FOP Drug Development Forum

In support of our vision for safe and transformative therapies for people with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), the International FOP Association (IFOPA) is hosting the 6th FOP Drug Development Forum (DDF) on June 27-28, 2024, with a Welcome Dinner on June 26. This year’s DDF will be offered as a hybrid event with both in-person and virtual attendance options. The in-person event will be held in Stockholm, Sweden.

Due to the content being shared, the DDF is a meeting designed only for researchers, clinician scientists, pharmaceutical/biotech employees, and employees of regulatory agencies. 

Key objectives of the DDF include:

• Advance research collaboration among all members of the FOP research and development pipeline through the sharing and discussion of emerging FOP data

• Highlight gaps in our understanding of FOP disease pathogenesis that could offer new therapeutic options

• Create opportunities for biotech and pharmaceutical companies, academic researchers and clinician scientists to take on shared challenges

Among rare diseases, the FOP research space is one of the most active and exciting. With the first-ever treatment for FOP approved in select countries and five active FOP clinical trials, there is still an abundance of preclinical research with the potential to be translated into safe and effective new medicines. Molecules advancing drug discovery, advanced therapeutic modalities and new technologies must continually be explored for their potential to treat understudied signs and symptoms of FOP. FOP-specific pain, unexplained stiffness in the absence of ectopic bone, and the initiation and maintenance of flare-ups beg ground-floor investigation for viable drug targets.

The DDF agenda is designed to maximize dialogue and information exchange and to foster an environment of collaboration, as well as constructive criticism, among participants.

This year’s event will include similar elements of prior DDFs with short, 12-minute “FOP Talks,” grouped in sessions that cover learnings from clinical trials, observational research, and rational drug design. To continue to feed the FOP research and development pipeline until safe, effective and tolerable treatments are available to all those who need them, this year’s DDF will include a session on untargeted discovery in FOP.

As always, the agenda will include panel discussions (including a voice of the patient panel) and time for questions at the end of each “FOP Talks” session. We will leave ample time for informal discussion and connection over coffee breaks and meals.

Details about virtual attendance: Attending virtually provides the ability to watch the sessions remotely. DDF sessions are NOT posted on the IFOPA website or YouTube channel. You must be registered to watch virtually or attend the DDF in person.

Your DDF registration fee includes the June 26 Welcome Dinner plus the dinner on June 27, as well as lunch on both June 27 & 28 and coffee breaks throughout the day. Breakfast is included in the cost of your sleeping room. Please note that registration rates will increase by $100 on March 2. 

Complimentary registrations are included with DDF sponsorship. If you are interested in attending, please first confirm if your company is planning to sponsor the event as you may be able to use one of their complimentary registrations. 

If you are planning to bring a guest to the event, they are welcome to join us for the reception and/or dinner on June 26 (ticket is $55) and the reception and/or dinner on June 27 (ticket is $75). 

If you are planning to bring a guest to the event, they are welcome to join us for the June 26 welcome dinner (ticket is $75) and/or the June 27 dinner (ticket is $75). 

Each year we offer varying levels of sponsorship which include, among other entitlements, complimentary registrations for the DDF. To receive a sponsorship prospectus, email us at ddf@ifopa.org.

HOTEL VENUE AND SLEEPING ROOM RATE

The DDF venue is the Elite Hotel Marina Tower in Stockholm. While our group block is closed, please follow the link below to still book a room at the hotel.

TRAVEL AND LODGING STIPENDS

The stipend application has passed.

INVITATION LETTERS AND OTHER QUESTIONS

If you require an invitation letter to obtain a travel visa or have other questions, please email us at ddf@ifopa.org. 

Respondents are in the United States in the Central time zone and respond on business days 

typically within 24 to 48 hours. 

To receive updates on FOP research including grant opportunities and IFOPA programs and services, 

visit ifopa.org/connect

To receive dedicated emails about FOP clinical studies and trials, 

visit ifopa.org/clinical_trial_alerts