2026 VCP International Scientific and Community Summit
We invite scientists, researchers, and patients to come together for 2026 VCP International Scientific and Community Summit, a premier summit dedicated to advancing VCP-associated multisystem proteinopathy (aka VCP disease) research and strengthening our community.
Agenda
Days 1 and 2 feature cutting-edge scientific sessions designed for researchers, with a special collaborative afternoon session on Day 2 that brings scientists, clinicians, and patients together to drive meaningful dialogue and shared priorities. Day 3 focuses entirely on patient-centered topics and community discussions.
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Session 1: VCP Biochemistry and Structural Biology
Session 2: VCP Co-Factors and Protein Interactions
Session 3: VCP Localization and Cellular Functions
Keynote: Bridging ALS and VCP Disease - Lessons for Therapeutic Development Speaker
Session 4: Converging pathways in proteinopathy: Translating Insights to VCP
Session 5: Therapeutic Development in VCP-MSP
Session 6: From Lab to Life - Translating Science into Solutions
Session 7: The Diagnostic Journey - Breaking Down Barriers to Recognition
Session 8: What's Next? Defining Research Priorities Together
Session 9: The Clinical Picture For Patients - Understanding VCP's Many Faces
Roundtable: Researchers and Clinicians Only
Session 10: Best Practices Unplugged - Real Talk from Real Patients
Session 11: Behind the Curtain - What Clinical Trials Really Look Like
Session 12: The Whole Person Approach - Life Beyond Diagnosis​
Keynote Speaker
Speaker: Michael Benatar, MD, PhD
University of Miami
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Join us for an illuminating keynote that traces the scientific journey of discovering ALS as part of the MSP spectrum and explores its implications for VCP disease understanding. Dr. Benatar will share insights from his groundbreaking work in ALS and pre-symptomatic disease research, highlighting how drug development strategies and collaborative research models from the ALS field can inform therapeutic approaches for VCP-MSP. Drawing on his leadership with the CREATE Consortium, Dr. Benatar will discuss lessons learned from building research infrastructure and fostering community collaboration—offering a roadmap for accelerating progress in rare disease research. This keynote sets the foundation for our conference's exploration of translating insights across disease states to advance patient care and treatment development.
Abstract and Poster
Presentations
The Summit will feature poster presentations from researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates working across the VCP disease spectrum.
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Poster presentations address topics relevant to VCP-related diseases, including basic science, translational research, clinical findings, and patient/caregiver perspectives. This showcase brings together cutting-edge research and real-world insights, creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue between scientists, clinicians, patients, and families from around the world.
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The poster session is a cornerstone of the Summit – where discoveries are shared, collaborations begin, and the VCP community connects around the science driving us forward.