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.
Bravo for this excellent work and well-deserved recognition!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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:
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.
The Targeting Phage Therapy 2025 Abstract Book is the official scientific publication of the 8th World Conference on Targeting Phage Therapy, held June 10–11, 2025, in Berlin. This comprehensive volume includes over 75 contributions from global experts, including keynote lectures, clinical trial updates, and poster presentations from 27 countries. It explores cutting-edge advances in phage therapy, covering:
• Human and veterinary clinical applications
• Personalized and engineered phage cocktails
• Regulatory pathways and GMP production
• Oncology, microbiome modulation, and antibiotic resistance strategies
With content from world leaders in phage research and medicine, this book offers a rich resource for clinicians, researchers, and biotech innovators. It is a must-have for those seeking to stay at the forefront of next-generation antibacterial therapies.
The book is available now for purchase: https://buy.stripe.com/eVa8Aoeez5aKdDG5kP
Prof. Dr. Christian Willy from Military Academic Hospital Berlin, Germany will give concluding remarks and deliver his vision on How phage therapy may evolve in the coming years.
About Prof. Dr. Christian Willy :
Prof. Willy has been actively involved in the field of phage therapy since 2016. He led the first phage treatment in Germany using Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-grade phages and has served as the consortial lead of the PhagoFlow project since 2018. His commitment extends to his role as Co-Chairman of the NATO Research Task Group “Reintroduction of phage therapy in military medical space.” Additionally, he has contributed to publications addressing the current state and future prospects of phage therapy in Germany.
Bacteriophage therapy, once a cornerstone of military medicine, is experiencing a resurgence as a promising solution to antibiotic-resistant infections. Prof. Dr. Christian Willy, a leading figure in this revival, will present his insights at the upcoming 8th World Conference on Targeting Phage Therapy, scheduled for June 10-11, 2025, in Berlin.
Dr. Willy’s presentation, titled “Bacteriophage Therapy: A Renaissance – From Military Medicine to Civilian Healthcare,” will explore the historical use of phages, their decline with the advent of antibiotics, and their modern resurgence. He will highlight NATO and Bundeswehr-led initiatives, including the PhagoFlow project, which have demonstrated phage therapy’s efficacy in treating infected combat wounds. These military applications have paved the way for civilian use, particularly in addressing chronic, multidrug-resistant infections in septic and reconstructive surgeries.
Since 2016, Dr. Willy has been at the forefront of phage therapy in Germany, leading the first treatment using Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-grade phages and serving as the consortium lead of the PhagoFlow project since 2018. His role as Co-Chairman of the NATO Research Task Group on reintroducing phage therapy in military medical settings underscores his commitment to this field.
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!