Category: Congress Info

Call for Innovation & Awards

Call for Innovation & Awards

Posted on by Targeting Phage Therapy

Phage Therapy 2026 invites researchers, clinicians, startups, and industry partners to present new solutions that move phage therapy forward in a concrete and operational way.

The objective is simple:
Identify solutions that make phage therapy scientifically solid, clinically credible, and industrially deployable in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

We are looking for projects that solve real problems in the field, such as:
  • Better ways to match phages to bacteria, including AI-based tools
  • Strategies to overcome phage resistance
  • Safe and well-characterized engineered phages
  • Strong clinical trial designs and standardized treatment protocols
  • Biomarkers to monitor patient response
  • Scalable GMP production and quality control
  • Regulatory frameworks that enable structured clinical use
  • Rapid diagnostics and precision delivery systems
Selected projects will be presented during a dedicated Innovation Forum and evaluated by the scientific board jury.
 
Three Major Awards of Targeting Phage Therapy 2026
 
Scientific Innovation Award
For outstanding fundamental research advancing phage biology and mechanistic understanding.
 
Clinical Impact Award
For robust clinical work improving patient treatment, safety, and standardization.
 
Industrial & Translational Innovation Award
For technologies or production strategies that enable scalable, regulatory-compliant implementation.
 
For questions related to innovation participation, please click here to contact us.

Targeting Phage Therapy Team

Shaping the Future of Phage Medicine – Save the Date for Valencia 2026

Shaping the Future of Phage Medicine – Save the Date for Valencia 2026

Posted on by Targeting Phage Therapy

We are pleased to announce the 9th edition of the World Congress on Targeting Phage Therapy, which will take place on  June 9–12, 2026 in Valencia, Spain.

2026 Strategic Focus:
The 2026 Congress will mark a turning point for the field, as we move from experimental use to structured clinical pathways and scalable industrial models. Building on the momentum of Berlin 2025, we will focus on:

  • Implementing clinical frameworks for phage therapy
  • Scaling production, access, and regulatory harmonization
  • Bridging phage therapy with microbiota, biofilms, and personalized medicine
  • Defining cross-sector infrastructure: phage banks, clinical networks, data integration
  • Attracting pharma, biotech, and investors to build the next generation of anti-infective solutions

Call for Abstracts:

  • Oral communications deadline: May 9, 2026
  • Poster abstracts deadline: May 13, 2026

Submit now: www.phagetherapy-site.com/abstract-submission

Concluding Remarks : Targeting Phage Therapy 2025 did not close a chapter. It opened a new one

Concluding Remarks : Targeting Phage Therapy 2025 did not close a chapter. It opened a new one

Posted on by Targeting Phage Therapy

Targeting Phage Therapy 2025 marked a decisive moment for the field of phage therapy. What was once viewed mainly as an experimental or compassionate use approach has clearly entered a new phase, one defined by clinical structuring, regulatory engagement, and growing industrial readiness.

Over two days in Berlin, the conference brought together clinicians, researchers, regulators, and industry leaders from around the world. A clear and shared message emerged throughout the meeting: phage therapy is no longer just a scientific promise. It is becoming a clinical necessity.

The program highlighted tangible progress in human clinical trials, including applications in cystic fibrosis, burn wounds, cardiothoracic surgery related infections, and multidrug resistant pathogens. Participants also shared major advances in delivery technologies, ranging from inhaled formulations to hydrogels and biohybrid systems. Discussions reflected a growing maturity in GMP production, with concrete examples of hospital-based manufacturing pipelines and improved quality control strategies.

There was also an unprecedented focus on regulatory frameworks, national guidelines, and the need for European harmonization. Importantly, the scope of phage therapy was shown to extend well beyond human medicine, with expanding applications in veterinary health, agriculture, food safety, and industry.

Throughout the discussions, it became clear that the future of phage therapy will depend on collaboration rather than fragmentation. Progress will require stronger bridges between hospitals and industry, between regulators and innovators, and between microbiology and clinical medicine.

The final panel highlighted several critical priorities for the coming years. These include scaling access to phage therapy while maintaining safety and quality, structuring personalized phage approaches within clear regulatory pathways, building shared infrastructures such as phage banks and clinical networks, and strengthening dialogue across science, medicine, and industry.

