08:00- 08:30
Registration and coffee
08:35- 08:40
Welcome Address and endorsement

(pre-recorded video)

 
 
08:50-09:00
Overview of the Rare Disease Landscape in Cyprus

Session 1: Current landscape and unmet needs in rare diseases

09:05-09:20
European research on rare diseases: a long-standing commitment to make Europe a leader at global level
09:20-09:35
Witnessing and implementing change over the past 2 decades: the European Commission’s action on rare diseases and therapy development
09:35-09:45
The European Economic and Social Committee’s exploratory opinion on the advancement of treatments for Rare Diseases
09:45-10:00
Regulatory considerations for rare disease drug development and approval
10:00- 10:15
EURORDIS’ role in facilitating therapies for rare diseases (online)
10:45- 11:15
Coffee Break

Session 2: A framework for developing rationally-designed therapies for rare diseases

11:15- 11:30
Funding and patient advocacy organisations spearheading the effort against rare diseases
11:30- 11:45
A European inventory of rare diseases through the scope of ERNs
11:45- 12:00
The current state of affairs for developing rational therapies for rare diseases
12:15 – 12:25
European Networking for Rare: Equity or Justice?
13:15-14:15
Lunch break

Session 3: Drug discovery, development and repurposing in rare diseases

14:15- 14:30
Building on knowledge and lessons learnt: developing Nusinersen for SMA (online)
14:30 – 14:45
Developing virally-delivered genetic therapies for inherited neuromuscular disorders
14:45- 15:00
A Journey to Developing Curative Therapies for Hemoglobinopathies using Genome Editing
15:00 – 15:15
Developing therapies for rare paediatric endocrine disorders
15:15-15:30
Coffee Break
15:30-15:45
Chasing Miracles of Science: Accelerating Innovation in Rare Disease Medicines
15:45-16:00
The role of artificial intelligence in drug discovery and repurposing
16:00-16:10
The End of Medicine As We Know It
16:10-16:20
Innovative platform-based approach for sustainable repurposing of medicines for rare diseases
16:20-16:30
A clinical model for interdisciplinary sharing of knowledge and innovation for the development of rare diseases therapies (online)

Dear delegates,

In light of the latest developments and as a precautionary measure, the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 has decided to postpone this week’s Presidency Conference Advancement of Treatments for Rare Diseases, scheduled to take place in Cyprus 5–6 March 2026.

Further information regarding possible re-arrangement and new dates will be communicated in due course.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused by these adjustments and thank you for your understanding.

Yours sincerely,
The Organizing Committee
Conference “Advancement of Treatments for Rare Diseases”
Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026