International research and networking in focus: Life Science Meeting 2026 at IMC Krems

PhD Day strengthens early-career researchers

The Life Science Meeting officially commenced on 21 April with a dedicated PhD Day, organised in cooperation with the Universität für Weiterbildung Krems (University for Continuing Education Krems) and the Medizinische Universität Wien (Medical University of Vienna). Doctoral candidates presented their research projects and, in the subsequent discussion round, answered students’ questions on challenges, insights and everyday life in academia.

Focus on therapy delivery and OMICS technologies

A key topic of this year’s Life Science Meeting was how modern therapies can be delivered efficiently and precisely to their site of action. Advances in areas such as RNA-based therapies, gene editing using CRISPR, CAR T-cell technologies and stem cell research have led to significant breakthroughs in recent years, particularly in cancer research. At the same time, the development of suitable delivery strategies is increasingly becoming a central focus of biomedical research.

Christoph Metzner, Head of the master degree programme Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at IMC Krems, emphasised the importance of this issue: despite major progress in the development of innovative therapies, efficient and targeted delivery remains one of the greatest challenges. In particular, non-viral nanoparticulate systems such as extracellular vesicles and lipid nanoparticles offer promising approaches to delivering therapies precisely to diseased tissues while minimising side effects.

In addition, OMICS technologies also played an important role in the programme. They enable in-depth insights into biological systems and form an essential basis for the development of personalised and data-driven therapeutic approaches.

The part-time master degree programme OMICS Technologies and Data Science in Biomedicine at IMC Krems, led by Andreas Lackner, builds on these topics. Students benefit from the expertise of IMC lecturers and researchers as well as from external teaching staff and the pharmaceutical and biotech network of the IMC research institute Krems Bioanalytics. This creates a valuable link between research, teaching and industry.

International expertise and high-profile keynotes

A particular highlight of the Life Science Meeting 2026 was the keynote by Jan Lötvall, Professor at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. In his lecture, “Targeting the immune system with Extracellular Vesicle Medicines”, he demonstrated the potential of these long underestimated structures for modern medicine. Today, they are considered promising tools for therapeutic applications, ranging from regenerative medicine to tumour therapy, and are opening up new avenues for innovative RNA-based treatment approaches.

In addition, numerous international experts presented current research findings. A total of 13 representatives from international universities, along with numerous industry representatives, underlined the global orientation of the Life Science Meeting in their presentations and offered participants a wide range of opportunities for professional exchange and international networking.

Alongside IMC Krems, two other members of UP University¹ took part in the Life Science Meeting: Susanna Bodoy from the Biosciences Department at the University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia in Spain spoke on “Amino Acid Transport and Hematopoiesis: Insights from Slc7a7 roles”. Elia Bari from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Piemonte Orientale in Novara, Italy, delivered the lecture “From drug delivery to immune redirection: silk fibroin nanoparticles as a versatile biomedical platform”.

^{(1) UP University brings together 11 universities from across Europe to form a dynamic network dedicated to education, research and the exchange of knowledge.}

Alumni as a bridge to industry

The strong involvement of alumni once again proved to be a particular added value of the Life Science Meeting. Numerous graduates of IMC Krems, now working in the international biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, returned as speakers or participants. They act as an important interface between academia and practice and highlighted current career paths. Current students thus benefit from valuable insights, contacts and networking opportunities.

Role models such as IMC graduate Theresa Auer, Head of Compliance and Inspections and Deputy Head of Quality Assurance at Octapharma, demonstrate how the practice-oriented higher education at IMC Krems facilitates entry into successful international careers in biotechnology.

Further expansion of international cooperation

The Life Science Meeting 2026 once again highlighted the importance of international collaboration. The continuous expansion of partnerships with international higher education institutions, for example through exchange programmes and double degree opportunities, sustainably strengthens the global network of IMC Krems and creates additional perspectives for students and researchers.

Positive feedback

“The Life Science Meeting at IMC Krems once again clearly demonstrates how dynamically biomedical research is evolving, particularly at the interface between innovative therapies and their application. At the same time, the event provides a key platform each year for international exchange, new collaborations and the promotion of early-career researchers,” concludes Harald Hundsberger, Head of the Institute of Biotechnology and Head of the bachelor degree programme Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at IMC Krems.

“With the successful implementation of the Life Science Meeting 2026, IMC Krems further consolidates its role as an internationally connected higher education institution and as an important driving force for the future of biotechnology,” affirms Ulrike Prommer, CEO of IMC Krems.