2026 Program

Morning plenary

09:00 – 09:30: Doors open and welcome coffee

09:30 – 09:45: Welcome message

Keynote session

09:45 – 10:15: Opening Keynote

Speaker: Tim Van Hauwermeiren, Chairman of the Board, Argenx

10:15 – 11:00: Patient spotlight: Can Belgium Lead the Immunology Revolution?

Belgium holds a unique position at the crossroads of antibody science, translational research and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. In this keynote, a patient voice is brought together with an industry perspective to illustrate how innovation translates into real-life impact. The session examines how Belgium can consolidate its leadership and remain a global hub for immunology-driven innovation while keeping patient needs at the centre of scientific progress.

Speaker: Els Van Gysel 

11:00 – 11:30: Networking coffee break and booths & poster presentations

11:30 – 12:30: Scientific Keynotes

12:30 – 13:30: Networking lunch break and booths & poster presentations

Afternoon breakout sessions

TRACK 1
Immunotherapy

Track 1 focuses on how immunology is translated into therapies that directly impact patients.

It explores clinical applications such as cancer immunotherapies, cancer vaccines and antibody–drug conjugates, with a strong emphasis on clinical outcomes, treatment strategies and real-world challenges in bringing these therapies to patients.

Session Moderator: Karine Breckpot, VUB

13:30 – 13:45: Case study 1

13:45 – 14:00: Case study 2

14:00 – 14:15: Case study 3

14:15 – 14:30: Case study 4

14:30 – 14:45: Case study 5

14:45 – 15:15: Panel Session

TRACK 2
Antibody Engineering

Track 2 centres on the scientific and technological foundations that enable next-generation immunotherapies.

It examines how antibodies are designed, engineered and optimised — from molecular architecture and functional enhancement to manufacturability — to create more precise, robust and scalable treatments.

Session Moderator: Eva Lion, University of Antwerp

13:30 – 13:45: Case study 1

13:45 – 14:00: Case study 2

14:00 – 14:15: Case study 3

14:15 – 14:30: Case study 4

14:30 – 14:45: Case study 5

14:45 – 15:15: Panel Session

15:15 – 16:00: Coffee break 

Afternoon plenary

Keynote session

16:00 – 16:30: Closing Keynote: Rewriting the Rules of the Immune System

This keynote explores how advances in immune biology are redefining medicine. From antibody engineering to cell-based approaches, the session highlights how the immune system is increasingly understood not just as a defense mechanism, but as a programmable platform for precision therapies.

Speaker: TBA

Round Table

16:30 – 17:15: Roundtable: Is Immunology Delivering on Its Promise?

This roundtable brings together experts from academia, biotech and pharma to openly discuss the current state of immunology. Moving beyond hype, the panel will debate what is working, what is not, and how to build cross regional collaborations to ensure innovation impact and resilient companies.

Speaker: TBA

17:15 – 17:30: Closing Words 

17:30 – 18:30: Reception

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