LW1 – Grand Ballroom A – 13.00/14.00

TITLE: cobas i 601: new insights

CHAIR: Prof. Dr. Pieter Vermeersch –
Affiliation: KU Leuven; Leuven, Belgium

SPEAKER 1: Prof. Dr. Pieter Vermeersch  

SPEAKER 2: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Findeisen –
Affiliation: MVZ Laboratory Limbach; Heidelberg, Germany

PROGRAMME:
13:00 -13:05: Prof. Dr. Pieter Vermeersch: Introduction
13:00 – 13:35: Prof. Dr. Pieter Vermeersch
Advances in Mass Spectrometry: Automation, Integration, and Future Directions
13:35-14:00: Prof. Dr. med. Findeisen
The Power of Two: First Insights and Operational Experiences with the cobas i601 TWIN Configuration

Learning Objectives: Participants will identify operational, technical, and staffing challenges in 24/7 clinical LC-MS/MS environments, explain how automation improves workflows, evaluate performance metrics for automated platforms, and discuss the strategic integration and future trends of mass spectrometry in high-volume laboratories

 

 

 

LW3 – Grand Ballroom C – 13.00/14.00

TITLE: Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA): Advancing Clinical Diagnostics Beyond Conventional CLIA

CHAIR: to be defined

SPEAKER 1: Dr. Manish Dattatraya Karekar
Affiliation: Senior Director, Medgenome, India

SPEAKER 2: Dr. Dharmveer Yadav
Affiliation: Professor, Department of Biochemistry at AIIMS, Jodhpur, India

PROGRAMME:

13:00–13:10 – Opening Remarks Welcome and Introduction by Chair
13:10–13:40 – Keynote Presentation – Dr. Manish Dattatraya Karekar
“Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA): Advancing Clinical Diagnostics Beyond Conventional CLIA”
13:40–13:55 – Interactive Session – Q&A by Dr. Manish Karekar and audience
13:55–14:00 – Closing Summary and Closing Remarks by Chair

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the fundamental principles of Electrochemiluminescence (ECLIA) technology and its key advantages over conventional CLIA.
2. Learn how ECLIA offers superior performance, particularly in critical clinical assays such as cardiac markers and hormones.
3. Identify practical applications and workflow integration of ECLIA in routine laboratory settings to improve diagnostic accuracy and turnaround time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EDUW1 – Grand Ballroom A – 17.00 / 18.00

TITLE: Cost-Utility Analysis of Biomarker-Based vs. USG+AFP Strategies for HCC Surveillance in Chronic Hepatitis B

Moderator: Dr Matthew Prime
Affiliation: Roche

SPEAKER 1: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Apichat Kaewdech
Affiliation: Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Thailand

 

Learning Objectives:

Understand the limits of traditional liver cancer screening: Learn why standard ultrasound and blood test methods face real-world challenges such as specialist shortages, high lifetime costs, and lower accuracy in catching early-stage cancer.

Discover advanced algorithm-based blood tests: Learn how modern screening tools combine basic patient demographics like age and sex with biological markers to provide a highly accurate, non-invasive alternative to traditional imaging.

Evaluate the costs and health benefits of screening: See how lifetime healthcare costs were weighed against quality-of-life improvements using simulated medical data to measure true value.

Identify the most effective strategy for resource-limited settings: Discover why specific biomarker algorithms performed every six months offer the best patient outcomes and the most efficient use of healthcare budgets.

 

 

 

 

 

LW5 – Grand Ballroom A – 13.00/14.00

TITLE: From Assay to Action: Advancing Lp(a) Testing for Cardiovascular Risk Management

CHAIR: Prof. Dr. Raman Puri
Affiliation: Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi (India)

SPEAKER 1: Prof. Dr. Raman Puri
Affiliation: Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi (India)

SPEAKER 2: Prof. Dr. Florian Kronenberg
Affiliation: Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck (Austria)

SPEAKER 3: Dr Leslie J. Donato
Affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Rochester (United States)

PROGRAMME:

13:00-13:05 – Prof. Dr. Raman Puri: Welcome & Session Introduction
13:05-13:20 – Prof. Dr. Raman Puri – The burden of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) in India and the amplifying effect of elevated Lp(a)
13:20-13:35 – Prof. Dr. Florian Kronenberg – Unraveling the Genetic Architecture and Epidemiological Reality of Lipoprotein(a)
13:35-13:50 – Prof. Dr. Leslie Donato – Overcoming Analytical Hurdles in Lp(a) Quantification
13:50-14:00 – Q&A

Learning Objectives:

– Understand the latest global and local clinical practice guidelines recommending Lipoprotein(a) measurement as an independent, inherited cardiovascular risk factor

– Evaluate current laboratory challenges in assay standardization and identify best practices for clear, clinically meaningful reporting of Lp(a)results.

