ERDERA will take part in the World Orphan Drug Congress Europe 2026, taking place from 26 to 28 October at the RAI Convention Centre in Amsterdam.
The congress is a key meeting point for the rare disease community in Europe, bringing together stakeholders involved in research, therapeutic development, patient advocacy, policy and investment. ERDERA will be present across the event and will once again open the week with a dedicated pre-conference workshop, this year focusing on artificial intelligence in rare disease research and therapeutic development.
Exploring the role of AI in rare disease research
The 90-minute workshop, “AI for Rare Diseases: From Promise to Practice”, will take place during the congress workshop day on 26 October. It will bring together perspectives from research, biotechnology, the pharmaceutical industry, investment and the patient community to consider where artificial intelligence can contribute to rare disease research and the development of therapies.
The programme will examine AI as a scientific co-pilot, including its potential to support knowledge integration, hypothesis generation and experimental design. A second session will consider how AI can contribute to evidence generation, the identification of therapeutic opportunities and decision-making across the drug development pathway.
The workshop will conclude with an interactive panel on the opportunities, responsibilities and limits associated with wider use of AI. Throughout the discussion, contributors will consider the importance of scientific validation, critical thinking and human expertise when translating AI-supported findings into research and development decisions.
Following the workshop day, the main conference and exhibition will take place on 27 and 28 October under the theme “Strategy, advocacy and partnering for the global orphan drug industry”. ERDERA representatives will contribute to the wider congress programme, with further participation details to be announced.
A limited guest-pass application route is available for eligible participants. Those who believe they may qualify can apply for a guest pass to the World Orphan Drug Congress Europe 2026. Applications are subject to the organisers’ eligibility requirements and approval. ERDERA’s pre-conference workshop is included for holders of a valid congress pass. Please consult the official WODC Europe agenda for the latest workshop information.
