PACTALS 2027

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, it is our great pleasure to invite you to PACTALS 2027, to be held in Ariake, Tokyo, Japan, from July 3 to 5, 2027.

This meeting marks the second PACTALS congress to be held in Japan, following the 2021 meeting in Nagoya (President: Prof. Gen Sobue). We are honored to once again host this important international forum and to contribute to advancing the field from Japan to the global community.

The theme of this meeting, “Accelerating Global Collaboration and Therapeutic Innovation,” is more than a slogan. ALS drug development is now at a historic turning point, with approximately 50 clinical trials currently underway, making it one of the most active areas within neuromuscular diseases.

However, translating these advances into real benefits for patients requires overcoming regional disparities and fragmentation in research and development. With the Asia–Oceania region representing nearly 60% of the world’s population, its leadership is essential for achieving the next breakthroughs. PACTALS 2027 aims to serve as a catalyst to accelerate this global momentum.

PACTALS provides a unique international platform where not only clinicians and researchers, but also industry, regulatory authorities, and patients and caregivers come together as equal partners to engage in meaningful dialogue and co-creation.

On the first day, we will host Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) sessions as well as dedicated programs for early-career neurologists. On the second and third days, the program will span a wide spectrum—from cutting-edge clinical practices such as nutrition, respiratory care, and communication support to the latest advances in molecular biology and genomics—fostering interdisciplinary exchange and innovation.

We do not view this meeting as merely a venue for sharing knowledge. Rather, we position PACTALS 2027 as a platform to translate discussions, collaborations, and decisions into concrete research initiatives, clinical trials, and policy actions, ultimately driving meaningful progress toward overcoming ALS.

The venue, Ariake in Tokyo, is home to major international convention facilities such as Tokyo Big Sight and offers excellent accessibility from both Haneda Airport and central Tokyo.

As a hub where global expertise and ideas converge and rapidly evolve into action, it provides an ideal setting for an international congress.

With a shared goal of overcoming ALS, we look forward to bringing together the world’s expertise in Tokyo and translating this collective momentum into the next era of therapeutic innovation.

We sincerely look forward to welcoming you to Tokyo in 2027.

Welcome to PACTALS2027 in Tokyo, Japan.

Japanese research teams, together with our colleagues in PACTALS and around the world, have made significant contributions to ALS research, including the development of novel ALS therapies such as edaravone and mecobalamin, the identification of new disease-associated genes, and the establishment of the Awaji diagnostic criteria. We are also currently developing Japan’s Guideline for Clinical Evaluation of Drugs for the Treatment of ALS, which will be finalized by the time of the congress. We look forward to discussing the many challenges and future opportunities in ALS research and care with all of you.

We also hope you will have the opportunity to explore Tokyo and its surrounding areas and enjoy tour stay in Japan.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, it is my great honor to welcome you to PACTALS 2027, to be held in Tokyo in July 3 to 5, 2027.

The Pan-Asian Consortium for Treatment and Research in ALS (PACTALS) has long served as a vital bridge connecting researchers, clinicians, and patient communities across the Asia-Oceania region. This year, as we gather in Japan, we have a unique opportunity to deepen that connection and to showcase the remarkable progress being made throughout our region in understanding and treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

ALS research has entered an extraordinary era. From TDP-43 proteostasis and RNA biology to advances in biomarker development, nucleic acid therapeutics, novel disease models, and multi-omics approaches to neurodegeneration, our field is moving rapidly toward mechanistic insight and, ultimately, therapeutic breakthroughs. Yet no single laboratory or country can meet this challenge alone. The diversity of genetic backgrounds, clinical practices, and research infrastructures across Asia and Oceania represents both a scientific opportunity and a responsibility: to ensure that discoveries benefit patients everywhere, not only in regions with established research networks.

Japan's ALS research community, with its long tradition of clinical and basic science excellence, is honored to host this meeting and to strengthen collaboration with colleagues throughout the Asia-Oceania region. We hope PACTALS 2027 will serve as a catalyst for new partnerships, shared resources, and joint studies that reflect the full richness of our region's scientific talent and patient populations.

