We are delighted to announce the Final IMMUNO-model Annual Conference – Building Bridges in Cancer Immunotherapy Modelling, where we will celebrate the culmination of four years dedicated to fostering research and innovation in the field of preclinical immuno-oncology models. This event will bring together researchers, clinicians and industry partners, to exchange insights and celebrate the achievements of IMMUNO-model community.

The conference will include a scientific program with lectures and poster presentations, as well as
roundtable discussions and opportunities for face-to-face meetings with industry. These interactions
aim to facilitate new collaborations and accelerate the translation of fundamental immuno-oncology
research into treatment advances for patients.

The conference will also host the TGRC Symposium, which will explore gender from both a scientific
and a structural perspective, featuring sessions on gender equality in research and clinical practice, the impact of sex differences on immunology and immunotherapy, and the relevance of incorporating
gender into advanced experimental models. The programme includes invited expert talks, a panel
discussion, and an industry pitching and networking session designed to foster interaction and new
opportunities for collaboration.

The final conference agenda – featuring keynote speakers, invited talks, and short presentations across seven sessions – is now available here.

Book of Abstracts is now available here.

If you would like to join us online please follow this link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/336034053048276?p=F3Ob9o937OBjaLLC6K

Meeting Venue National Institute of Biology (NIB)l, 121 Večna pot, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia,
https://www.nib.si/eng/

GOOGLEMAPS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hy3uhgaKoeRb4Xmb6

The National Institute of Biology (NIB) is a leading public research institute in the field of biology and
related natural and environmental sciences in Slovenia.

Reimbursement Speakers and abstract presenters will be eligible for travel reimbursement subject to budget availability and in line with COST Travel Reimbursement Rules (https://www.cost.eu/uploads/2025/11/COST-TRR-Rules-2025-2026.pdf). Priority will be given to IMMUNO-model COST Action members. Successful participants will be notified by 6th of April 2026.

Key Dates

Registration opens: 19/01/2026 – 20/03/2026
Deadline for in-person final registration: 06/04/2026
Deadline for online registration: 06/04/2026
Deadline for Abstract submission: 19/01/2026 – 20/03/2026
Decision and notification of Abstract and reimbursement acceptance: 06/04/2026

TIPS FOR TRAVEL

TRANSPORT

Coming from Jože Pučnik (Brnik) Ljubljana airport:
Buses: https://www.lju-airport.si/en/transport/bus/
you can book it in advance: https://www.nomago.si/en/shuttle/ljubljana-airport
GoOpti shuttle: https://www.goopti.com/en/
Train station in Ljubljana: https://www.visitljubljana.com/en/poi/ljubljana-railway-station/
Transport in the city of Ljubljana:
Walk, rent a bike https://www.visitljubljana.com/en/visitors/travel-information/gettingaround/bicikelj/
For the city bus (LPP) you can use Urbana app, you can get Urbana card or you can simply pay with
your credit card on the bus: https://www.lpp.si/en/payment-methods

RECOMMENDED PLACES TO STAY

ČAD

GOSTILNA, HOTEL, BISTRO ČAD
Cesta na Rožnik 18, 1000 Ljubljana
Contact: https://hotel-cad.si/
walking distance to NIB: 1,8 km/23 min
driving distance to NIB: 1,8 km/2 min
Bus (LPP): line no. 18
walking distance to city centre: 30 min
driving distance to city centre: 3,2 km/10 min

Tivoli boutique inn

Žibertova 15, 1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia | Europe
+386 (0) 59 731 731
info@tivoliboutiqueinn.com
https://tivoliboutiqueinn.com/index.html
walking distance to NIB: 5 km/48 min
driving distance to NIB: 5 km/12 min
Bus (LPP): line no. 18
walking distance to city centre: 20 min
driving distance to city centre: 2 km/ 5 min

InterContinental Ljubljana

Slovenska cesta 59 Ljubljana 1000
Contact: https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/us/en/ljubljana/ljuha/hoteldetail
walking distance to NIB: 4.3 km/51 min
driving distance to NIB: 4,3 km/10 min
Bus (LPP): several+ line no. 18, 19 min
walking distance to city centre: 10 min
driving distance to city centre: 1 km/5 min

Cityhotel Ljubljana

Dalmatinova ulica 15, 1000 Ljubljana
Contact: https://www.cityhotel.si/en/
walking distance to NIB: 3.7 km/51 min
driving distance to NIB: 4,5 km/11 min
Bus (LPP): several+ line no. 18, 19 min
walking distance to city centre: 1 min
driving distance to city centre: 100 m/1 min

Hotel Slon Ljubljana

Slovenska cesta 34 Ljubljana 1000 Slovenia
Contact: https://www.hotelslon.com/
walking distance to NIB: 4.8 km/44 min
driving distance to NIB: 4,8 km/13 min
Bus (LPP) line no. 18: 16 min
walking distance to city centre: 3min

