MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference starts on March 16

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is once again hosting its annual gathering, the MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference. The 2025 event will take place on March 16-19 in Dallas at the Hilton Anatole.

The four-day event will bring together scientists, clinicians, affiliated healthcare providers, academicians, advocates, and industry leaders from around the world to explore the latest advances in neuromuscular disease (NMD) research and treatment. Patients, caregivers, and other community members are welcome to attend virtually or in person.

This year’s conference also celebrates the MDA’s 75th year and the “remarkable” advancements in neuromuscular disease research and care, Donald S. Wood, PhD, MDA president and CEO, said in a press release.

“With robust sessions, this year’s conference will showcase the impact, innovation, and momentum of our clinical and scientific community,” he said.

Topics range from gene therapy and treatment access to federal policies

Conference registration is open. While on-site registration is offered, registering in advance is highly recommended by the MDA as the conference is expected to be at capacity.

Community members who are registered with the MDA may attend virtually at no cost and will have access to all presentations. They also can attend in person at a discounted rate.

The registration fee for in-person attendance by patients and caregivers is $399 per person. For all others, rates start at $649. Fees for virtual attendance start at $199.  One-day passes for onsite events are also available. Fees for both in-person and virtual attendance include on-demand access to content for 12 months after the conference ends.

A broad range of topics will be covered on NMDs such as Pompe disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

In addition to updates on gene therapy and clinical trials, speakers will explore such subjects as developing a sustainable multidisciplinary care team model, optimizing nutrition and physical therapy, and the latest in pulmonary and cardiac management.

The keynote address will be presented by Robert Califf, MD, former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and a professor of cardiology at Duke University School of Medicine.

Califf also will participate in a conference panel featuring experts in neuromuscular research and care. The panel will explore topics such as the challenges of gene therapy delivery, access to treatments, and the integration of innovative therapies into clinical practice. Recent changes in federal government policy on research and development will be discussed.

Advocacy groups will meet to plan legislative priorities for year ahead

Mindy Henderson, MDA vice president of disability outreach and empowerment, said current and proposed federal cuts to research would significantly affect the NMD community. She expects them to be a topic of interest at the conference.

“Labs where critical research is happening are closing, and there are hundreds of conditions out there where there still is no treatment,” Henderson, who has spinal muscular atrophy, told Muscular Dystrophy News.

Potential federal cuts to Medicaid she considered particularly “alarming and concerning,” as they could be “devastating” to the patient community. “So advocacy right now is paramount,” Henderson said. “Having people out in our community contacting lawmakers and letting them know they’re not happy about this.”

Nearly 40 advocacy organizations at the conference will participate in a closed Neuromuscular Advocacy Collaborative meeting aimed at aligning advocates on legislative priorities, the MDA stated. Priorities for the year ahead include access to healthcare, treatments, travel, education, and independent living.

“This conference started with a group of people in an office in New York with one doctor studying muscle,” Henderson said. “It’s grown into this unbelievable conference attended by almost 2,000 of the smartest people you can ever meet who are coming together to solve problems. It’s absolutely unmatched.”

Follow the conference on social media through @MDAorg. For more information about the event, send an email to [email protected].