Conference Matters 144

BRANDED CONTENT

In 2025 alone, Antwerp will host several prestigious medical conferences: - EMCA (International Institute for Tropical Medicine) (March 25–28)

- International Sleep and Breathing ESRS Conference (April 10–12) - European Conference on Healthcare Engineering (May 21–23) - European Society for Dermatological Research Annual Meeting (September 10–13) - European Conference on Mental Health (September 10–12) - Snomed International Conference (October 22–24) These events underscore Antwerp’s role as a thriving center for medical innovation and collaboration.

innovation hub, is to foster collaboration among public and private entities, start-ups, scale-ups, and research institutions, aiming to drive digital innovation in sectors such as smart cities, mobi lity, logistics, and industry. The Dunden is a dynamic innovation hub situa ted in the heart of Antwerp, designed to support startups and scale-ups, particularly those focu sing on healthcare, funding, B2B innovation, and social impact. Both centres bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to tackle challenges in healthcare, logistics, and urban development. Recognised as one of Europe’s emerging techno logy hubs, the city hosts in 2025 a series of cut ting-edge events, including DDD Europe – One of Europe’s leading software development confe rences – in June. Another premier event - Super Nova – showcasing breakthrough technology, AI, and future innovations took place in March and will be back in Antwerp next year. One standout example of combining health and technology is Byteflies, an Antwerp-based com pany that developed wearable technology ena bling Covid-19 patients to recover at home while remaining under medical supervision. This inno vation highlights how Antwerp leverages digital tools to make healthcare more efficient and accessible. AI is another transformative force in the city’s healthcare landscape – supporting diagnostics, optimizing clinical workflows, and enabling preventive care through remote moni toring solutions. Unique infrastructure for conferences Antwerp offers conference organizers unparal leled access to these innovative ecosystems, turning events into transformative experiences. Imagine hosting a symposium at Vaccinopolis, where attendees not only learn about vaccine development but also witness live research in action. Or picture workshops held at The Beacon,

dedicated to clinical vaccine research. Known for its pivotal role during the Covid-19 pandemic, it specializes in Controlled Human Infection Model studies, which accelerate vaccine and therapy development. This groundbreaking approach positions Antwerp as a key player in global pandemic preparedness and response. Driving technology transformation Antwerp is also at the forefront of digital inno vation, with hubs like The Beacon and Dunden leading advancements in Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and eHealth solutions. The core mission of The Beacon as a premier

focus on social impact and future-oriented care. With the University of Antwerp and a dense hospital network of 28 campuses, the city is a powerhouse for research, e-health, biotechno logy, and medical advancements. The city’s robust ecosystem also includes cut ting-edge research institutions like the Insti tute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), and pioneering facilities such as Vaccinopolis. These centres not only drive scientific breakthroughs but also foster international partnerships that shape the future of healthcare. Vaccinopolis, located on the University of Antwerp campus, is a state-of-the-art facility

45