The European Conference on Rare Diseases and Orphan Products is recognised globally as the largest, patient-led rare disease event in which collaborative dialogue, learning, and conversation take place, forming the groundwork to shape future rare disease policies.<\/p>\n
The 11th edition of the European Conference on Rare Diseases & Orphan Products (ECRD) was a virtual event for the second consecutive time.
\nBy maintaining this event online it has remained accessible to all, reaching over 800 stakeholders of the wider rare disease community from 61 countries.
\nOver the five days of the conference, participants discussed how rare disease policy should be put into action in Europe to work towards meaningful goals,
\naligned with the conclusions from the Rare 2030 Foresight Study and the UN Sustainable Development Goals – to improve health and well-being, to\u00a0 reduce inequalities, and to foster innovation. All this has helped to build momentum for post-ECRD 2022 follow-up actions and implementation to secure a better future for all people living with a rare disease.<\/p>\n
Through a custom-built platform, registrants were able to participate in 19 sessions with over 120 expert speakers and chairs, and meet with fellow attendees in both facilitated and open networking sessions. The organisers are grateful to the 222 poster authors who contributed such high-quality e-posters.<\/p>\n
For the first time ever, four satellite meetings were hosted by Rare Disease National Alliances, gathering key opinion leaders and decision makers on a Member State level to consider how EU policies and national strategies will align in the coming years, with a particular focus on how a new policy framework for rare diseases could drive national efforts.<\/p>\n