Targeting Phage Therapy 2025 did not close a chapter. It opened a new one.

With this momentum, the community now looks ahead to 2026 with a shared ambition: to move phage therapy from pioneering cases to structured, accessible, and impactful solutions for health and industry.

Award Recipients Recognized for Innovation and Excellence

The conference recognized outstanding contributions to the field:

  • Poster Presentation Award: Peter Braun and Leonie Reetz (Fraunhofer ITMP, Germany)
  • Poster Presentation Award: Viviane de Cássia Oliveira
  • Poster Presentation Award: Miriam Waizer (University of Regensburg, Germany)
  • Short Oral Award: Anthony Vocat (Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland)
  • Best Innovation Award: José Luis Bila(Precise Health SA, Switzerland)

Phage Therapy 2025 Awards.

The 9th Annual Meeting will be held in Valencia, Spain on June 11-12, 2016. See you soon!

Poster Presentation Award #1 – 2025 of Targeting Phage Therapy 2025

Poster Presentation Award #1 – 2025 of Targeting Phage Therapy 2025

Posted on by Targeting Phage Therapy

Congratulations to Dr. Peter Braun and Leonie Reetz from the Fraunhofer ITMP, Germany, for winning the Poster Presentation Award 2025 at Targeting Phage Therapy!
Their poster, “Rapid and Specific Detection of Pathogenic Bacteria Using Recombinant Receptor Binding Proteins of Bacteriophages” showcases a cutting-edge approach to diagnostics through phage-based technologies — opening new doors for precision microbiology.

Poster Presentation Award #2 – 2025 of Targeting Phage Therapy 2025

Poster Presentation Award #2 – 2025 of Targeting Phage Therapy 2025

Posted on by Targeting Phage Therapy

 

Congratulations to Dr. Viviane de Cássia Oliveira for winning Poster Presentation Award 2025 !

Her poster, “Evolution of Ceftolozane/Tazobactam Resistance in Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Under Phage-Antibiotic” earned recognition by the scientific committee for its depth of analysis and relevance to one of today’s most critical challenges in antimicrobial resistance. Her research offers new insights into the complex interactions between phages and antibiotics, paving the way for more effective combination therapies in the fight against multidrug-resistant infections.

Summary and Future Steps of her Research

Approximately 20–36% of ventilated patients develop ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), frequently caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. VAP has a high mortality rate, ranging from 24% to 76%, and imposes a significant burden on healthcare resources. My research, developed under ARISTOS program (European Union’s Horizon Europe research – Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions), focuses on identifying novel therapeutic approaches for treating VAP caused by carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa, a high-priority pathogen according to the WHO. The next phase of my study involves the in vivo administration of phage cocktails, evaluating their effect on progression and severity of VAP, alongside investigating how different lung cells respond to phage therapy. In parallel, the inhibition of biofilm formation on endotracheal tubes will be also investigated. I am committed to exploring the effect of phage-therapy against acute multidrug-resistant infections, which are widely regarded as one of the most critical global health challenges.

Bravo to Dr. Oliveira for this remarkable contribution and well-deserved recognition!

 

        

Poster Presentation Award #3 – 2025 of Targeting Phage Therapy 2025

Poster Presentation Award #3 – 2025 of Targeting Phage Therapy 2025

Posted on by Targeting Phage Therapy

 

Congratulations to Miriam Waizer from the University of Regensburg, Germany, for winning the Poster Presentation Award 2025 of Targeting Phage Therapy 2025, here in Berlin !

Her poster titled “Pseudomonas Aeruginosa-Induced Bilateral Otitis Media with Different Progression Under Topical Phage Therapy” captured the attention of the Scientific Committee and earned her this well-deserved recognition. Her work brings valuable insight into the potential of topical phage applications in complex ENT infections — a promising path for future therapeutic strategies.

About her Research and Future Steps :

She focuses on the development of bacterial phage resistance in a therapeutic context. M.Waizer investigates on mechanisms that influence phage therapy, for example the influence of the immune system and the co-evolution of bacteriophages and bacteria in vitro and in situ. These experiments are carried out based on the cases of the Phage Center Regensburg in collaboration with our cooperation partners at the UKR. The aim is to use these findings from the in vitro experiments and the continuous monitoring of the in situ situation to further improve phage therapy.

