10:00 – 12:00: Pre-congress visits to biobanks of the Swiss network and selected EPFL facilities.

13:30 – 18:00: Pre-congress workshops

9:00 – 10:45: Opening ceremony

10:45 – 11:30: Coffee break, exhibition and posters

11:30 – 12:30: Plenary keynote 1

12:30 – 12:45: Group picture

12:45 – 14:00: Lunch, exhibition and posters

12:45 – 13:45: Corporate workshops

13:00 – 14:00: Vendor tours

14:00 – 15:30: Parallel session one

3A: Quality by design: Building quality into the biospecimen lifecycle

Quality should be built into every stage of the biospecimen lifecycle rather than assessed only at the end. This session explores risk-based quality approaches, process design, validation, certification, accreditation and evidence-based practices that support reliable biobanking. It will examine how certification and accreditation can translate into improved biospecimen quality, increased researcher confidence, greater interoperability, as well as how biobanks demonstrate and maintain competence and extend their scope to emerging technologies. EQA, proficiency testing and interlaboratory comparisons will also be addressed as tools for continuous improvement, harmonisation and demonstrating competence.

3B: Crossing borders: International data sharing in the EHDS era

As the European Health Data Space reshapes health data governance, how can biobanks enable responsible international data sharing? This session explores practical approaches—from individual biobanks to National Nodes and EOSC—to navigating regulations, GDPR requirements, cross-border collaboration, and trusted research infrastructures.

3C: From genome to ecosystem: Biobanking for life

Biobanking increasingly connects clinical, veterinary, and biodiversity research. This session explores how shared quality standards and interoperable data practices can bridge these fields — enabling reliable, FAIR-compliant samples and datasets that serve human health, animal welfare, and ecosystem conservation alike.

3D: Education, training and capacity building: Future-proof by design

This session explores how education, training and capacity building can make biobanking future-proof. It addresses the skills and competencies needed for emerging technologies, quality, ethics, data, stakeholder engagement and sustainable biobanking, while highlighting lifelong learning, mentoring, knowledge transfer and capacity building across institutions, sectors and countries. The session asks how biobanks can invest in people today to remain resilient, innovative and impactful tomorrow.

15:30 – 16:00: Coffee break, exhibition and posters

16:00 – 17:00: Poster session 1

16:30 – 17:00: Networking

17:00 – 18:30: Parallel session two

5A: Reproducibility starts with the biospecimen: From preanalytics to reliable research

Reproducible science begins long before the analytical assay – it begins with the biospecimen. This session will showcase new evidence and methods for understanding and controlling preanalytical variability, as well as practical approaches that can be implemented in biobanks to improve biospecimen quality and research reproducibility. The session also welcomes innovative biobank operations, programmes and workflow solutions that strengthen standardisation, traceability and consistency from sample collection to downstream analysis. By connecting advances in preanalytics with real-world biobanking practice, the session presents how biobanks can actively contribute to more reliable data and reproducible biomedical research.

5B: From biobank to digital biobank: Building the next generation of research infrastructures

Digital biobanks are transforming how biospecimens and data are collected, managed, and accessed. This session explores emerging digital infrastructures, cloud-based platforms, automation, and governance models that improve scalability, data integration, and researcher access while supporting secure and sustainable biobank operations.

5C: One disease, one bank: The power of targeted biobanking

This session explores the unique challenges and value of disease-specific biobanks, from rare disease cohorts to infectious disease outbreak response. Speakers address sample scarcity, rapid data sharing, and international collaboration needed to advance research and improve patient outcomes in these specialised fields.

5D: Academia x industry: Sustainable and resilient biobanking through partnerships

This session explores how academic biobanks and industry can work together to create long-term value for research, healthcare and innovation. It addresses opportunities and challenges in public–private partnerships, including access to high-quality biospecimens and data, standardised processes, quality and regulatory requirements, governance, intellectual property, contracting and sustainable funding models. The session will showcase successful collaboration models and discuss how clear expectations, transparent frameworks and shared standards can build trust and facilitate efficient cooperation. Particular attention will be given to how partnerships can move beyond individual projects towards sustainable, scalable collaborations that strengthen biobanking infrastructures and accelerate translation from research to application.

