Held in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA the Hackathon is a two-day immersive experience designed for students, recent graduates, and professionals with one to five years in the industry. It’s a space where diverse teams collaborate, ideate, and engineer solutions to real-world challenges posed by the 2025 ISPE Hackathon Steering Committee and this year’s sponsor, Genentech/Roche.
This year’s theme is “Beyond the Vial: Define the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing to enable and supply patient-centric drug delivery solutions.” This theme reflects the industry’s shift away from traditional vial-based formats toward more flexible, user-friendly delivery systems like pre-filled syringes, auto-injectors, and on-body pumps. It’s a challenge that demands creativity, technical insight, and a deep understanding of patient needs.
Ashutosh (Ash) Anand, Senior Staff, Manufacturing Technical Operations at Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Chair of the 2025 Hackathon Planning Committee, leads a team of dedicated professionals who work months in advance to shape the experience. “We build the problem statement in close collaboration with our sponsor Genentech/Roche.” The goal is to reflect on the real challenges facing the pharma industry today, and to incorporate several key segments of the industry.
The planning process is rigorous, involving weekly and bi-weekly meetings to refine the theme, select coaches and judges, and ensure every detail aligns with the hackathon’s mission. As the saying goes, “the devil lies in the details.”
This year, 2025 ISPE Hackathon Committee Co-Chair Peyton Myers brings a unique perspective to the planning team. After attending the 2023 ISPE International Emerging Leader Hackathon at the 2023 ISPE Annual Meeting & Expo in Las Vegas, he experienced his first deep dive into biopharma, which opened several new possibilities within the industry. The following year, as part of the planning committee, he supported Ash Anand during his term as 2024 ISPE Hackathon Committee Co-Chair, gaining valuable insight into the planning process. Working behind the scenes showed Peyton Myers how a small, committed team can build a challenge that mirrors real industry issues.
Together, the Chair and Co-Chair help shape a problem statement grounded in industry in industry terms in collaboration with the sponsor. They build around pillars that reflect real challenges. The Chair and Co-Chair believe the hackathon is where future leaders can start building their future. Students, recent graduates, and young professionals working in the life sciences sector are welcome to participate.
The 2025 ISPE International Emerging Leader Hackathon provides the opportunity to step into the future of the industry. Over course of two days, participants will collaborate with peers, learn from seasoned mentors, and tackle a challenge that reflects the real complexities of pharma manufacturing.
As Peyton Myers, Co-Chair of the 2025 ISPE Hackathon Committee, puts it, “Change is coming faster and faster as the years go by, leaving a lasting impact in our industry. Learn how to prepare for those changes early in your career with the 2025 ISPE International Emerging Leader Hackathon in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA this October.”
In the words of Ash Anand, Chair of the 2025 ISPE Hackathon Committee, “I look forward to welcoming you all for the 2025 ISPE International Emerging Leader Hackathon in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, this October.”
In closing, Peyton Myers shares, “Exploring options beyond the vial is just the beginning. The future is yours to build.”
The ISPE International Emerging Leader Hackathon is set for Saturday–Sunday, 25–26 October.
Learn more about the ISPE International Emerging Leader Hackathon.
The ISPE International Emerging Leader Hackathon will take place during the 2025 ISPE Annual Meeting & Expo, 26–29 October, in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.>
