AI in Healthcare: Hype or Hope? - AstraZeneca at 4YFN 2026

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future promise in healthcare — it is already reshaping how we discover, develop and deliver care. At 4YFN 2026, AstraZeneca brings together global and local perspectives to explore a critical question: is AI in healthcare still hype, or is it delivering real hope and measurable impact?

On March 4th, at the 4YFN Sky Stage, AstraZeneca will host AI in Healthcare: Hype or Hope?, a full-day program that combines science, innovation and real-world execution, reflecting the company’s strong commitment to advancing digital health through collaboration, data-driven science and technology applied at scale.

Morning Session – Science, Innovation & Global Impact from Barcelona

Open to the general public | English | 10:00 to 13:00

The morning sessions will focus on global innovation, scientific progress and the role of technology in transforming healthcare and R&D.

Opening Keynote – The Power of Artificial Intelligence in a Global Health Hub

Setting the strategic context for the day, this keynote will outline AstraZeneca’s global innovation vision and how AI, digital technologies and data-driven science are reshaping healthcare, R&D and patient outcomes.

• David Dellamonica, VP Head of AI at Astrazeneca

Digital Twins in Rare Diseases Clinical Development

An expert roundtable exploring how digital twin technologies are accelerating rare disease research, simulating disease progression and optimizing clinical development in areas of high unmet need.

• Ricardo Damas, VP and General Manager Alexion Iberia
• Antonio Quesada, Digital Lead Alexion Iberia
• Diego Argüello, Director Clinical Development Scientist Alexion Pharmaceuticals

From Algorithms to Impact: How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Care at Scale

A discussion on how AI solutions move beyond pilots to deliver measurable impact across healthcare systems.

• Christophe Dufour, Global Head of Digital Precision Healthcare at AstraZeneca​
• Martina Furegato, Principal / Senior Manager – RWE at Oracle Life Sciences​
• Meriem Sefta, Chief Diagnostic Officer at Owkin Dx
• Raul Herance, MD, Head of the Medical Molecular Imaging Research Group at Vall d’Hebron Research Institute

AstraZeneca Global Hub in Barcelona: How Tech Is Transforming Care

A deep dive into how digital tools, data platforms and emerging technologies are enabling more proactive, efficient and patient-centered care models.

• Marta Tolos, Executive Director Enterprise AI Platforms at AstraZeneca​
• Mario Sanger, Associate Principal AI Engineer at AstraZeneca
• Madalina Ciortan, Director AI OpsIT at AstraZeneca
• Michael Crandford, Director Commercial IT Data & AI Capabilities at AstraZeneca
• Panagiotis Sereleas, Director RDU IT Data Science at AstraZeneca
• Albert Maristany, Product Lead BIKG R&D IT at AstraZeneca

Smarter Trials for a Healthier Future

A forward-looking conversation on the evolution of clinical trials, exploring how innovation is transforming evidence generation and accelerating patient access.

• César Velasco, MD, PhD, Enterprise Innovation Director Madrid & Barcelona​
• Mercedes Luz, Sr. Director, Cluster Head Biopharmaceuticals Site Management & Monitoring;
• Emiliano Calvo, MD, PhD. Director Europa START Madrid -CIOCC Unit, Early Phase clinical trials
• Antonio L. Andreu, Scientific Director EATRIS

The Last Mile of Artificial Intelligence: From Global to Local

A practical discussion on deploying global AI strategies at local level, drawing on the experience and capabilities of the A.Catalyst Network, a global network of innovation hubs.

• Madeleine Thun, Senior Director A.Catalyst Network AstraZeneca​
• Miguel Lancha, Enterprise Innovation Lead & Global Transform Care Director at AstraZeneca Spain
• Gwen Jacquand, Digital, Health & Innovation Director at AstraZeneca France
• David Coelingh Bennink, Head of Policy at AstraZeneca Netherlands

Afternoon Session – Turning Innovation into Care at Scale

Private, invitation-only | Spanish | 14:30 to 18:00

The afternoon shifts the focus to real-world implementation, showcasing how innovation is being translated into clinical practice and healthcare system impact.

Opening the Afternoon – Leading the Transformation of the Healthcare System through a Health Innovation Hub

An institutional welcome highlighting AstraZeneca’s commitment to healthcare transformation and system-level innovation.