– Integrate enhanced Lp(a) testing strategies into routine clinical practice to improve cardiovascular risk assessment, patient identification, and future therapeutic management.

– Evaluate global and local testing considerations, the clinical significance of elevated Lp(a), and how improved testing practices can support cardiovascular risk assessment, patient identification, and future clinical management

 

 

 

LW6 – Grand Ballroom B – 13.00/14.00

TITLE: Smart Connected Labs: Driving Right Results at the Right Time

CHAIR: Dr Pradeep Kumar Dabla Affiliation: Director, Professor & HOD, Department of Biochemistry, GB Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (GIPMER) Delhi.

SPEAKER 1: Dr Anil Handoo Affiliation: Principal Director, Max Healthcare, New Delhi Title: “Beyond Testing: Building a high performance Laboratory that transforms Patient care”

SPEAKER 2: Dr Radhika Chowdary Affiliation: Senior Consultant Biochemist and Chief of Lab, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Secunderabad Title: “Connected Labs, Smarter Decisions: The Power of Informatics”

PROGRAMME: Each of the above talks will last 30 minutes.

Learning Objectives:

– Learn from real-world experiences of leading network hospitals in leveraging informatics, automation, and leadership to build connected, high-performing laboratory networks.

– Explore best practices in multisite standardization, quality governance, operational excellence, process automation, reduced manual interventions, and stronger clinician collaboration.

– Identify practical strategies to address common laboratory challenges faced by laboratory leaders, and adopt technologies that enhance laboratory performance, clinical value, patient experience, and healthcare outcomes.

 

 

LW7 – Grand Ballroom C – 13.00/14.00

TITLE: Beyond Organ Silos: Connecting the Heart, Kidney, and Liver in Cardiometabolic Disease

MODERATOR: Anil Handoo, MD
Affiliation: Principal Director & Head of Laboratory Services – BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, Max Healthcare, New Delhi, India

PANELIST 1 – Cardiologist: Torbjørn Omland, MD, PhD, MPH, FESC, FACC
Affiliation: Deputy Head, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway

PANELIST 2 – Hepatologist: Dr. Apichat Kaewdech, MD
Affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand

PANELIST 3 – Endocrinologist: Prof. Shashank R Joshi, MD, DM, FICP, FACP, FACE, Hon D.Sc.(Med), FRCP, MACE, (Padmashri Awardee)

Consultant Endocrinologist, Lilavati & Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, India

PROGRAMME:

13:00-13:05 – Welcome & Introduction
13:05-13:50 – Discussion with the 3 panelists
13:50-14:00 – Q&A

Learning Objectives:

Understand the links between heart, metabolic, liver, and kidney diseases. Review current screening approaches for cardio metabolic, liver and renal risk. Explore the role of biomarkers in early disease detection and monitoring. Learn how different specialties approach patients with overlapping organ-system risks. Identify practical strategies for integrated, patient-centered screening and care.

 

 

LW8 – Room B101A – 13.00/14.00

TITLE: Advancing Multiple Myeloma Diagnosis through Integrated Laboratory Solutions from Screening to MRD monitoring

CHAIR: Nitin Kapoor
Affiliation: Sebia Diagnostics India Pvt Ltd – MBA in Biotechnology

SPEAKER 1: Dr. Matthias Orth
Affiliation: Head of the Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Marienhospital of Vinzenz von Paul Kliniken GmbH in Stuttgart, Germany

SPEAKER 2: Dr. Siddhartha Sharma
Affiliation: Sebia Diagnostics India Pvt Ltd – Pathologist with 19 years of experience in the field

PROGRAMME:

13:00-13:30 – Dr. Orth – FLC discussion
13:30-14:00 – Dr. Sharma – Total MM solution from screening to MRD monitoring

Learning Objectives:

This session will provide an overview of Total Multiple Myeloma Diagnostic Solution and the role of serum free light chain (FLC) measurement within current international guidelines. Participants will gain insights into the clinical value of FLC testing in the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of multiple myeloma and related plasma cell disorders. Through clinical case studies and practical laboratory perspectives, participants will gain insights into optimizing multiple myeloma testing strategies, improving diagnostic confidence, and supporting comprehensive patient management across all stages of disease care.

