International experts in clinical, translational, and basic science research gathered in Giessen, Germany, from May 6–8, 2026, for the eurILDreg Symposium “Re-shaping eurILDreg: structure, organisation, research goals” to discuss current developments and future strategies in the field of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). The meeting brought together renowned scientists, clinicians, and representatives of the European ILD Registry (eurILDreg), providing a platform for interdisciplinary exchange on clinical care, genomics, translational research, and emerging therapeutic approaches.
The in-person meeting was complemented on May 7 by a publicly accessible online symposium on fibrolysis, which enabled additional researchers to participate via livestream.
The first day focused on unmet needs in the ILD field, bringing together perspectives from patients, clinicians, translational researchers, and basic scientists. Discussions addressed ongoing gaps in patient care, diagnostic challenges, limitations of current therapeutic options, and unresolved questions regarding molecular mechanisms and biomarkers.
The second day highlighted genomic strategies and innovative translational research. International experts discussed recent advances in familial pulmonary fibrosis, genotype–phenotype relationships, and the application of artificial intelligence in genomic sequencing. Additional presentations covered spatial transcriptomics, patient-derived stem cell models, and the clinical implementation of biomarkers.
A particular focus was placed on the online symposium “Fibrolysis as new treatment goal in ILDs: Scientific rationale.” The symposium explored whether the active resolution of established fibrosis — rather than merely slowing disease progression — could become a future therapeutic goal in interstitial lung diseases. Discussions addressed profibrotic signaling pathways, cellular plasticity, regenerative therapeutic approaches, and early clinical evidence supporting fibrolytic processes.
The third and final day was dedicated to the development, current status, and future direction of the European ILD Registry (eurILDreg). Presentations highlighted the existing registry and biobank infrastructure, ongoing research projects, and perspectives for stronger international collaboration and the integration of pediatric and adult ILD data infrastructures.
The symposium was supported financially by the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, and Avalyn Pharma.
The eurILDreg is one of the largest European registries for interstitial lung diseases, linking clinical data, biobanking, and translational research approaches to advance diagnostics, disease understanding, and therapeutic development in ILDs. Further information is available at pulmonary-fibrosis.net.
