S5 - E17.1 - Previewing EASL Congress 2024: Secretary General Aleksander Krag Shares His Vision For The Congress

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This first conversation from our EASL Congress 2024 preview starts with EASL Secretary General Aleksander Krag offering his vision for next week's meeting in Milano, after which Hannes Hagstrom shares some of his thoughts about the meeting design. 

Aleksander starts by discussing the preparation that has gone into this Congress since the Vienna meeting closed last August. The goals are ambitious, but he feels EASL has, by and large, succeeded. Aleksander mentions that 7,000+ people have registered, including 80+ companies and 25+ patient groups.  and that researchers submitted 3,000 abstracts, 2,000 of which have been accepted. "Almost 300 different types of sessions" with 450 faculty members focus on: 

• The one approved MASLD drug and nine others in late-stage development, including "several Phase 2 studies"
• Breakthroughs on non-invasive tests 
• An update on the "one-year baby" nomenclature, including a look at alcohol in the context of ALD and MetALD
• Enhanced understanding of the underlying disease.

He also highlights the EASL Studio as a "relaxed" place to listen to important discussions. Finally, he praises Milan's charms, particularly its food and wine. 

Hannes describes the scale of the program as "like going to a place with a lot of good restaurants, but you only have one stomach," with not only research presentation sessions but also an array of meetings. He also commends the design element that places young researchers in prominent positions. Aleksander notes that some choices of chairs and events are designed specifically to move the public dialogue beyond "the usual suspects."