Bravo to Miriam Waizer for this outstanding contribution!

 

    

Short Oral Award 2025 at the Phage Therapy 2025 Congress

Short Oral Award 2025 at the Phage Therapy 2025 Congress

Posted on by Targeting Phage Therapy

 

Congratulations to Anthony Vocat winner of the Short Oral Award 2025! His outstanding presentation, “Novel Mycobacteriophages as a Promising Adjunct in the Fight against Drug-Resistant TB and NTM Infections” captivated the scientific committee with its scientific rigor and real-world impact. His work highlights the innovative potential of bacteriophage therapy in addressing one of the most pressing global health challenges: drug-resistant tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections.

 

About his Research and Future Steps:

The 37-year-old Swiss microbiologist with over a decade of experience in infectious disease research, particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis pursues a PhD at CHUV / Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois, under the supervision of Dr. Grégory Resch and Prof. Gilbert Greub within the CRISP group. His research focuses on discovering and characterizing new bacteriophages active against mycobacteria and Pseudomonas-related lung infections. The project includes isolating phages from environmental samples and developing ultra-rapid phage susceptibility testing (PST) using nanomotion technology, in collaboration with Resistell.”

Bravo Dr. Vocat for this well-deserved recognition and for pushing the boundaries of infectious disease research!

 

       

Best Innovation Award at the Phage Therapy 2025 Congress

Best Innovation Award at the Phage Therapy 2025 Congress

Posted on by Targeting Phage Therapy

 

 

Congratulations to José Luis Bila, PhD, from Precise Health SA, Switzerland, on winning the Best Innovation Award at the Phage Therapy 2025 Congress! The winning innovation? A revolutionary digital phagogram platform that’s set to transform how we combat multidrug-resistant infections.

The Challenge: Identifying effective therapeutic phages for MDR pathogens has been painfully slow, creating critical delays when patients need treatment most urgently.

The Solution: An AI-driven identification and decision-support system that:
– Automates matching of bacterial genome sequences to optimal phages
– Connects to a global biobank network
– Dramatically compresses sample-to-treatment time
– Increases clinician confidence in treatment decisions

This breakthrough represents a major leap forward in personalized antimicrobial therapy. By leveraging artificial intelligence and global collaboration, we’re moving closer to a future where life-threatening infections can be treated with precision and speed. The implications for healthcare are enormous – faster treatment decisions, better patient outcomes, and a powerful new weapon against the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Congratulations again to the entire team at Precise Health SA!

 

           

 

Scientific Contribution Award at Targeting Phage Therapy 2025!

Scientific Contribution Award at Targeting Phage Therapy 2025!

Posted on by Targeting Phage Therapy
 

Congratulations to Prof. Alberto Danielli from the University of Bologna, Italy, for receiving the Scientific Contribution Award at Targeting Phage Therapy 2025! His remarkable talk, “Targeting Tumors with Engineered Phages: A New Frontier in Precision Oncology”, opened exciting perspectives on how phage technology can be harnessed to advance precision cancer therapies.

A well-deserved recognition for pioneering research at the intersection of phage engineering and oncology.

Thank you, Prof. Danielli, for your inspiring contribution to the field!

       
Join the Speakers’ Dinner of Targeting Phage Therapy 2025

Join the Speakers’ Dinner of Targeting Phage Therapy 2025

Posted on by Targeting Phage Therapy

 

 

A Speaker’s Dinner is organized at the Restaurant Double Tree in the Hotel Hilton, Berlin, on June 10, starting at 8:00 PM. 

The dinner will be a great opportunity to enjoy a sociable evening with colleagues, speakers, and committee members of Targeting Phage Therapy around a sophisticated menu.

Tickets to the dinner include:

  • A three-course dinner
  • A selection of wine and soft drinks
  • The chance to interact with invited speakers

To reserve your spot, please register here.

Note: Dinner tickets are non-refundable. However, they can be transferred to colleagues as substitutes.

Location and Arrival Information

DoubleTree by Hilton Berlin Ku’damm
Los-Angeles-Platz 1
10789 Berlin
Germany

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the organizing committee.

[email protected]