Upcoming Medical Conferences in Brussels

2019 International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) Europe Biotechnology Conference is organized by International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) and will be held from Sep 25 - 26, 2019 at Crowne Plaza Brussels Airport, Brussels, Belgium. Why Attend? Hear what the new megatrends are and how it will influence your operations and shape the future Learn about how to ensure "capable capacities" at CMOs, CROs, and Analytical Laboratories Discover professional ideas on how to develop the "Biotech Workforce of the Future" Learn what industry leaders’ thoughts are for tomorrow Engage with Regulators addressing the regulatory framework for biologics Explore new ways to address patient needs with new product types such as Biosimilars, Biobetters, ADCs, and ATMPs Learn from the challenges in manufacturing personalised medicines Network with colleagues and speakers to learn about best practice ideas and influencer Who Should Attend? Professionals at all levels of the industry from young professionals to the most senior executives, Communities of Practice, special interest groups, pharmaceutical industry equipment and services suppliers, and regulatory professionals.  • Young Professionals  • Senior Executives  • Communities of Practice  • Special Interest Groups  • Equipment and Services Suppliers  • Regulatory Professionals  Description: Biopharmaceuticals has become a main pillar in the pharmaceutical industry, with significant transformation in the development, strategy, technology and operations. This transformation is a continuous process, which is impacted by other developments in digitalisation amongst other factors. Entirely new concepts, such as gene - and cell therapy, are being brought to market, which offer even more possibilities to regenerative medicine or disease remission. However, there are still operational and technological challenges. Reproducing large molecules reliably at an industrial scale requires manufacturing capabilities of a previously unknown complexity and sophistication. The starting material that produce recombinant therapeutics are genetically modified living cells that must be frozen for storage, thawed without damage, and made to grow in a reaction vessel. The molecules must then be separated from the cells that cultivated them and the media in which they were produced, all without destroying their complex, fragile structures. This process requires new technologies and capabilities and will be explored at our conference. Similarly, in GMP and Quality there are challenges, for instance working with a non-sterile starting material in a sterile and aseptic manufacturing process, where it is needed to prove that the micro-organisms are from starting material only and not from processing. Challenges that need new and innovative approaches. The 2019 ISPE Europe Biotechnology Conference will address these topics with industry case studies and plant tours. Most important, the conference will allow for collaborative dialogue with presenters, regulators, industry, peer groups and top managers in an interactive forum. Additional details will be posted as soon as they are available.

Positioning and Immobilisation for Radiotherapy is organized by European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) and will be held from Sep 26 - Oct 20, 2019 at ESTRO Office, Brussels, Belgium. Target Audience: The target audience for this course are RTTs who need to develop or improve their knowledge and practical skills in patient positioning and immobilisation for modern radiotherapy techniques. This course is of particular interest to RTT’s who have not completed a dedicated RTT programme and who may lack knowledge in the positioning and immobilisation process. This course provides the theory and practical skills to effectively position and immobilise patients for treatment. Course Design: •  The course will take place over a 4 week period and will be delivered using a blended learning approach, i.e. a combination of recorded online seminars, live teleconferencing and face-to-face teaching: •  The theoretical components will be delivered using Moodle, the ESTRO Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), where recorded seminars will be available for participants to join at a time that suits them •  Additionally, live teleconference tutorials will also take place to provide participants with the opportunity to discuss their learning to date with the teachers. •  The face-to-face component of the course will occur over a two-day period at the ESTO Office and the Department of Radiotherapy, UCL Cliniques Univ. St. Luc in Brussels. This course aims to:  •  The course aims to provide:  •  Knowledge of the impact patient immobilisation and positioning has on the radiotherapy process and treatment outcomes  •  Practical experience of constructing and using immobilisation devices for a range of disease site and treatment techniques  •  A forum for participants to gain and exchange knowledge on patient immobilisation and position Course Content: •  The course will cover the following topics:  •  Basic principles of positioning and immobilisation  •  Impact of positioning and immobilisation on target volume, OAR delineation and treatment planning  •  Immobilising patients for a range of anatomical areas  •  Positioning errors on margins  •  Impact of positioning and immobilisation on:  -   treatment verification  -   clinical outcome  •  Risk and positioning on immobilisation  •  Case discussions Objectives: By the end of this course participants should be able to:  •  Discuss the need for accurate and precise patient immobilisation and positioning in radiotherapy  •  Evaluate the impact of positioning and immobilisation on margins required for adequate dose delivery  •  Construct and optimally use immobilisation devices for a range of anatomical sites  •  Solve difficult cases where conventional immobilisation devices may not be appropriate.   •  Compare and evaluate the efficacy of immobilisation devices/positions   •  Evaluate positioning and immobilisation procedures in the context of radiotherapy risk management. Additional details will be posted as soon as they are available.

