Barry J Byrne, MD, PhD, on MDA’s Upcoming 2026 Clinical & Scientific Conference

"There will be some tracks on cell and gene therapy throughout the meeting. Certainly, we've faced a number of safety events that have come to light in these past 6 months. Strategies for mitigating risk and therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes I think will be part of what people will come away with from those sessions. To improve safety, obviously, is critical."

As an organization dedicated to serving the community of patients with neuromuscular disorders, both those with muscular dystrophies and those with other types of neuromuscular disease, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) holds its Clinical & Scientific Conference each year to bring together physicians, clinical trial investigators, academic researchers, patient advocates, biotech executives, and other stakeholders to share and discuss the latest findings in neuromuscular disease research. This year, the meeting will be held from March 8 to 11, 2026, in Orlando, Florida.

In the lead up to the meeting, CGTLive® reached out to Barry J Byrne, MD, PhD, the chief medical advisor of MDA and a physician-scientist at the University of Florida, to learn more about what attendees can expect at this year’s event, especially regarding this year’s various tracks. He described the meeting as a key gathering place for providers across the neuromuscular care spectrum to connect and learn about cutting edge therapies. The conference this year features dedicated tracks, including ones for neurologists and neuromuscular specialists, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) care, allied health professionals, and drug development.

Byrne also highlighted the opening session, featuring Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) CEO John Crowley, JD, MBA, who will speak about drug development and patient advocacy, particularly in rare neuromuscular diseases. Byrne additionally noted that he is personally looking forward to late breaking clinical trial results traditionally presented on the final day. He added that cell and gene therapy will be an important topic this year, including discussions on safety, risk mitigation, and next generation therapies now entering the clinic.

Click here to register for the upcoming 2026 MDA Conference.