​The Future of Next-Generation Ingredients & Validation

​Hosted by Sequential | Thursday 3 December 2026 | Attenborough Room, The Mills Fabrica, London

​What does it take to turn frontier science into the next generation of personal care products, and prove it works? Join us for a day of talks, discussion and networking exploring the future of ingredient innovation and validation, from bioengineered actives and the skin microbiome to AI-driven discovery and the evidence that stands up to scrutiny.

​Hear directly from the people building what's next: award-winning founders, senior R&D leaders and scientists from across beauty, personal care and biotech, sharing sharp, practical talks rather than sales pitches. This is a room built for genuine exchange between the people shaping the next decade of the industry, and the connections you leave with are as much the point as the talks themselves.

​We're joined by keynote speaker Dr Lieve Declercq, Chief Scientific Advisor at Proya, alongside confirmed speakers from Medik8, DSM-Firmenich and The Honey Pot.

​On the day, you can look forward to:

• ​Expert talks on topics including longevity science, bioengineered ingredients, multi-omics and AI-driven discovery, product and clinical validation, and the skin microbiome

• ​A keynote address from Dr Lieve Declercq on global innovation and bringing frontier science to market

• ​A moderated panel discussion bringing all speakers together for audience Q&A

• ​Networking breaks, lunch and an informal drinks reception to close the day

​The Mills Fabrica sits just a few minutes' walk from King's Cross St Pancras, making the day easy to reach whether you're travelling from across the UK or in from Europe.

​This event is designed for senior R&D, innovation, scientific and commercial leaders at personal care, beauty and biotech companies who want to stay ahead of where the science, and the industry, is heading.

​Spaces are limited, so we'd encourage booking early to secure your seat.

​AGENDA

​9:00am — Registration & arrival coffee (60 min)
Doors open, coffee on arrival

​10:00am — Welcome & intro to Sequential (15 min)
Opening remarks and scene-setting

​10:15am — Keynote: Lieve Declercq – Proya (30 min)
Chief Scientific Advisor & VP of European Innovation
From Frontier Skin Science to Breakthrough Beauty Innovation

​10:45am — Christina Patane – Medik8 (25 min)
Senior Formulation Scientist
Blue-Sky Beauty

​11:10am — Martin Pagac – DSM-Firmenich (25 min)
Senior Scientist, Skin Biology
Mapping and Modulating the Skin Microbiome

​11:35am — Coffee break (30 min)

​12:05pm — John Milligan – The Honey Pot Company (25 min)
VP R&D
Women's Health with Next-Generation Ingredients & Validation

​12:30pm — Dr. Albert Dashi – Sequential (25 min)
Chief Science Officer & Co-founder
Building the Clinical Testing Engine

​12:55pm — Veronika Oudova – S-Biomedic (Beiersdorf) (25 min)
From Concept to Shelf

​1:20pm — Lunch break (90 min)

​2:50pm — Speaker TBA (25 min)

​3:15pm — Dr. Amir Jassim – AI Specialist (25 min)
Formerly University of Cambridge & Cancer Research UK
AI in Ingredient Discovery

​3:40pm — Roundtable discussion (45 min)
All speakers + moderated audience Q&A

​4:25pm — Networking break & cocktail hour at the pub
Informal networking, carrying on at the pub — until 7:00pm

​Sequential is the world's leading specialist CRO, trusted by more than 100 international brands to unlock the science behind personal care products. Backed by millions of clinical biomarker data points, we help accelerate research and innovation across skin, scalp, oral, intimate care, and supplements.