the Honourable Minister of Telangana State for Industry & Commerce, who had an interesting session with a few invited industry stalwarts before addressing the plenary audience.
Our 600+ participants from 17 countries exceeded our nervously optimistic estimates! We were fortunate to have among them PHUSE founder Stephen Bamford, PHUSE Board members Sascha Ahrweiler and Sarvesh Singh, and EU Connect Co-Chair Angelo Tinazzi.
This magnificent success was not an accident. It was the result of hard work and ingenious team effort, over the past year and more, by our co-Chair Shrishaila Patil, our sizeable team of Stream chairs and committee members, our legion of volunteers, and the PHUSE office members – several of whom were present in person. And, of course, our participants, who ranged from freshers to veterans, across multiple functions and organisations.
I thought I had retired from active work, but this event evoked so much thrill and energy that I will very much look forward to taking part in future events."
– Shrishaila Patil, APAC Connect 2026 Co-Chair
"As we conclude the APAC Connect 2026, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude. This event was a tremendous success, made possible by the collective effort, passion and dedication of everyone involved.
To our sponsors – thank you for your generous support and belief in the PHUSE mission. Your partnership enabled us to deliver a high-impact event rich with learning and innovation.
To our attendees – your energy, curiosity and engagement brought every session and conversation to life. You made the event vibrant and memorable.
To our presenters and keynote speakers – your expertise and insights shaped the conference and sparked meaningful discussions that will continue well beyond the event.
To our Stream Chairs and our Planning Committee – your collaboration and commitment were central to this year’s success. It has been an honour to work with such a passionate team.
To our volunteers – you were the backbone of this Connect. Your tireless efforts ensured everything ran seamlessly.
A heartfelt thank you to Ajay Sathe, our Chair, and Sarvesh Singh, PHUSE APAC Director – for their inspiration, support and guidance throughout the Connect. Their leadership has been instrumental in shaping this milestone event.
Overall, the APAC Connect ignited a spirit of collaboration, uniting diverse voices to shape the future of clinical data science. Breakthrough discussions on AI, data standards and innovation inspired bold ideas and practical solutions for tomorrow’s challenges. The event stood as a beacon of progress, empowering the APAC community to lead globally.
The PHUSE APAC Connect 2026 has been an extraordinary milestone for our community. I’m truly grateful to have served as Co-Chair and am excited to step into the role of Chair for the PHUSE APAC Connect 2027. I look forward to working with our community to create an even more inspiring and impactful event next year."
PHUSE Recognition Award Winners
Join us in celebrating our award winners through the PHUSE Recognition framework. These outstanding members of our PHUSE Community set the bar for us all with their dedication and collaborative spirit.
Best in Connect:
RE11: Building a Trustworthy RWD Analytic Platform: Key Considerations and Strategies – William Kuan & Ashwini Reddy, SAS
Best in Stream:
Application Development (AD) – AD06: Ravichandra Hugar & Aparna Sarju, AstraZeneca
Analytics & Statistics & Analytical Risk-Based Monitoring (AS) – AS24: Bismita Borkakoty & Priyangshu Chowdhury, GSK
Coding Tips & Tricks (CT) – CT09: Xeviers Koner, Merck
Data Standards, Governance, Implementation, Submissions & Agencies (DS) – DS10: Dhivya Kanagaraj & Arjun Rubalingam, Pfizer
Emerging Trends & Open Source Technologies (ET) – ET05: Vyom Bhatt, Syneos Health
Machine Learning, AI, Large Language Models, Data Handling & Data Engineering (ML) – ML03: Amruta Nambiar, Johnson & Johnson
Poster Presentations (PP) – PP28: Sangram Parbhane & Sandeep Mulay, Syneos Health
Professional Development (PD) – PD08: Tanushree Srivastava, Johnson & Johnson
Real-world Evidence & Data Visualisation (RE) – RE05: Vishal Goriya & Anshul Sinha, IQVIA
Scripts, Macros & Automation (SM) – SM05: Sruthy Biju & Alisha D, Pfizer
Watch our event vlog to bringing you the energy, insights and highlights from the event in just a few minutes.
A Journey Towards the APAC Connect
Attendees will have seen this poster displayed onsite – take a moment to explore it and discover the journey over the years that led us here.
Looking Ahead to the APAC Connect 2027
Building on this year’s energy and impact, APAC Connect returns even bigger in Bengaluru, India, 28–30 January 2027.
Expect bold ideas, practical insights and powerful collaboration, all driven by the unique spirit of the PHUSE Community.
Sponsorship opportunities are now available for organisations looking to position themselves at the heart of the conversation. To explore the packages, view the prospectus, explore the Return on Investment Summary, or contact events@phuse.global to find out more.