 

 

 

 

 

LW9 – Grand Ballroom A – 13.00/14.00

TITLE: From Measurement to Meaning: Harmonising High-Sensitivity Troponin Testing

CHAIR:  Prof Dr Nicholas Mills
Affiliation: University of Edinburgh, Scotland

SPEAKER 1: Dr Kristin M. Aakre
Affiliation: University of Bergen, Norway

SPEAKER 2: Prof Dr Nicholas Mills
Affiliation: University of Edinburgh, Scotland

SPEAKER 3: Dr Ambarish Pandey
Affiliation: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, US

PROGRAMME:

13:00-13:12 – Kristin Aakre – Analytical Evolution of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Assays: Implications for Clinical Laboratories

13:12-13:24 – Nick Mills – Defining and Applying Decision Thresholds: From Assay-Specific Cut-offs to Guideline Implementation
13:24-13:36 – Ambarish Pandey – Beyond the Threshold: Implications for Risk Classification and Clinical Interpretation
13:36-13:51 Panel Discussion – From Measurement to Meaning: Can We Harmonise High-Sensitivity Troponin Testing Across Clinical Settings?
13:51-14:00 Q&A

Learning Objectives: By the end of this symposium, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the analytical evolution of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays and understand how advances in assay design impact analytical performance, comparability, and laboratory practice.

2. Explain the principles underlying assay-specific decision thresholds for high-sensitivity cardiac troponin testing and their integration into contemporary clinical guidelines and accelerated diagnostic pathways.

3. Interpret cardiac troponin concentrations in diverse clinical settings, recognizing the influence of biological variation, patient characteristics, and comorbidities on risk stratification and clinical decision-making.

4. Evaluate the challenges and opportunities for standardising cardiac biomarker testing across laboratory platforms, healthcare systems, and point-of-care settings.

5. Apply best-practice approaches for implementing high-sensitivity troponin testing and clinical pathways, ensuring consistent interpretation and optimal patient management across care environments.

 

 

LW10 – Grand Ballroom B – 13.00/14.00

TITLE: Advancing Newborn Screening Efficiency: Automation, Lean Processes, and Two-Tier Mass Spectrometry Testing

CHAIR:  Fionn Quinlan
Affiliation: Waters Advanced Diagnostics, APAC Clinical LCMS Segment Mkt Manager

SPEAKER 1: Prof Ronda Greaves
Affiliation: Deputy Head Biochemical Genetics at the Victorian Clinical Genetics Services (VCGS), Melbourne, Australia

SPEAKER 2: Dr Mark De Hora
Affiliation: Clinical Scientist, Biochemical Genetics and Newborn Screening, Specialist Chemical Pathology, Auckland, New Zealand

PROGRAMME:

13:00-13:30 – Speaker: Prof Ronda Greaves
Title: Advancing Newborn Screening Efficiency: Automation, Lean Processes, and Two-Tier Mass Spectrometry Testing
13:30-14:00 – Speaker: Dr. Mark De Hora
Title: Use of LC-MS/MS analysis in urine, plasma and dried bloodspots for the screening and diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism

Learning Objectives:

Learn how leading biochemical genetics and newborn screening laboratories in Australia and New Zealand meet the demanding challenges of expanded newborn screening while dealing with high sample throughput, rapid turnaround times, diverse biological matrices and analytical instrumentation. This must all be achieved while continuously improving the service in operation and remaining cost effective.

Understand how reducing false positives for diseases such as CAH, X-ALD, MSUD and Homocystinuria by implementing multi-tier strategies utilizing Mass Spectrometry is critical to this process.