Meeting at Tokyo offers a wonderful setting for both scientific exchange and lasting friendships across borders.

We look forward to welcoming you to Tokyo and to an inspiring meeting that advances our shared mission: bringing hope and effective treatments to people living with ALS.

For decades, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been known as a disease without a cure. However, in recent years, the situation has begun to change. Therapeutic development has advanced rapidly around the world, and we are now seeing successful clinical trials that bring genuine hope to patients and their families. Within this progress, the Asia–Oceania region has taken on an increasingly important role, and its contribution is expected to grow even further in the coming years.

Our region is home to a large and diverse population, and the number of people living with ALS is expected to increase significantly in the decades ahead. In this context, the establishment of ALS research consortia across Asia and Oceania has become essential—not only for advancing scientific understanding, but also for ensuring that patients throughout the region can benefit equally from new developments.

PACTALS 2027 will bring together clinicians, researchers, patients, and caregivers from across the region and beyond to share knowledge and build new collaborations. Together, we will explore the latest progress in understanding disease mechanisms, developing new therapies, and improving clinical care.

We warmly invite you to join us in Tokyo. We hope this meeting will inspire new ideas, strengthen partnerships, and help move us closer to a future in which ALS can be effectively treated—and ultimately overcome.

Welcome to PACTALS 2027.

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

On behalf of the Pan-Asian Consortium for Treatment and Research in ALS (PACTALS), it is my distinct privilege to welcome you to PACTALS 2027 in Tokyo, Japan.

An extraordinary gathering like this requires immense dedication. I am deeply grateful to our local hosts, Congress Convenor Professor Osamu Kano, alongside Professors Yuishin Izumi, Koji Yamanaka, and Naoki Atsuta. Their exceptional leadership and vision have been instrumental in ensuring this meeting is a landmark success.

The theme of PACTALS 2027, “Accelerating Global Collaboration and Therapeutic Innovation,” captures the absolute urgency of our collective mission. This year, we aim to actively enhance discussions and collaborations centered around personalised drug discovery in ALS/MND, alongside critical advancements in clinical research and patient care.

Tokyo—a city where ancient tradition seamlessly meets cutting-edge discovery—provides the perfect backdrop for our goals. As our Asia-Pacific ALS/MND network continues to grow, we are making incredible strides in uncovering new insights from our unique patient cohorts.

We look forward to sharing this vital knowledge over the coming days, forging new alliances across borders, and moving ever closer toward a world free of ALS/MND.

Welcome to Tokyo, and welcome to PACTALS 2027.

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 2027 meeting of the Pan-Asian Consortium for Treatment and Research in ALS (PACTALS), to be held from 3 to 5 July 2027 at the TFT Building in Ariake, Tokyo.

PACTALS brings together clinicians, researchers, allied health professionals, people living with ALS, advocates and industry partners who share a commitment to improving the understanding, treatment and care of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and related motor neuron diseases. The Congress provides an important forum for presenting new discoveries, exchanging ideas and establishing collaborations across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

The field of ALS is advancing rapidly. Developments in genetics, biomarkers, neurophysiology, disease modelling and therapeutic development are creating new opportunities for earlier diagnosis, more informative clinical trials and increasingly personalised treatment. At the same time, major challenges remain. Continued international collaboration will be essential if we are to translate scientific progress into meaningful improvements in survival, function and quality of life for people living with ALS.

PACTALS 2027 will offer an opportunity to hear the latest scientific and clinical advances, discuss unresolved questions and strengthen the regional networks that underpin successful research and high-quality multidisciplinary care. We particularly welcome the participation of early-career investigators and clinicians, whose ideas and leadership will shape the future of the field.

Tokyo provides an inspiring setting for the Congress, combining a remarkable scientific and technological environment with a rich cultural heritage. I hope that all participants will enjoy both the scientific program and the opportunity to renew friendships and develop new collaborations.

I warmly invite you to join us in Tokyo for PACTALS 2027. I look forward to welcoming you personally and to a stimulating, productive and memorable Congress.