Returning to Hannover where it was first established, the upcoming World Bronchiectasis Conference will bring together a global network of experts.
The World Bronchiectasis Conference (WBC) is a leading international meeting dedicated to advancing research, clinical care and collaboration in bronchiectasis, bringing together a global community of clinicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, industry partners and patients. This year’s meeting (24–27 June) marks 10 years of rapid progress and sets the stage for the next era of innovation.
In this Q&A, Organising Committee Co-Chair Prof. Felix C. Ringshausen (Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany) reflects on the evolution of the field, the role of EMBARC in driving progress, this year’s theme “Paving the Way for the Next Generation,” and the key scientific and clinical advances shaping this year’s World Bronchiectasis Conference.
New insights are added regularly, covering a broad range of subspecialties and evolving clinical scenarios. Sign up below for Free Access to the latest clinical updates in your specialty!
WBC 2026 marks the 10-year anniversary of the conference. What does this milestone represent for you and for the bronchiectasis community?
For me, this milestone is both a moment of reflection and a springboard for what comes next. When we held the first World Bronchiectasis Conference 10 years ago, bronchiectasis was still relatively under-recognized, often sitting on the margins of respiratory medicine. Since then, we’ve seen remarkable progress in scientific understanding, in clinical awareness, and in the development of more targeted approaches to care.
What this anniversary really represents is the power of a committed global community. Clinicians, researchers, allied health professionals and patient advocates have come together over the past decade to share knowledge, challenge assumptions and drive the field forward. That collective effort has helped move bronchiectasis firmly into the spotlight as a major chronic respiratory disease.
At the same time, it’s a reminder that there is still much more to do. We are now entering an era of precision medicine, better phenotyping, and more personalized treatments – and WBC 2026 is an opportunity to build on the foundations we’ve created and shape the next decade of progress, ultimately improving outcomes for patients worldwide.
How has the conference evolved since it first took place in Hannover in 2016, and what progress in the field stands out most to you? What has been the role of EMBARC in this development?
The conference has evolved significantly since 2016, both in scale and ambition. What began as a relatively focused meeting has grown into a truly global platform, bringing together a broad, multidisciplinary community. Today, WBC reflects the full spectrum of bronchiectasis care and research, from basic science through to clinical practice, physiotherapy, patient engagement and real-world implementation.
One of the most striking developments over this period has been the shift in how we understand the disease. We’ve moved from viewing bronchiectasis as a single condition to recognizing it as a highly heterogeneous disease with different underlying mechanisms.
EMBARC has played a central role in this progress. By creating a robust European registry and encouraging collaboration across countries and centres, EMBARC has helped generate high-quality data at scale that simply wasn’t possible before. It has brought researchers and clinicians together, supported new studies, and provided a foundation for many of the advances we’re now seeing. In many ways, EMBARC has helped to unify the field, and its influence is clearly reflected in how both the science and the conference have evolved over the past decade.
This year’s theme is “Paving the Way for the Next Generation.” How is this integrated into the programme and opportunities for emerging clinicians and researchers?
This year’s theme is deliberately woven into both the structure of the programme and the opportunities available throughout the conference. It’s not just a message; it’s something we’ve tried to make tangible for those at earlier stages of their careers.
We’ve placed a strong emphasis on visibility and participation. Early-career clinicians and researchers will have multiple platforms to present their work, from oral sessions in the main auditorium to abstract and poster discussions where interaction and feedback are actively encouraged. These are designed to be supportive environments where new ideas can be shared, challenged and refined.
Beyond presentations, we’ve also built in moments for meaningful exchange – smaller sessions, meet-the-expert formats, and informal spaces that make it easier to meet with established leaders in the field. The intention is to lower barriers and create genuine dialogue.
Importantly, the programme also highlights future-facing topics like new methodologies, emerging technologies, and evolving models of care, ensuring that those entering the field are equipped not just with current knowledge, but with a sense of where bronchiectasis research and care are heading.
Ultimately, “Paving the Way for the Next Generation” is about creating an environment where emerging talents feel welcomed, supported, and inspired to contribute – and to take an active role in shaping the future of the field.
What key scientific or clinical advances will be highlighted at WBC 2026 that you think attendees should be most excited about? What unique experiences or takeaways can participants expect from this year’s programme?
One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s programme is the breadth and depth of innovation being showcased. We’ll see important advances in how we characterize bronchiectasis, particularly through improved use of biomarkers, imaging and data-driven approaches that allow for more precise and individualized care.
Alongside this, there is growing momentum in therapeutic development, with new and emerging treatments targeting infection, inflammation and underlying disease mechanisms.
Another area to watch is the integration of the patient perspective. The patient voice helps us to better understand disease patterns, the importance of particular outcomes and provides important context for both research and clinical practice.
What makes WBC 2026 particularly valuable, however, is not just the science itself, but how it is shared and discussed. Attendees can expect a highly interactive programme, with opportunities to engage directly with experts, debate new findings, and explore how emerging evidence can be translated into everyday care. There is a strong emphasis on practical takeaways – insights that participants can take back to their own clinics, research groups and healthcare systems.
In addition, the diversity of perspectives remains a key strength. Bringing together clinicians, scientists, allied health professionals and patient voices creates a richer, more rounded understanding of the challenges we face and the solutions we are building.
Ultimately, participants should come away not only with a clear view of where the field is heading, but with renewed energy, new collaborations, and a sense of shared purpose in improving outcomes for people living with bronchiectasis.
Join us in Hannover for the 9th International World Bronchiectasis Conference:
This short article was provided to touchRESPIRATORY by Lena Group. No funding or publication fees were involved in the publication of this article. Image and/or quotes: © 2026. Lena Group.
Felix C. Ringshausen discloses consulting for and receiving honoraria from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingeheim, Chiesi, Insmed, and Parion Sciences; receiving grant/research support from Insmed Germany and Novartis; participating on Speaker’s Bureaus with i!DE Werbeagentur, Insmed, Sanofi, Cliniqo, and med update; and receiving fees for clinical trial participation paid to institution from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Insmed, Parion Sciences, Vertex, and Zambon.
Cite: A decade of progress: The 10-year anniversary of the World Bronchiectasis Conference. touchRESPIRATORY. 7 May 2026.
Editor: Victoria Smith, Senior Content Editor.
