Scientific Program

WCI 2027 — Scientific Program

From fundamental mechanisms to translational breakthroughs — three days of expert-curated science spanning basic research to clinical practice.

🎙️ 120+ Speakers 🗂️ 45+ Sessions 📋 300+ Abstracts
Program Tracks

Four Scientific Tracks

Basic Science

Fundamental research in itch neurobiology, molecular mechanisms, sensory neuroscience, and animal models.

Clinical Practice

Evidence-based diagnosis, management strategies, case studies, and clinical guidelines for chronic pruritus.

Translational

Bridging the gap from preclinical discovery to human applications and therapeutic validation.

Industry Sessions

Pharmaceutical innovations, drug pipelines, regulatory updates, and sponsored educational symposia.

Full Schedule

Day-by-Day Program

DAY 1 THEME: FOUNDATIONS & OPENING
08:00 – 09:00
Registration

Delegate Registration & Networking Breakfast

Welcome delegates and informal networking breakfast in the foyer.

09:00 – 10:00
Keynote

Opening Ceremony & Welcome Address

IFSI President · Congress Chairs · Local Hosts

10:00 – 11:30
Plenary

Keynote Lecture: Frontiers of Itch Science

Chair: Prof. David Kim · Speaker: Dr. Anna Müller, University of Heidelberg

11:30 – 12:00
Break

Coffee Break & Exhibition Visit

Industry exhibition open. Dedicated time with scientific poster boards.

12:00 – 13:30
Plenary

Neurobiology of Itch — Molecular & Cellular Mechanisms

Four rapid presentations on itch-specific neuronal circuits, TRP channels, and spinal processing.

13:30 – 14:30
Lunch

Lunch Break & Sponsored Satellite Symposium

Optional satellite on targeted monoclonal antibody therapies in AD-associated pruritus.

14:30 – 16:00
Clinical

Parallel Sessions — Track A & Track B

Track A: Inflammatory pathways in atopic dermatitis
Track B: Itch in systemic disease (renal, hepatic, haematological)

16:00 – 17:30
Industry

Industry-Sponsored Symposia

Educational sessions by WCI Platinum Sponsors on pipeline drugs and real-world evidence.

18:00 – 20:00
Social

Welcome Reception

Networking reception in the Congress Centrum atrium. All delegates welcome.

DAY 2 THEME: CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL FOCUS
09:00 – 10:30
Plenary

State-of-the-Art Lecture: Chronic Itch — What We Know in 2025

Chair: Dr. Maria Gonzalez · Speaker: Prof. Kenji Tanaka, Tokyo Medical University

10:30 – 12:00
Clinical

New Treatment Concepts in Chronic Itch

Biologics, JAK inhibitors, and novel receptor-targeted approaches.
Speakers: Dr. Anna Müller · Dr. Maria Gonzalez

12:00 – 13:30
Clinical

Interactive Case-Based Sessions

Expert panel discussions on complex diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

13:30 – 15:30
Poster

Guided Poster Session — Batch A

Over 80 poster presentations with author-guided tours.

15:30 – 17:00
Panel

Panel Discussion: Future Priorities in Chronic Pruritus Research

Multi-expert panel exploring unmet needs and global collaboration opportunities.

19:00 – 22:00
Social

Congress Gala Dinner

Annual congress dinner in historic Heidelberg. By invitation / separate registration.

DAY 3 THEME: FUTURE & INNOVATION
09:00 – 10:30
Plenary

Emerging Therapies — Biologics, Small Molecules & Beyond

Latest phase III trial readouts and FDA/EMA regulatory updates.

10:30 – 12:00
Research

Experimental Research Symposium

Novel preclinical and translational findings across rodent models, organoids, and human tissue.

12:00 – 13:30
Poster

Guided Poster Session — Batch B

Second poster tour featuring oral abstract competition finalists.

13:30 – 15:00
YI Award

Young Investigator Award Session

Top three early-career researchers present their prizewinning research. Award ceremony follows.

15:00 – 16:30
Plenary

Future of Itch Science — Collaborative Research Roadmap

Panel defining priorities for the next decade of itch research and global collaboration.

16:30 – 17:30
Closing

Closing Ceremony, Awards & WCI 2027 Announcement

Closing address, recognition of outstanding contributions, and next WCI location announcement.

Featured Session
2
Day Two
10:30 – 12:00 PM
Main Auditorium
Clinical Track

New Treatment Concepts
in Chronic Itch

Exploring emerging therapeutic strategies — biologics, targeted therapies, and novel clinical approaches translating bench discoveries directly to bedside practice.

Biologics Targeted Therapy Clinical Translation
DK
Prof. David Kim
Chair · Harvard Medical School
AM
Dr. Anna Müller
Speaker · Charité, Berlin
MG
Dr. Maria Gonzalez
Speaker · Univ. of Barcelona
Keynote Faculty

Featured Speakers

AM

Dr. Anna Müller

University of Heidelberg

Neuroimmune Pathways in Chronic Itch

Opening Keynote
DK

Prof. David Kim

Harvard Medical School

Advances in Targeted Therapies

Plenary Chair
MG

Dr. Maria Gonzalez

Clinical Research Institute

Patient-Centered Treatment Models

Clinical
KT

Prof. Kenji Tanaka

Tokyo Medical University

Translational Itch Research

State-of-Art Lecture
All Faculty

WCI 2027 Faculty

120+ confirmed speakers · Full list available in the congress app from August 2027

AM
Dr. Anna Müller
University of Heidelberg · Germany
Neuroimmune Pathways in Chronic Itch
Opening Keynote
DK
Prof. David Kim
Harvard Medical School · USA
Advances in Targeted Therapies for Pruritus
Plenary Chair
MG
Dr. Maria Gonzalez
Clinical Research Institute · Spain
Patient-Centered Treatment Models
Clinical
KT
Prof. Kenji Tanaka
Tokyo Medical University · Japan
Translational Itch Research & Innovation
State-of-Art
SL
Prof. Sophie Laurent
Paris Descartes University · France
Immunology of Atopic Dermatitis-Associated Itch
Immunology
RB
Dr. Rajiv Bhatia
AIIMS · India
Itch in Tropical Dermatoses
Workshop
LN
Dr. Lisa Nguyen
Stanford University · USA
Central Sensitisation in Chronic Pruritus
Plenary
HW
Prof. Hans Weber
University Hospital Zurich · Switzerland
JAK Inhibitors in Pruritic Conditions
Clinical
YC
Dr. Yuki Chen
University of Melbourne · Australia
Mast Cell Biology in Itch Signalling
Basic Science
MC
Prof. Marco Colombo
University of Milan · Italy
Regulatory Pathways for Antipruritic Drugs
Industry
Shape the Program

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