Rising to the Challenge

IRIDS

2021|

INTERNATIONAL ROCHE
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
SYMPOSIUM

Virtual Events
December 06-08th | 13-15th




Be inspired by the speeches held during IRIDS 2021, either accessing the highlights or watching the recordings of the scientific sessions

Read the major insights of all the international and regional sessions accessing the IRIDS 2021 highlights document

Each of the following link will take you to a different page full of content, divided by week and by language (English, Spanish or Portuguese)

Please refer to information listed below to know more about the agenda, the speakers and what IRIDS is about.

Today, more than any other time in living memory, infectious diseases and the way we manage and treat them, is at the forefront of human thought and innovation.
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has changed our lives in many ways. We had to learn new and often difficult ways of maintaining life's fundamental building blocks: family, community, connections, and health. In the face of this, we saw hope emerge through everyday heroes. By harnessing the power of resilience and agility, we quickly adapted and rose to the challenge, to tackle the pandemic. At an unprecedented pace, global and local experts, industry leaders, and researchers developed and launched testing solutions and highly effective vaccines to transform the way we deliver healthcare, all the while maintaining testing and treatment demands for other diseases. The transformation to meet the challenge of COVID-19 does not signify the end, but rather a new beginning.

Together, we can continue rising to the challenges we face in conquering
SARS-CoV-2 and many other infectious diseases.
Join the International Roche Infectious Diseases Symposium (IRIDS) - Rising to the challenge, taking place on two consecutive weeks from the 6th to the 8th and from the 13th to the 15th of December 2021. During our series of virtual scientific sessions you will hear about the newest global and regional trends in infectious diseases, like the challenges posed by SARS-CoV-2 and antimicrobial resistance. Discover how access to sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis diagnostics has changed due to the pandemic, how safer transplants can be secured, and what we can expect in the future for infectious diseases diagnostics.


The scientific program consists of sessions with international and regional focus, of which you are free to choose to attend based on your interest. The international sessions are identical across the two weeks, while the regional sessions will focus on the Middle East region during the first week and on the Latin American region during the second week. Please refer to the agenda for more details.

Agenda

IRIDS - Rising to the Challenge
The Middle East Chapter
Agenda (CET)
During these virtual sessions, we will hear from several experts in the infectious diseases field including Prof. Colm O'Mahony (University of Chester), Prof. Francesco Negro (University Hospitals of Geneva), and many more. They will discuss the newest global and regional trends in infectious diseases, like the challenges posed by SARS-CoV-2, and how the lessons learnt can help us prepare for the next pandemic. We will discover how access to sexually transmitted diseases diagnostics and congenital infections have changed, how safer transplants can be secured, and what we can expect in the future of infectious diseases diagnostics. Across three days, with at least one international and regional session per day with a duration between one and one hour and a half, you will have the possibility to ask questions and interact with other peers from other countries. Rise to the challenge with us!
IRIDS - Rising to the Challenge
The Latin America Chapter
Agenda (CET)
During these virtual sessions, we will hear from several experts in the infectious diseases field including Prof. Colm O'Mahony (University of Chester), Prof. Francesco Negro (University Hospitals of Geneva), Prof. José Eduardo Levi (Tropical Medicine Institute, University of São Paulo) and many more. They will discuss the newest global and regional trends in infectious diseases, like the challenges posed by emerging pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2, as well as by a well known threat like Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Discover how access to diagnostics of sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis and endemic diseases has changed due to the pandemic, how safer transplants can be secured, and what we can expect in the future of infectious diseases diagnostics. Across three days, with at least one international and regional session per day with a duration between one and one hour and a half, you will have the possibility to ask questions and interact with other peers from other countries. Rise to the challenge with us!

Meet the Speakers

This section provides background information
on the panelists, their profiles and accomplishments.
Martin Möckel, Germany
Tim Rawson, UK
Emma Hannay, Switzerland
Ashraf Dada, Saudi Arabia
Eid Azar, Lebanon
Magdy El Ekiaby, Egypt
Manaf M Alqahtani, Kingdom of Bahrain
Ameeta Singh, Canada
Francesco Negro, Switzerland
Colm O’Mahony, UK
Ahmad Subhi, UAE
Hanan Alkindi, Oman
Mohamed Hassany, Egypt
Camille Kotton, USA
Francisco López Medrano, Spain
Ahmad Subhi, UAE
Yasser Sabr, Saudi Arabia
Sanjat Kanjilal, USA
Miguel Luis O’Ryan Gallardo, Chile
Antonio Pignatari, Brazil
Pedro Cahn, Argentina
Francisco Rodríguez Frías, Spain
Eduardo Levi, Brazil
Senior Physician, Professor of Cardiology, Head of Emergency Medicine and Acute Cardiovascular Care, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin

Professor Möckel’s talk will focus on the importance of rapid and differential diagnosis for effective management and triage of patients with respiratory symptoms and will include a case study. The testing approaches used in different settings will be discussed, along with the challenges of resource availability, infection control, and test reliability.

NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow in Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, Honorary Clinical Lecturer at Imperial College London, London

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat. Dr Rawson will discuss the challenges and strategies required to optimize antibiotic use, the impact of COVID-19 on AMR, and the current and future diagnostics to detect AMR.
Chief Access Officer, The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Geneva

Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic can be used to help prepare for the diagnostic challenges of the next major pandemic. Dr Hannay will discuss the factors that contribute to the emergence of infectious disease, future threats, and mitigation and surveillance strategies.
Director, Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory
at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Branch, Jeddah
Adjunct Associate Professor at Al Faisal University, Riyadh 

Professor Ashraf Dada has more than 30 years of experience in the field of immunogenetics, transplantation immunology, transfusion medicine and molecular virology. During the COVID-19 pandemic has been the principal investigator of many research studies, and he will be discussing how we can prepare for the next pandemic.
Chief of Staff and the Associate Chief Medical Officer for Safety, Risk Management, and Infection Prevention and Control at Saint George Hospital University Medical Center (SGHUMC).
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Balamand.

As a consulting member of the National Coronavirus Experts Committee, which was established by the Lebanese Government to guide policy/decision-making efforts related to the pandemic, Dr. Azar will bring in the panel discussion his experience on how early intervention and coordinated efforts are of vital importance to effectively mange the pandemic. He will also share his thoughts on his mission as Chairman of the Lebanese Vaccine Executive Committee, to guide a faster and targeted vaccination effort in Lebanon.
Head, Shabrawishi Hospital Blood Transfusion and Hemophilia Treatment Center, Giza

With 35 years of expertise in the field of transfusion medicine, Dr El Ekiaby will bring into the panel discussion on pandemic preparedness, his point of view as haematologist and blood transfusion specialist.
Professor of Medicine, RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, Adliya
Senior Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiologist,
Bahrain Defence Force Royal Medical Services, Riffa
Member of the Bahrain National Taskforce for Combatting COVID-19

Professor Alqahtani will share his experience as a Member of the Bahrain National Taskforce for Combating COVID‑19, highlighting the role of microbiology laboratories in the fight of the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Clinical Professor, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
HIV/STI Specialist, Alberta Health Services – Edmonton STI Clinic, Edmonton, Alberta
Department of Medicine, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta

Professor Singh will highlight the global burden and trends of STIs and strategies for STI prevention and control in low- and high-risk groups. The role of different sampling methods and diagnostics, including the challenges involved and the importance of diagnostic tests for infection management, will be explored.
Professor, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva

Professor Negro will discuss the diagnostic tests available for hepatitis B and hepatitis C at the different stages of infection, the challenges involved with screening, and the role of HBV and HCV RNA assays in patient management.
Professor, Universities of Chester and Liverpool
Consultant in Sexual Health, Fountains Medical Centre, Chester

Professor O’Mahony’s presentation will explore the disparities associated with STIs, including varying prevalence in different populations, factors affecting access to sexual health services, as well as approaches to expand access to services for vulnerable populations. Challenges with patient monitoring and linkage to care will be covered, as well as recommendations for future best practice.
Infectious Disease Consultant, Al-Qassimi Hospital, UAE. Member of Infection control and Central antibiotic stewardship committee. Member of the Infectious disease society of American, board certified by the American Board of Medicine

With his extensive experience in the field of infectious diseases, with special interest in Hepatitis C virus, HIV and infectious disease in immune compromised patients, Dr Subhi will moderate the session on what has changed in the hepatitis and HIV management, due to COVID-19.

Senior Consultant in Clinical Virology, Head of Virology, Central Public Health Laboratories,
Ministry of Health, Oman

Dr Hanan Alkindi will share her thoughts on the changes in the HIV testing in the era of COVID-19.
Hepatology & Gastroenterology Associate professor at the National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute (NHTMRI), El Cairo. Health Minister's assistant for projects and public health initiatives in Egypt. CEO of the national committee for control of viral hepatitis (NCCVH). Director of the hepatitis elimination program.

