The event will feature a dynamic program of keynote and plenary presentations, interactive symposia, and discussions, providing in-depth insights into the latest breakthroughs in the field.
Attendees will gain valuable knowledge about the potential of bioartificial organs to improve patient care, as well as their ethical and societal implications.
By offering a platform for diverse perspectives, ESAO 2026 will inspire thought-provoking conversations that push the boundaries of what is possible in medicine.
17.30 - 18.15
OPENING CEREMONY
Kings' Hall
Welcome Messages
AWARDS SESSION
Prof. Dr. Dimitrios Stamatialis - ESAO President
Dr. Tom Verbelen - ESAO President Elect
18.15 - 18.45
PLENARY LECTURE - "Building global innovation ecosystems for the next generation of artificial organs"
Prof. Shaun Gregory
Director of the QUT Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Co-Director of the Artificial Heart Frontiers Program, Founder and Director of the Heart Hackathon student team competition
18.45 - 22.00
WELCOME RECEPTION
Palace of Culture - Central Hallway
08.00 - 08.30
MORNING COFFEE
08.30 - 09.15
PLENARY LECTURE - "The Autonomic Brain-Heart Interaction"
Prof. Max Hilz
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA, and University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
09.30 - 11.00
PARALLEL SESSIONS - click on the session's name to read more about the presentations!
1A - Hemocompatibility and pump design
Oral session | Kings' Hall
1B - Innovations in Hemodialysis
Oral session | Henri Coanda Hall
1C -Lung Support Technologies
Oral session | Stefan Procopiu Hall
11.00 - 11.30
COFFEE BREAK
11.30 - 13.00
PARALLEL SESSIONS - click on the session's name to read more about the presentations!
2A - Pediatric and Partial Heart Support
Symposium | Kings' Hall
2B - Aspects of uremic toxicity
Symposium | Henri Coanda Hall
2C - Advanced Surface Coatings, Patches, and Tissue Interfaces
Oral session | Stefan Procopiu Hall
13.00 - 14.00
LUNCH BREAK
14.00 - 15.30
PARALLEL SESSIONS - click on the session's name to read more about the presentations!
3A- Macro-Hemodynamics & Closed-Loop Cardiovascular Systems
Oral session | Kings' Hall
3B - In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation Platforms for Artificial Organs
Oral session | Henri Coanda Hall
3C - Multi-Organ Crosstalk and Systemic Pathophysiology
Oral session | Stefan Procopiu Hall
15.30 - 16.15
POSTER BREAK
16.15 - 17.45
PARALLEL SESSIONS - click on the session's name to read more about the presentations!
4A - Portable and Implantable Artificial Kidney Technologies
Oral session | Kings' Hall
4B - Scaffolds, Structures & Regenerative Constructs
Oral session | Henri Coanda Hall
4C - Awardees Presentation
Oral session | Stefan Procopiu Hall
18.00 - 19.00
ESAO GENERAL ASSEMBLY
19.00 - 23.00
NETWORKING EVENING
08.00 - 08.30
MORNING COFFEE
08.30 - 09.15
PLENARY LECTURE - "Europe's Competitiveness in the Context of the New World Order"
Prof. Dr. Heinrich Schima
Medical University of Vienna
Followed by panel discussion with perspectives from all over the globe
09.30 - 11.00
PARALLEL SESSIONS - click on the session's name to read more about the presentations!
5A - ECMO Technologies
Oral session | King's Hall
5B - as in Albumin, as in Artificial Organs
Symposium | Henri Coanda Hall
5C - In Silico Organ Models and Digital Twins
Oral session | Stefan Procopiu Hall
11.00 - 11.30
COFFEE BREAK
11.30 - 13.00
PARALLEL SESSIONS - click on the session's name to read more about the presentations!
