Prof. Dr. Karl J. Lackner

Congress President

Dear colleagues, dear friends,

On behalf of the German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL), I am pleased to welcome you to EUROMEDLAB 2021 in the International Congress Center of Munich. As we are all aware, the Corona pandemic has forced us to postpone the congress twice for almost a year. Currently, we expect that herd immunity to SARS-CoV 2 will be achieved with the successful vaccination programs in Europe and worldwide and the high infection rates of the milder Omikron variant. When we had to postpone the congress the second time in the fall of 2021, this development was not yet foreseeable. But by now we feel that it is justifiable to offer again a traditional congress in compliance with appropriate measures to avoid infection.

With this format, we therefore hope to build on the so successful EUROMEDLAB congresses of the past and enable the very much missed direct scientific exchange and discussion. For those participants who cannot travel to Munich for a variety of reasons, an appropriate digital offering is planned, but in our opinion this can never fully replace the direct experience of a congress.

The organizing committee and the scientific program committee have worked continuously during the pandemic and, in my opinion, have once again put together a wide-ranging, extraordinary scientific program. Special thanks to all the speakers who were able to make the new dates possible despite being postponed twice. The congress program with plenary lectures, symposia including 4 DGKL-symposia, viewpoint sessions, educational workshops, and poster sessions will be complemented by a large exhibition showcasing the latest developments in the diagnostic industry. We are particularly grateful that there was consensus between the organizing committee and the industrial partners to organize an exhibition in the traditional format in compliance with local regulations supplemented by innovative virtual offerings.

I am sure that after a tremendously difficult time this congress in the hospitable city of Munich will provide the forum for fruitful scientific and personal exchange among the participants from all over Europe and the World as we know it from previous EUROMEDLAB congresses.

With my very best regards,

Professor Karl Lackner
Congress President

Prof. Dr. Michael Neumaier

Chair of Organizing Committee

Dear colleagues and friends,

we are glad to be able to welcome you to the EUROMEDLAB 2021 – the XXIV IFCC-EFLM European Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine in Munich, Germany as a joint conference by EFLM, IFCC and the national hosting German Society for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL) (www.euromedlab2021munich.org).

Like with most our private and professional lives during the last two years, the SARS-CoV2 pandemic has also played havoc with all our preparations and efforts to provide you with an in-presence format of this important European congress. You will vividly remember that we had to cancel the start EUROMEDLAB on November 28th 2021 due to a likely shut-down announced for our conference region in Bavaria. Together with a logistically difficult, yet mandatory daily testing regimen for every participant, it would have been impossible to provide the registered participants in Munich with an orderly conference visit and experience. Since then, vaccination programs have further advanced, and vaccines prove their efficiency to protect against serious Covid manifestations every day. As we enter into what is called the endemic stage of SARS-CoV2, restrictions are now increasingly being lifted by health authorities here and abroad as a consequence.

As your organizers, we have been closely and constantly monitoring the situation since and encourage you to attend the EUROMEDLAB and join us in Munich. You will witness an innovative scientific and educational program around the congress and can enjoy the vibrant city of Munich with opportunities for social interactions and networking with colleagues from Europe and beyond. As you can expect from a leading forum for our profession, a broad range of international speakers, key opinion leaders and stakeholders will bring front-edge topics in health care, diagnostic technologies, scientific advances and professional matters to life. Also, you can expect a lively industry exhibition floor featuring the latest products and developments in diagnostic technologies brought to you by the leading manufacturers that look forward to your visit.

We encourage you to visit the EUROMEDLAB website for more information on the program and early registration (www.euromedlab2021munich.org/registrations/). Undoubtedly, your presence will add to the success of this EUROMEDLAB and we are looking forward to seeing you in Munich and thank you for your continued support and endurance.

With best regards

Prof. Dr. Michael Neumaier
Chair of Organizing committee

Prof. Dr. Khosrow Adeli

IFCC President (2020-2023)

It is my great pleasure to welcome all attendees of the XXIV IFCC-EFLM European Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EuroMedLab Congress 2022), jointly hosted by IFCC, EFLM, and the German Society. This is the first major IFCC/EFLM conference held following a long delay caused by the pandemic and an excellent opportunity to bring together laboratory specialists from many national societies both physically and virtually. While this delay was a disappointment for many, we now get to enjoy springtime in Europe with a beautiful backdrop, the city of Munich!

This is a fast-evolving time for the field of clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine, as we face many scientific and technological advancements that allow for a much greater role for our professionals as partners at the centre of healthcare. This timely congress is an excellent opportunity to gather in an international forum to discuss these advancements as well as meet colleagues from across Europe and many other countries around the globe. Without a doubt, the biannual EuroMedLab Congress has proven to be one of the leading forums to bring together scientists, laboratory specialists, clinicians, and industry colleagues in the field of clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine. Bringing all of us together in forums like this enables scientific exchange and ensures that our organization and the field of clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine remain at the cutting edge.

During the congress, attendees will get to experience the outstanding scientific program, which features innovative and diverse educational opportunities that incorporate the best of clinical laboratory medicine and in vitro diagnostics, including lectures, symposia, recent advancements in clinical practice and science, poster presentations, and much more. Special emphasis will be placed on technological advancements, as this meeting aims to connect the latest technological breakthroughs in diagnostic laboratory technology with the best minds in laboratory medicine to help attendees learn and implement the latest and greatest in clinical laboratory science, technology, and medicine. In addition to the scientific program, excellent social opportunities have been organized for attendees to enjoy many attractions in Munich.

I hope you all enjoy the excellent scientific and social programs curated by the congress organizing and scientific committees, and I wish you all a productive conference and a pleasant stay in the wonderful city of Munich.

Khosrow Adeli PhD, FCACB, DABCC, FAACC
IFCC President-Elect (2020-2023)

Prof. Ana-Maria Šimundić

EFLM President (2020-2021)

Prof. Tomris Ozben

EFLM President (2022-2023)

Dear Colleagues, Dear Friends,

It is our great pleasure and honor to welcome you on behalf of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM), to the 24th EuroMedLab, the IFCC-EFLM European Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine organized together by IFCC and EFLM in collaboration with the German Society of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (DGKL).

It is sad and regrettable that this congress comes in such unusual times, when the whole world is fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also unfortunate that it has been postponed two times. Many of our colleagues are therefore not able to attend the congress due to travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To those who are fortunate enough to attend the congress in person, on site, we wish an enjoyable experience, good and inspirational congress. We hope you will benefit the scientific program, educational workshops, and exhibition of the IVD industry demonstrating the latest technological advancements and breakthroughs in diagnostic laboratory technology, to help participants to learn and implement the latest and greatest innovations in clinical laboratory science, enjoying also networking and meeting old colleagues and friends and possibly even making some new friends.

To those who will participate in the congress remotely, from a distance, we hope that this conference will also offer plenty of opportunities to further expand their knowledge and grow. Virtual participation is far from ideal, but given the circumstances and current challenges, this can be acceptable. We trust you will take the most of it. Our sincere wish is that the World is never again faced with what we have experienced during the past two years and that we will get back to our “old normal” soon and certainly before the next EuroMedLab.

Your sincerely,

Prof. Ana-Maria Šimundić                        Prof. Tomris Ozben
EFLM President (2020-2021)                  EFLM President (2022-2023)