ASCAT 2026 marks the first chapter of our new multi-year conference series, Haemoglobinopathies Without Borders, beginning with Building Care That Lasts: Sustainability in Haemoglobinopathy Care. This year’s programme focuses on the practical realities of delivering equitable, high-quality care across regions, systems and generations – examining how scientific progress, workforce development, policy, advocacy and emerging therapies can be translated into durable models of care worldwide. Through cutting-edge research, applied sessions, and meaningful collaboration, ASCAT 2026 brings together clinicians, scientists, patients, advocates and partners to address shared challenges and help shape a more sustainable and equitable future for all those affected.

TOPICS COVERED

ASCAT 2026 runs across four days , bringing together clinicians, scientists, trainees, patient advocates, and industry partners from more than 40 countries.
The programme includes:
Plenary and debate sessions - opening plenaries on the treatment landscape in sickle cell disease and thalassaemia care globally; a live moderated debate on the greatest clinical value of emerging biomarkers in SCD; a second debate on whether HSCT retains a role in thalassaemia care in 2026; and a panel discussion on real-world drug access barriers across licensed and unlicensed therapies.
Parallel scientific sessions - three concurrent tracks covering Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassaemia, and Basic Science across topics including gene therapy, organ damage, haematopoiesis and the bone marrow niche, genomics and multi-omics, global health burden, thalassaemia across the lifespan, mental health in SCD, fertility and pregnancy in thalassaemia, and lessons from LMIC settings.
Oral abstract presentations - 85 oral abstract presentations delivered across 5 rooms over Thursday and Friday, covering the full breadth of haemoglobinopathy research and clinical practice.
Poster session - approximately 140 posters on display during a dedicated Thursday morning viewing and networking reception.
Top Abstracts Showcase — the five highest-scoring abstracts from this year's submission pool presented to the full plenary audience on Wednesday evening.
Patient and advocacy strand - including a screening of Crescent Cell, Sickle Moon by the Sickle Cell Theatre Collective, a dedicated ERN-EuroBloodNet patient session, and a patient presentation in the main programme on Saturday.
Sponsored symposia from industry partners, networking lunches in the exhibition hall, and refreshment breaks throughout.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, researcher, or a patient or carer, ASCAT Conference is your essential gathering.
Connect, gain insights, and contribute to advancements in Sickle Cell Disease & Thalassaemia.

SPEAKERS

ASCAT 2026 features a faculty of over 60 internationally recognised speakers drawn from more than 20 countries.
Session chairs and Scientific Committee members include Biree Andemariam (ASCAT Chair, USA), Rachel Kesse-Adu (ASCAT Deputy Chair, UK), Maria Cappellini (Italy), Mariane De Montalembert (France), Andrew Campbell (USA), Ibrahim Idris (Nigeria), Subarna Chakravorty (UK), Jerlym Porter (St. Jude, USA), Raffaella Colombatti (Italy), Wale Atoyebi (UK), Perla Eleftheriou (UK), and Sara El Hoss (France).

For more information, please contact: [email protected].