6A - Recent progress in whole heart replacement and support
Symposium | Kings' Hall
6B - Advances in Portable, Wearable, and Implantable Artificial Kidneys
Symposium | Henri Coanda Hall
6C - Advanced Polymers and Membrane Technologies
Oral session | Stefan Procopiu Hall
13.00 - 14.00
LUNCH BREAK
14.00 - 15.30
PARALLEL SESSIONS - click on the session's name to read more about the presentations!
7A - Preclinical investigation of MCS strategies
Oral session | Kings' Hall
7B - Targeted Delivery, Cell Therapy & Systems Biology
Oral session | Henri Coanda Hall
7C - Lung supoort methods and challenges
Oral session | Stefan Procopiu Hall
15.30 - 16.15
POSTER BREAK
16.15 - 17.45
PARALLEL SESSIONS - click on the session's name to read more about the presentations!
8A - IFAO SYMPOSIUM
Symposium | Kings' Hall
8B - Advanced Therapies in Nephrology
Oral session | Henri Coanda Hall
8C - Micro-Hemodynamics, Flow Visualization & Thrombosis
Oral session | Stefan Procopiu Hall
19.00 - 02.00
GALA DINNER
LOCATION: CONGRESS HALL - INSIDE THE PALAS MALL
CLICK HERE FOR THE LOCATION
Please note that to reach the Congress Hall, you have to go through the main entrance of the Palas Mall, which is located right next to the Palace of Culture. Once inside the mall, please use the lift located next to the H&M store and go up to the 2nd floor.
08.00 - 08.30
MORNING COFFEE
08.30 -10.00
PLENARY LECTURE - CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE
Grigore Tinica, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, Iași
Voica Cristian, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila Bucharest
Tom Verbelen, KU Leuven, Belgium
Adrian Covic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, Iași
10.30 - 12.00
PANEL DISCUSSION - FROM BENCH TO BEDISDE AND BACK AGAIN
Grigore Tinica, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, Iași
Adrian Covic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, Iași
Daniel Medart, Berlin Heart, Germany
Chris Slade, BiVACOR, USA
Steve Ash, HemoCleanse Technologies, USA
12.00 - 12.30
CLOSING CEREMONY
12.30 - 13.30
FAREWELL COCKTAIL
The congress program features a variety of session formats, each designed to offer a different perspective and level of engagement. Below is a brief overview of what each session type involves:
A featured session delivered by an invited expert, covering broad and foundational topics in the field of artificial organs - designed to be accessible and relevant to all attendees, regardless of their specific area of interest
A session composed of presentations delivered by abstract submitters, grouped together by topic or subject area.
A focused session featuring invited speakers - including leading experts and industry representatives - dedicated to a specific organ or topic within the field of artificial organs.
An extended break during which poster presenters showcase their work to fellow attendees and judges, offering an opportunity for direct engagement and discussion.
09.30 - 10.00
WELCOME COFFEE
10.00 - 10.30
OPENING WORDS
10.30 - 11.30
3-MINUTE THESIS
11.30 - 12.30
LUNCH BREAK
12.30 - 14.00
NETWORKING AND CONNECT
14.00 - 15.00
KEYNOTE LECTURE
Adrian Wisniewski
Berlin Heart
15.00 - 15.30
COFFEE BREAK
15.30 - 17.30
PARALLEL WORKSHOPS
17.30 - 18.00
CLOSING WORDS
19.30 - 22.00
yESAO DINNER
10.00 - 10.30
WELCOME COFFEE
10.30 - 12.30
PARALLEL WORKSHOPS
12.30 - 13.30
LUNCH BREAK
13.30 - 14.30
KEYNOTE LECTURE
Sara Leal Marin
Leibniz Universität Hannover
14.30 - 15.00
COFFEE BREAK
15.00 - 16.30
WORKSHOP
16.30 - 17.00
CLOSING WORDS AND BEGINNIG OF THE ESAO CONGRESS
52nd Annual Congress of the European Society for Artificial Organs
Iași, Romania •
September 9-12, 2026