The 4th EAAR Annual Congress on New Medical Device Regulations (RMD2019) is organized by Bioevents and will be held from Oct 28 - 29, 2019 at Steigenberger Wiltcher's, Brussels, Belgium. Description: In conjunction with EAAR (European Association of Authorized Representatives), our excellent panel of experienced professionals in this field will once again ensure a congress of noteworthy quality. Topics to be covered, among others will be: • Implementation of the New Regulations • The Road to 2020: Overview of Regulatory Developments • Major Regulatory Compliance Challenges for the Industry • Challenges for National Competent Authorities • New Legal Challenges to the Medical Device Industry • Scope, Borderlines and Classification • General Safety and Performance Requirements • Practical Aspects of Clinical Evaluation: What needs to be updated now and  how to plan for  Future Compliance under the MDR • Impact of the MD/IVD-Regulations on Quality Management Systems • View of a Notified Body on the MDR Implementation Steps • Post-Market Surveillance • Do you need to plan for PMCF and What are the Possibilities for Gathering PMCF Data? • The Impact of Increased Transparency and Traceability Resulting from Eudamed and the  Introduction of UDI • Vigilance • What can we Expect from the MDR Authorized Representative? • Special IVD Issues • Software • Conflicts Between Economic Operators  Additional details will be posted as soon as they are available.

Multidisciplinary Management of Non-melanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC) Conference is organized by European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) and will be held from Nov 07 - 09, 2019 at ESTRO Office, Brussels, Belgium. Target Group: This advanced multidisciplinary course is aimed at radiation oncologist and clinical oncologists, dermatologists, surgeons, allied health care professionals and other specialists and trainees who have a special interest in non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and would like to update their knowledge in the multidisciplinary management of patients with NMSC. The course may also be of interest to medical physicists and radiographers who would like an overview of the current practicein NMSC. Description: The course will be interactive and including a variety of teaching methods. There will be also special sessions covering extended content dedicated to Mohs’ and plastic surgery, and skin radiotherapy, brachytherapy and radiobiology for those participants who wish for advanced knowledge in the relevant fields. Course Aim: • Provide a comprehensive overview of current management options in NMSC • Highlight the need for improved interdisciplinary collaboration • Concept and management of high risk, locally advanced and metastatic NMSC • NMSC in special circumstances and rare skin pathologies • Clinical consultation of NMSC patient • Role of multidisciplinary team meetings in the management of NMSC • Overview of current research, clinical trials and technical developments in NMSC. Course Objectives: By the end of this course participants should be able to: • Understand prophylaxis, epidemiology and pathology of NMSC with special focus on basal, squamous and Merkel cell carcinoma. Rare skin cancers will also be included. • Discuss advantages and limitations of imaging modalities used for diagnosis and treatment of NMSC • Understand indications and limitations of surgical and non-surgical treatment modalities in NMSC • Develop a deep understanding of best practices in NMSC and provide patients with the best possible treatment, skin care advice and follow-up care • Understand challenges of palliative and supportive care in NMSC patients • Have a general understanding of principles in geriatric oncology and integrate geriatric oncology assessment into clinical practice involving NMSC patients • Summarise the latest technical developments and gain knowledge of future directions in research and clinical trials in the management of NMSC. Course Content: Epidemiology,prevention, pathology and bio-markers of NMSC • The role of imaging in diagnosis and treatment of NMSC • Surgical and non-surgical treatments of NMSC • Physics and mould room input in dermatological radiotherapy and brachytherapy • Radiobiology of the skin • Follow-up and management of side effects during and after skin cancer treatment • Role of allied health care professionals in NMSC management surgical and non-surgical treatment modalities in NMSC • Have at least basic experience with radiation therapy for NMSC patients. If the participant is not a radiation oncologist or clinical oncologist (including training post) they should be involved in multidisciplinary case discussions or have special interest in NMSC patients • Be prepared to ask questions and contribute to live and interactive discussions. Additional details will be posted as soon as they are available.

Echocardiography for Hemodynamic Monitoring 2019 is organized by International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (ISICEM) and will be held from Nov 19 - 21, 2019 at Hospital Erasme, Brussels, Belgium.  Aim: To promote the use of echocardiography in the hemodynamic evaluation of critically ill patients. General description: The course, will be interactive, with a lot of time devoted to questions, hands-on sessions, and discussions of live video-transmissions. From this year, the course will be split into two sections: beginners (no or minimal clinical experience with echo) and advanced (have previously attended an echo course and have at least 1-year’s practical echo experience). On the first day, we will review some of the basics of echocardiography for our beginners and cover some more complex topics for our advanced group. The second and third days will describe how to use this technique to evaluate the hemodynam Additional details will be posted as soon as information is available.