18:30 – 20:30: Welcome reception at the SwissTech Convention Center

8:00 – 9:00: ESBB General Assembly

9:00 – 10:30: Parallel session three

6A: Measuring what matters: Quality indicators and fitness for purpose

How do we know whether a biospecimen is truly suitable for its intended downstream use? This session explores the shift from process-based quality assurance towards measurable, evidence-based assessment of biospecimen fitness for purpose. Topics include molecular and functional quality indicators, DNA/RNA integrity, haemolysis, proteomic and metabolomic signatures, cellular viability and function, acceptance criteria and quality thresholds, assay-specific quality control, and retrospective qualification of stored samples. The session will highlight approaches that help translate measurable biospecimen characteristics into confidence in their suitability for specific research and analytical applications.

6B: FAIR biobanking in practice: Maximising the value of biobank data

Moving from principles to implementation, this session showcases practical strategies for making biobank data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable, including through EOSC. Learn from real examples, common challenges, and solutions that improve data usability and maximise the long-term value of biobank collections.

6C: Personalised medicine and public health, powered by biobanks

Biobanks are essential infrastructure for personalised medicine and public health, enabling large-scale genomic and clinical data integration. This session explores how quality samples and interoperable data support tailored diagnostics and treatment strategies and public health across Europe.

6D: From Idea to Impact: Scaling Innovation in Biobanking

This session invites all innovators from biobanks, start-ups, SMEs and emerging technology companies to present their new innovative solutions for biobanking and biomedical research. It will highlight innovations in areas such as automation, digitalisation, AI, data integration, sample processing and quality management, as well as new approaches to accessing, analysing and sharing biospecimens and associated data. The session will also explore how biobanks can create an environment that enables innovation, from identifying unmet needs and testing new technologies to piloting and scaling solutions within established infrastructures. By bringing together biobanks, start-ups and innovators, the session will show how agile partnerships can accelerate innovation while creating sustainable value for biobanks, research and healthcare.

10:30 – 11:15: Coffee break, exhibition and posters

11:15 – 12:15: Plenary keynote 2

12:15 – 13:45: Lunch, exhibition and posters

12:15 – 13:15: Corporate workshops

12:45 – 13:45: Vendor tours

13:45 – 15:15: Parallel session four

8A: Beyond the conventional sample: Advanced biospecimens and new models

As biomedical research evolves, biobanks are expanding beyond conventional blood, tissue and nucleic acid collections towards increasingly diverse and complex biospecimens and biological models. This session explores emerging approaches including liquid biopsies, circulating nucleic acids, extracellular vesicles, microbiome samples, single cells, organoids, living biobanks, stem cells, 3D models and other novel specimen types. Particular attention will be given to the practical challenges these materials bring to biobanking – from collection, processing and preservation to quality assessment, characterisation, storage and distribution. The session will showcase new methods, technologies and biobanking models that enable advanced biospecimens to be reliably integrated into research infrastructures and support emerging biomedical and translational applications.

8B: Interoperability: Making biobanks speak the same language

Interoperability is essential for collaborative research at scale. This session examines standards, ontologies, and technical approaches that enable biobanks to exchange and integrate data effectively, highlighting successful initiatives and lessons learned from connecting diverse biobank infrastructures.

8C: From biobank to bedside: Accelerating drug repurposing

This session explores how clinical biobanks support drug repurposing by linking patient samples, multi-omics data, and real-world evidence. Speakers discuss REPO4EU’s approach to identifying new therapeutic uses for existing drugs, and the biobanking infrastructure needed to enable this research.

8D: Stakeholder engagement and patient involvement across the biobank lifecycle

This session explores how patients, researchers, healthcare professionals, industry, policymakers and other stakeholders can be meaningfully engaged throughout the biobank lifecycle – from the design and establishment of a biobank to sample collection, data use, research, return of results and long-term governance. It will highlight approaches to patient and public involvement, co-creation and stakeholder dialogue, as well as strategies for building trust, transparency and shared ownership. The session will showcase practical examples of successful engagement and discuss how stakeholder perspectives can improve the relevance, acceptance and impact of biobanking.

