EFGCP Better Medicines for Children Conference 2024

The EFGCP “Better Medicines for Children” Conference is an annual flagship event providing a unique opportunity to share best practice, reflect on what has happened since we last met in October 2023, and discuss paediatric updates with a truly global outreach. Despite an ever changing and challenging environment, we believe we have been able to organise a dynamic, innovative, and highly engaging conference to inform our delegates of the latest scientific and regulatory developments in the paediatric space.

Last year, when we met in October 2023, gave us the opportunity to finally reconnect in person after 3 years of virtual conferences due to the pandemic. This year will also be an in-person conference to happen in Brussels, at the Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel.

The conference will focus on “Common issues in clinical development amplified in paediatric drug development”, its challenges and solutions, and in particular its value, with a focus on what can be done and has been achieved in Europe, and this year also in the US and globally. To this effect, the conference will bring together distinguished speakers from all around the world and relevant stakeholders and experts involved in paediatric medicines development.

On Day One, further to a Key Note focusing on Mental Health and Neurologic Disorders in Children, there will be the opportunity to discuss implications of the new Mechanism of Action Paediatric Investigation Plan, which while considered a child-centric option,  is a new option considered by Policy makers who are still working on the revision of the Pharmaceutical Legislation.  Examples of successful EU-funded paediatric projects. One session will focus on multi-stakeholders’ collaboration knowing a number of initiatives are already planned to start in 2024, which will benefit all involved in medicines development including children. The last session will provide the opportunity to discuss the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Paediatric Drug Development

Active engagement of conference delegates will be welcomed in Breakout Sessions to share learnings, discuss challenges and identify solutions on what could be done to optimise childrens’ access to new medicines, with a focus on the important topics:

1.    Inclusion of Pregnant and Breastfeeding Individuals in Clinical Trials.

2.    Use of Real-World Data/Registries in Paediatric Drug Development.

3.    Paediatric-only medicines development/First in child companies.   

Day two will provide the opportunity to share Paediatric Collaboration Activities at the Global Level with a panel of regulators from various regions, such as Africa & Middle East, Japan, Australia, Canada, Europe, and the USA. This session will be complemented by a session on Childrens’ Access to Medicines in Developing Countries. Prior to sharing the feedback from Day 1’s Breakout Sessions, Health Technology Assessment (HTA) of Paediatric Medicines will be explored, to better understand what sponsors will be facing with the implementation of the HTA Regulation in early 2025.

The Programme Committee looks forward to welcoming you all at the conference for a global educational and networking event that is a unique opportunity to learn from one another, to meet and interact with experienced colleagues and experts from all over of the world.