The ninth annual gathering featured updates on diagnostic tools and the launch of a multilingual digital platform for lung disease management.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Digital Support Platform: The European Lung Foundation (ELF) launched ELF Connect, a multilingual digital hub providing self-management resources and community support for patients with bronchiectasis.
- Clinical and AI Updates: The conference showcased advancements in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) management, AI-enabled diagnostic tools, and results from recent clinical trials.
- Patient-Centered Research: For the first time, the program included a dedicated track on the psychosocial impact of the disease to ensure patient perspectives influence future research and healthcare design.
Experts and healthcare organizations gathered in Hannover, Germany, last week for the 9th World Bronchiectasis Conference (WBC 2026) to share updates on clinical care, research findings, and new digital resources.
Organized by the European Bronchiectasis Registry (EMBARC), the conference focused on technical developments in the field, including nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) management, new diagnostic tools, AI-enabled technology, and findings from recent clinical trials. For the first time, the event featured a dedicated track exploring the psychosocial impact of bronchiectasis to ensure the patient voice remains central to research and care design.
A significant highlight of the event was the launch of ELF Connect, a multilingual digital platform dedicated to the condition. Developed in collaboration with patients and clinicians across Europe, the platform provides a central hub for reliable information, self-management resources, and community support. The resource is free to access and available in multiple languages, according to a news release from the European Lung Foundation (ELF).
Members of the ELF Bronchiectasis Patient Advisory Group (PAG) chaired sessions and contributed to discussions alongside global experts. These contributions are intended to ensure that healthcare strategies reflect the real-world needs of those living with the disease.
The conference concluded ahead of World Bronchiectasis Day on July 1, 2026. The annual awareness day focuses on education and advocacy to reduce the global burden of the disease for patients and their families. As part of the scheduled activities, ELF and EMBARC will host a webinar on July 1 centered on airway clearance techniques and their role in daily bronchiectasis management.