15:15 – 15:45: Coffee break, exhibition and posters

15:45 – 16:45: Poster session 2

16:15 – 16:45: Networking

16:45 – 17:45: Parallel session five

10A: The future of biopreservation: Cryopreservation, stability and sample integrity

Preserving the biological integrity and long-term value of biospecimens remains a fundamental challenge for biobanks. This session explores advances in cryobiology and biopreservation, including innovative preservation technologies, cryoprotective strategies, freezing and thawing approaches, and the preservation of viable cells, tissues and complex biological models. It will address long-term stability, storage conditions and the impact of storage and freeze–thaw events on sample quality and functionality. The session will also consider the challenges of legacy collections and approaches to assessing, qualifying and maximising the scientific value of samples stored over extended periods. New technologies and alternative preservation strategies that could shape the future of biobanking are particularly encouraged.

10B: Beyond the sample: How AI enriches biobank data

Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming biobank data beyond traditional collection and storage. Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, explore opportunities, limitations, and practical applications for enriching datasets, improving research readiness, and generating new insights from existing biobank resources.

10C: A lifetime of data: Longitudinal cohorts in biobanking

This session explores how longitudinal and population cohorts, including the INTEGRATE Large Medical Cohorts, generate long-term health insights through repeated sampling and follow-up data. Speakers discuss cohort design, sustained participant engagement, and data linkage strategies that enable robust research into disease progression, ageing, and population health trends.

10D: Success stories and knowledge transfer: Real impact begins with samples and data

This session showcases success stories demonstrating how biospecimens and associated data have contributed to scientific breakthroughs, new diagnostics and therapies, clinical applications, public health and innovation. Beyond individual success stories, it explores how knowledge and results can be transferred from biobanks into research, healthcare, industry and society. The session will highlight the conditions that enable successful translation, including collaboration, accessibility, high-quality samples and data, sustainable infrastructures and effective knowledge transfer. It will also ask how biobanks can better demonstrate and communicate their scientific, clinical and societal impact.

19:00 – 24:00: Networking evening at the Olympic Museum, overlooking Lake Geneva (Not included in the congress registration – For more information on how to book a ticket, please see here.)

9:00 – 10:30: Ethics Café

10:30 – 12:00: Brunch, exhibition and posters

12:00 – 13:30: Parallel session six

12A: Smart biobanking: Automation and innovation

Automation and new technologies are transforming how biospecimens are collected, processed, preserved, stored and managed. This session explores innovative solutions across the biobanking workflow, including robotics, automated sample processing and aliquoting, high-throughput and automated storage and retrieval systems, smart monitoring, and advanced sample tracking and identification technologies. It will also present novel preservation approaches, intelligent laboratory infrastructure and integrated workflow solutions that can improve efficiency, traceability, consistency and biospecimen quality. The session welcomes practical examples and new technologies that demonstrate how innovation can help biobanks become more efficient, reliable, scalable and ready for the growing needs of biomedical research.

12B: Federated analyses: Research across biobanks without moving data

How can researchers analyse data held across countries and institutions while respecting local governance? This session explores practical approaches to federated analyses, where data remain with their custodians and research questions are addressed across connected biobanks. Speakers will share examples, technical and governance challenges, and lessons for building trustworthy collaborations at scale.

12C: From sample to biomarker: Biobanking in cancer research

This session highlights the role of biobanks in oncology, from tumour and liquid biopsy collection to biomarker discovery and validation. Speakers address quality standards, sample traceability, and data integration that enable precision oncology research and support ISOBM’s mission in cancer biomarker science.

12D: ELSI in biobanking: From principles to practice

This session moves beyond principles and explores how ELSI can be translated into practical approaches across the biobank lifecycle. Topics include informed and broad consent, data protection and privacy, governance and access, return of results, secondary use of samples and data, benefit sharing, equity and inclusion, and emerging challenges related to digitalisation and AI. The session will bring together practical experiences and different stakeholder perspectives to discuss how ELSI frameworks can support responsible innovation while maintaining trust and enabling valuable research. The focus will be on solutions that can be implemented in everyday biobank practice rather than ELSI as a purely theoretical or regulatory exercise.

13:30 – 14:00: Awards and closing ceremony