Four Points by Sheraton Ljubljana Mons

Pot za Brdom 4, Ljubljana, 1000 Slovenia
Contact: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ljufp-four-points-ljubljana-mons/overview/
walking distance to NIB: 1,9 km/27 min
driving distance to NIB: 3,1 km/6 min
Bus (LPP)/walking distance to city centre: 1h

CONTACTS FOR MORE INFORMATION

Barbara Breznik; barbara.brenzik@nib.si
Metka Novak; metka.novak@nib.si

This event will be held on the 9th February 2026 in Barcelona, at the Science Museum COSMOCAIXA and will feature leading international experts, amongst those who already confirmed participation:

• Frances Balkwill – Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London (London, UK).
• Calvin J. Kuo – Stanford University School of Medicine (Palo Alto, USA).
• Maria Carla Parrini – Institut Curie, INSERM, Paris (FR).

Download full program here.

Download Book of Abstracts here.

Who should attend?
Researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals in cancer immunotherapy, translational oncology, and preclinical modelling.

IMMUNO-model members will have the opportunity of presenting their work. For this event, IMMUNO-Model COST Action will financially support some attendants with oral presentations. Selected presenters will be eligible to receive reimbursement for travel and accommodation costs, in line with COST Travel Reimbursement Rules, and subject to funds availability.

Important dates:

• 05/11/2025: Registration opens for abstract submissions and passive attendance
• 15/12/2025: Deadline for submitting abstracts and passive attendance
• 12/01/2026: Confirmation of admission at the event for both abstract presenters and passive attendance

For more information, please follow our social media channels!

Join us for a one-day international symposium exploring the latest advances in 3D modelling of immunotherapy, from patient-derived organoids and tumour-on-chip platforms to innovative preclinical models that bring research closer to clinical application.

The event will feature leading international experts, amongst those who already confirmed participation:

• Emile Voest – The Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI), Amsterdam (NL)
• Frances Balkwill – Barts Cancer Institute, London (UK)
• Calvin J. Kuo – Stanford University (USA)
• Maria Carla Parrini – Institut Curie, INSERM, Paris (FR)

Who should attend?
Researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals in cancer immunotherapy, translational oncology, and preclinical modelling.

IMMUNO-model members will have the opportunity of presenting their work.

Hybrid format: Attend in person in Barcelona or join us online.

→ Registrations will open at the end of October 2025!

The Annual Meeting workshop on “pre-clinical Models to the search for biomarkers in Immuno Oncology” has been an important event for advancing knowledge in immune-models and to establish and/or strengthen scientific collaborations in the field.

With approximately 150 participants attending both in person and online, the conference provided a platform for sharing expertise and research among senior and young speakers.

Application and abstract submission: IMMUNO-model Second Annual Conference (sav.sk)

You can read the publication here.

This report describes the proceedings of a two-day conference organized by the European Network for Sinonasal Cancer Research (EUSICA) and COST Action ‘IMMUNO-model’, fostering such collaboration and focusing on preclinical tumor and immuno models, surgical and radio-oncological treatments, core facilities for genetic characterization and molecular tumor classification, and cancer registry.

With respect to the objectives of our Action, it is important to highlight the participation of Dr Russell W. Jenkins, from the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center (USA), who presented his work on ex vivo models for the study of the response of immunotherapies based on immune checkpoint inhibitors. Also, Dr. Anja K. Wege from the University Hospital Regensburg (Germany) gave a lecture about humanized mouse models.

In addition, a call for abstracts was organized for young investigators with 7 participants in total. Prizes were awarded to the three best presenters: Louisa Hell from the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (Germany); Rocio Garcia-Marin from the Instituto de Investigacion sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (Spain) and Sannia Sjösted from the University of Copenhagen (Denmark).

The last session was devoted to discuss possible future collaborations between EUSICA and IMMUNO-model. The WS was a success with more than 60 participants, among them, our Chair Eva Martinez-Balibrea from the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP) and the Catalan Institute of Oncology (Badalona, Spain) and Vice-Chair Leticia Oliveira-Ferrer from the University of Hamburg-Eppendorf (Germany) attended the meeting in person and participated as presenters and chairs of different sessions.

Picture attached: 
1. Part of the organizing committee: Eva Martinez-Balibrea, IMMUNO-model Chair 
Mario Hermsen, Instituto de investigación sanitaria del principado de Asturias (Spain) 
Matt Lechner, University College London (UK) 
Christian Von Buchwald, Righospitalet (Denmark) 
Patrick Rene Gerhard Eriksen, Righospitalet (Denmark) 
2. General view, speaker Robbie Woods 
3. Russel W Jenkins’ talk