Dr. Hassany will discuss the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on hepatitis screening and diagnosis.
Clinical Director of the Transplant Infectious Disease and Immunocompromised Host Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Viral infection and resultant complications are a major concern for transplantation patients. Using a patient case study as a guide, Professor Kotton will discuss global guidelines and the challenges associated with post-transplantation monitoring.

Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid

Professor López Medrano’s presentation will focus on the future of viral diagnostics for transplantation patients and will include challenges to overcome, implementation of strategies to reduce post-transplant complications, recommendations, and screening and monitoring developments.
Infectious Disease Consultant, Al-Qassimi Hospital, UAE. Member of Infection control and Central antibiotic stewardship committee. Member of the Infectious disease society of American, board certified by the American Board of Medicine

Dr. Subhi will share with the audience his thoughts and observation about the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on perinatal screening.
Associate Professor and Consultant in Maternal Fetal Medicine,
King Saud University, Riyadh
Associate Director, Research and Skill Enhancement Unit, Postgraduate Medical Education Center, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh
Director, Ian Donald School of Ultrasound, Riyadh
Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

With several publications in Maternal and Fetal Medicine peer-review journals, Professor Yasser Saber will explain the current epidemiological status of congenital infectious diseases in KSA.

Infectious Diseases Physician and Associate Medical Director of Clinical Microbiology at the
Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
Instructor in the Department of Population Medicine at the
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA

Dr Kanjilal’s keynote lecture will focus on the future of infectious disease diagnostics, in particular the use of artificial intelligence. He will explore how different digital tools and machine learning can improve diagnosis, medical decision-making, workflows, and management of infectious diseases, as well as the challenges of deploying these.
Director for International Affairs at the Microbiology and Mycology Program at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile

Professor O’Ryan will introduce the COVID-19 pandemic in LATAM, focusing in Chile, a pioneer country in vaccination and diagnosis in the region.
He will explore the challenges brought by the pandemic to the healthcare system, and how the country responded in terms of access to diagnostics, vaccinations, health policy measures and scientific research.
Consultant in Clinical Microbiology at
Laboratório Alta/DASA Hospital 9 de Julho, São Paulo
Emeritus Professor of Infectious Diseases at UNIFESP, São Paulo

Professor Pignatari’s presentation will focus on antimicrobial resistance in Latin America, describing the epidemiology and the main challenges in the region. He will explore the role of new diagnostic methods in tackling antimicrobial resistance and supporting antimicrobial stewardship programs.
Senior Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Juan Fernández Hospital, Buenos Aires
Director of the Huésped Foundation, Buenos Aires
Professor of Infectious Diseases at the Buenos Aires University Medical School,
Buenos Aires

Professor Cahn’s presentation will discuss the current status of the HIV epidemic in Latin America, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the current and new challenges for the region in terms of access to HIV diagnostics, therapy, and monitoring of the disease.
Head of Section of the Special Areas of Clinical Biochemistry and Head of the Liver Pathology Unit of the Biochemistry and Microbiology Services,
Hospital Universitario Vall Hebrón, Barcelona
Associate Professor of Biochemistry at UAB, Barcelona

Professor Frias will introduce the challenges of access to diagnostics in viral hepatitis and will describe the use of plasma separation cards to improve access to viral diagnostics (mainly hepatitis C).
Head of the Molecular Biology Unit at DASA
Researcher at the Tropical Medicine Institute in University of São Paulo, São Paulo

Dr Levi’s presentation will introduce Chagas disease, exploring the current epidemiology and diagnostics, and the use of molecular testing in different disease scenarios, future applications, and access to diagnostics and implementation.

Registration form

Please fill out the form to register for one or both the 2021 IRIDS Virtual Events, and then click submit.

You can choose to join either the Middle East Chapter, taking place from 6th to 8th of December, or the Latin America Chapter from 13th to 15th of December.

While the regional sessions will be different across the two events, the international sessions will be the same, still with a dedicated Q&A in each week.

Participation is free of charge.

Watch the 2020 IRIDS webinars!

Deep dive on what has been presented at the last event on the first response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of STDs and opportunities of lab integration, and the clinical challenges in HIV, HBV and HCV serology assays.
1st Webinar
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic: challenges in diagnostics and patient care
08/09/2020
2st Webinar
Monitoring populations at risk: The rise of STDs and opportunities of lab integration
15/09/2020
3rd Webinar
Clinical challenges in ID serology assays – focus on HIV, HBV and HCV
22/09/2020