The TEDDY General Assembly and Scientific Meeting 2026 will take place from 18 to 20 September 2026 in Bari, Italy, at the University of Bari Aldo Moro.
The event will bring together researchers, clinicians, healthcare professionals, patient representatives, children and young people, and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge and strengthen collaboration in paediatric and rare disease research. Over three days, the programme will address key challenges and opportunities in paediatric research, with particular attention to evidence generation, innovative clinical research methodologies, rare diseases, and meaningful patient and young people’s involvement.
The scientific programme will open on 18 September with a discussion on paediatric research needs in the evolving European scenario, followed by a roundtable on innovative methodologies in paediatric clinical research with a special focus on the GAPP Study.
On 19 September, multiple sessions will examine challenges across the paediatric development pathway, including translational and regulatory gaps, early regulatory approaches, the transition from preclinical evidence to first-in-children trials, and the generation of actionable evidence from paediatric clinical practice.
The programme will also explore the role of real-world evidence, artificial intelligence and digital technologies, biomarkers and diagnostics, PBPK modelling, and precision dosing in paediatric research and medicines development. A dedicated roundtable will address European methodologies for generating robust evidence in small populations and rare diseases.
The afternoon will focus on advancing clinical research in rare diseases and moving innovative concepts towards trial readiness. Discussions will address priority actions across local and global ecosystems, pathways towards trial readiness, and innovative methodologies for research in small populations. The programme will also highlight TEDDY’s contribution to European rare disease research initiatives, including ERDERA, OrphaDev4Kids and INVENTS, with dedicated parallel sessions providing patient and research perspectives through the INVENTS paediatric Patient Expert Group (PEG) and the OrphaDev4Kids Patient Expert Committee (PEC).
Patient engagement and young people’s involvement in rare disease research will be an important component of the meeting. Building on TEDDY’s work within ERDERA, including activities supporting the participation and capacity building of young people in rare disease research, the programme will explore the role of patient engagement in shaping paediatric research. A dedicated session will also focus on the planning of the 2027 training course for young rare disease patient advocates.
As part of the programme, TEDDY Network will also organise a dedicated Biotech Week 2026 event, entitled “Raising Awareness: The TEDDY KIDS Way”. More information about Biotech Week 2026 is available here.
The event will provide opportunities for scientific exchange, interactive discussion and collaboration, bringing together diverse perspectives from across the paediatric research community.
Participants interested in attending can register through the registration form.
TEDDY General Assembly – Registration Form – Fill in form
Explore the TEDDY General Assembly and Scientific Meeting 2026
The official event flyer is also available [here].