Palliative Care and Radiotherapy - A Course on Prognosis, Symptom Control, Re-Irradiation and Oligometastases is organized by European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) and will be held from Nov 26 - 28, 2019 at ESTRO Office, Brussels, Belgium. Target Group : This basic course is aimed primarily at trainee radiation and medical oncologists and experienced radiation and medical oncologists who want an update of their clinical knowledge. Clinical physicists, palliative care physicians and specialist nurses are welcome to participate. Description : In this course, a comprehensive overview of the applicability and effectiveness of palliative radiotherapy schedules from an evidence based perspective will be provided in a multidisciplinary framework. Focus will be on both clinical-ethical aspects and more technical-physics related issues. Learning outcomes : By the end of this course participants should  • Have knowledge of the principles of palliation, pain management, and indications for and effectiveness of palliative radiotherapy schedules • Be able to discuss clinical cases on management, expected survival, clinical outcome in terms of quality of life and side effects using evidence based outcome tools. Course Content : • Principles of palliation, oligometastasis • Nature of cancer pain, physiology of pain • Principles of pharmacological management • Radiotherapy for pain: bone pain, soft tissue pain • Holistic pain therapy: integration of RT/CT/pharmacology and non-pharmacological approaches • Neurological complications: brain metastases - introduction and pharmacological management • Management of solitary brain metastases Management of multiple brain metastases • Malignant spinal metastasis, pathophysiology, diagnosis and initial management • Management of malignant spinal canal compression • Other neurological complications: spinal nerve root compression and neuropathic pain management • Care of the dying: different models of care • Lung - NSCLC: palliative management • Oligometastases and ablative therapy • Liver: role of radiotherapy in palliation • Palliative brachytherapy • Practical application of research data in palliation. Prerequisites : Before commencing this course you should have a basic understanding of radiotherapy and pharmacology and experience of caring for patients with advanced cancer. Additional details will be posted as soon as they are available.

Multidisciplinary Management of Brain Tumours is organized by European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) and will be held from Dec 01 - 03, 2019 at ESTRO Office, Brussels, Belgium. Target Group : The course is primarily aimed at specialists and trainees in the field of clinical/radiation oncology interested in extending their knowledge of the multidisciplinary management of central nervous system tumours. Other specialists with interest in brain tumours who wish to have an update on brain tumour treatment approaches with a particular focus on modern radiotherapy will also be most welcome. Description : The course aims to review the present state-of-the-art of neuro-oncology from its biological understanding to the implementation of high-tech radiotherapy approaches, modern biologically driven therapy and care. It will not only cover the commonest of brain tumours, but will also review the latest developments in the less common tumours in adults and children. Learning outcomes : By the end of this course participants should be able to: • Understand the evolving concepts of brain tumour biology • Interpret more complex brain imaging for the purpose of therapy • Make judgements regarding multidisciplinary management of tumours including the role of systemic and targeted therapies in both common and rare brain tumours in adults and children • Understand the principles and practice of modern radiotherapy • Understand the design and challenges of brain tumour clinical trials. Course Content : Neuro-oncology is generally equated with the management of malignant gliomas, yet it is the speciality with perhaps the largest range of tumour types from curable to barely treatable. It has been at the forefront of technical developments in radiotherapy with early implementation of the latest imaging and high precision localised radiotherapy, including stereotactic radiotherapy and proton therapy. Neurosurgery has also developed in leaps and bounds so that previously inaccessible locations can now be safely reached. Local treatment relies on accurate imaging and this is the cornerstone of neuro-oncology practice. Alongside local treatment approaches, systemic treatment has become mainstay of management of many tumours in adults and children and targeted personalised therapy approaches are becoming a reality. The need for developing and testing new therapies in this challenging clinical setting requires the involvement of neuro-oncology specialists in clinical trials and the issues specific to brain tumour trial design are of importance to the future of the speciality. Anyone involved in neuro-oncology is aware of the challenges in treating the brain and the short and long term consequences for the patient and their carers, and that attention to care is an integral part of neuro-oncology. Prerequisites : Before commencing this course you should have some: • Experience of brain tumour management • Understanding of conventional brain radiotherapy issues. Additional details will be posted as soon as they are available.

European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP) Winter Meeting 2019 is organized by European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP) and will be held from Dec 06 - 07, 2019 at Hilton Brussels Grand Place, Brussels, Brussel, Belgium. Description: The European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP) continues to promote child health and to harmonize standards of paediatric training and services throughout Europe. This meeting is a platform for all our National delegates and other members to discover new knowledge, to promote research and ensure their continuing professional development. Additional details will be posted as soon as information is available.

Annual Congress of the Belgian Society of Internal Medicine is organized by Belgian Society of Internal Medicine (BSIM) and will be held from Dec 13 - 14, 2019 at Dolce La Hulpe Brussels, Brussels, Belgium. Additional details will be posted as soon as they are available.

The 39th Belgian Society of Cardiology (BSC) Annual Congress is organized by Belgian Society of Cardiology (BSC) and will be held from Feb 13 - 14, 2020 at Brussels Expo - Exhibition Center, Brussels, Belgium. Additional Details will be posted as soon as they are available.