4-5 March 2027, Prague, Czech Republic.

SMA Europe is pleased to announce the 2nd International Clinical Care Symposium on Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), taking place on 4th and 5th March 2027 at the Grandior Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic.

The SMA Europe Clinical Symposium Series was created with a simple goal: to look beyond today’s standards of care and help shape what comes next. By focusing on areas where important questions remain and where new scientific insights and technological advances are creating opportunities to further enhance care, the Symposium Series provides a unique platform to foster collaboration, encourage innovation, and support continuous improvements in patient outcomes. 

Building on the success of the 1^st Clinical Care Symposium, the second edition, titled “Musculoskeletal Care in SMA: from Research to Rehabilitation”, will bring together international and multidisciplinary clinicians (including orthopaedic specialists, surgeons, neurologists, pulmonologists, rehabilitation specialists and physiotherapists), clinical and fundamental researchers, patient advocates, and industry representatives. Together, participants will address challenges affecting the spine, hips, joints and bones, which remain among the most significant and evolving areas of unmet need for people living with SMA.

As the clinical landscape of SMA continues to evolve, many individuals are achieving outcomes that were previously unimaginable. At the same time, these advances are raising new questions and challenges related to musculoskeletal development, mobility, rehabilitation, long-term function, and surgical decision-making. The Symposium will provide a forum to explore factors that influence musculoskeletal health across the lifespan and identify practical approaches to optimise care and outcomes for people living with SMA. 

The scientific and clinical oversight of the Symposium is provided by a Medical Panel chaired by Prof. Dr. Stefania Corti, Neurologist, Full Professor of Neurology, and Principal Investigator of the Neural Stem Cell Lab at the University of Milan.

On the significance of the event, Prof. Dr. Stefania Corti remarks: 

“Disease-modifying therapies have profoundly changed the trajectory of spinal muscular atrophy, yet musculoskeletal challenges remain among the most significant unmet needs for people living with the condition. By bringing together experts from across Europe, this Symposium aims to translate current evidence into shared standards of care while exploring innovative approaches and emerging technologies that can further optimise patient outcomes. The Medical Panel regards this initiative as an essential step toward shaping the future of SMA care”.

Beyond sharing current knowledge, the Symposium aims to bring together experts to collectively advance the field of SMA care. By integrating emerging scientific evidence, clinical experience, innovative approaches, and real-world insights, it will provide a unique opportunity to identify unresolved questions, explore new opportunities, and develop practical solutions that improve outcomes across the SMA community. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the mechanisms and factors that influence musculoskeletal health, translating emerging evidence into meaningful clinical practice, and identifying priorities for future research, innovation and guideline development. The Symposium will also showcase emerging technologies, novel methodologies, and forward-looking approaches that have the potential to transform the assessment, monitoring, and management of musculoskeletal health in SMA.

Although the various domains of musculoskeletal care are closely interconnected, they are often managed in a fragmented manner, resulting in significant variability in clinical practice and persistent uncertainty in decision-making. The Symposium seeks to foster a shared understanding across disciplines, support greater consistency in care, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and best practices among healthcare professionals. Through this collective effort, SMA Europe aims to support both the harmonisation of care across Europe and the continued evolution of the field towards new standards of excellence.

The programme will explore:

• biological and clinical mechanisms that influence musculoskeletal health in SMA; highlighting opportunities for early identification, proactive monitoring, prevention, and timely intervention
• rehabilitation approaches as well as surgical and non-surgical management options; showcasing the evidence that supports informed clinical decision-making and optimised patient outcomes throughout the care journey
• recent developments in the SMA treatment landscape alongside emerging models of care that are helping shape the future of musculoskeletal management in SMA

As Prof. Haberlova, Motol University Hospital, Prague underlines:

“The symposium will provide a unique platform for multidisciplinary discussions on the evolving standards of SMA clinical care. Key sessions will address current challenges in prevention, monitoring, rehabilitation, and both surgical and non-surgical management. Through collaboration and shared expertise, we aim to improve patient outcomes and advance excellence in SMA care worldwide.”

The 2027 Symposium will offer a hybrid participation model, combining an on-site experience with virtual streaming. This approach will extend access to a global audience, enabling participants from around the world to engage with the programme and join the discussions online.

Media Contact:

Emilia Debska, SMA Europe, Communications and Marketing Manager

Emilia.debska@sma-europe.eu / +34 647 638 915

Additional information:

Symposium website: https://www.sma-europe.eu/clinical-care-symposium-prague-2027 (goes live on 30 June 2026)

About living with spinal muscular atrophy: “SMA Europe | Living with SMA | Support and Resources (sma-europe.eu)

SMA Europe social media:

LinkedIn: @SMA Europe

Facebook: @SMAEurope1

BlueSky: @sma-europe.bsky.social

Instagram: @SMAEurope

SMA Europe website: www.sma-europe.eu

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