• Laura Colón, President of AstraZeneca Spain and Site Leader of the AstraZeneca Global Hub in Barcelona

Human in the Loop: The Next Frontier of Health Innovation

A keynote emphasizing the essential role of clinicians, patients and healthcare professionals in shaping responsible, trusted and impactful AI-driven innovation.

• Katherin Martínez-Barroso. MD, MBA. Enterprise Innovation Manager en AstraZeneca​
• Joaquín Rodríguez. MD, PhD. Digestive System Specialist. Head of Digestive Services at Quirón Salud CLM. AI advocate.

AI-Powered Oncology: From Data to Clinical Decisions

A panel exploring how AI and advanced data platforms are reshaping oncology, from integrated data to clinical decision-making.

• Ana Peiró, MD. Head of Oncology AstraZeneca
• Regina García Delgado, MD, Hematologist at Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital, Malaga, and Principal Investigator of the BE21 Group: Hematology and Immunotherapy, IBIMA BIONAND Platform
• Alfonso Cortés Salgado, MD, Medical Oncologist (Breast and Gynecological Tumors Section) at Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid
• Luis Gorospe-Sarasúa, MD, Thoracic Radiologist at Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid.

From Data to Clinical Action in Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Care

A session exploring how clinical decision support tools and integrated laboratory data improve care pathways for patients with heart failure, diabetes and chronic kidney disease — from lab results to timely clinical action

• Bernardo Valdivieso, Regional Secretary for Planning, Information, and Digital Transformation at the Regional Ministry of Health of the Valencian Government.
• Enrique Rodríguez, Head of the Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Pathology Laboratory at the Hospital Clínico de Valencia
• Emilio Flores, Head of the Clinical Laboratory at the Hospital de San Juan de Alicante
• Maribel Troya Saborido, MD, Nephrology Department, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona.

Detecting Signals, Transforming Decisions in the Clinical Setting - Artificial Intelligence and AmyloidosisInnovation

A session focused on how AI-based tools enable earlier detection of transthyretin amyloid disease (ATTR), improving diagnostic pathways and complex clinical decisions.

• Miguel Lancha Luquero, Enterprise Innovation Lead
• Manuel Marina Breysse, MD, cardiologist, CEO and co-founder of IDOVEN
• Esther González López, MD, assistant physician and clinical researcher. Familial Heart Disease Unit. Puerta de Hierro University Hospital
• Christine Gouillard, Head of Partnerships and Medical Liaison at Us2.ai
• Albert Teis Soley, MD, Assistant Cardiologist. Cardiovascular Imaging Department. Institut del Cor. Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital.

From Reactive to Proactive Care: AI-Driven Early Intervention for Chronic Patients

Real world case-based panel, demonstrating how AI and clinical data integration enable earlier detection of risk in lupus, severe asthma and COPD, transforming workflows and patient management.

• Jorge del Estal, Outpatient Pharmacy Unit, Parc Tauli University Hospital
• Javier Bachiller, MD, Head of Unit Rheumatology, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital
• Isaac Cano. CEO HealthCircuit and Ebymar Arismendi, MD Coordinator of the Severe Asthma Unit at Hospital Clinic
• Carlos Egea, MD, Head of the Pulmonology Department at Araba University Hospital and José Manuel Calleja, MD, Specialist in Family and Community Medicine at Osakidetza

Physicians and AI: Collaborating for Better Patient Care"From Reactive to Proactive Care: AI‑Driven Early Intervention for Chronic PatientsInnovation

This presentation explores how physicians and technology can collaborate to improve care, addressing opportunities, adoption challenges, and keys to safe and effective integration into clinical practice.

• Diego Benavent, MD, Rheumatologist. Bellvitge University Hospital.
• Mar Pujadas, Co-Founder & CEO at Omniloy
• Daniel Heinisch. Co-Founder & CEO at Recog Analytics

Join the Conversation at 4YFN

Beyond the stage, AstraZeneca will also have a strong presence across the official program as a sponsor of the Health Tech vertical at 4YFN 2026, complemented by a dedicated booth showcasing technology demonstrations, partner-led presentations and curated sessions focused on addressing key innovation challenges within healthcare systems.

Join us at 4YFN to explore how AI is moving from hype to hope — and how collaboration is turning innovation into better care, at scale.