Date: 23-24 September 2026

Location: EDQM building, Strasbourg, France & Online

Working language: English

Pharmaceutical reference standards play a vital role in drug development and production and are essential for the quality control of medicines. This global event will bring together experts from industry, regulatory bodies and academia to discuss the evolving landscape of chemical as well as biological pharmaceutical reference standards.

The programme will cover the use and establishment of reference standards, including reference standards for new and complex biologicals and small molecules, regulatory expectations and harmonisation across the regions.

Key topics will include best practices for the establishment and lifecycle management of pharmaceutical reference standards. While ICH Q6 and other pharmaceutical regulations provide a foundational framework, they offer limited technical details on the subject. The symposium agenda will explore applicable regulations and guidance that apply to pharmaceutical reference standards. In addition, the symposium will highlight recent scientific and technical developments in the field.

The Symposium will provide a unique opportunity to engage directly with the speakers and key stakeholders involved in reference standard development, manufacture, distribution and use. Being onsite will allow you to ask questions, exchange insights and connect with presenters and peers during interactive discussions, fostering meaningful professional interactions and networking.

• Best practices for the establishment and use of small molecule reference standards, including perspectives from the EDQM, USP and industry, and regulatory expectations 
• Good practices for the establishment and use of reference standards for biological therapeutic proteins (including approaches from the field of monoclonal antibodies, with a focus on performance-based standards and potency standards), along with insights from industry case studies and regulatory perspectives 
• New developments and challenges related to pharmaceutical reference standards, including digital standards, reference standards for new modalities, reference standard programme strategies
• Panel discussions on small molecule reference standards and biological reference standards

Download the preliminary programme (subject to change)

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS IS OPEN

The Poster Session offers a great opportunity to communicate ongoing research, new projects and results in a dynamic way to an international audience. Posters can address any topic related to the theme of the symposium and they will be displayed for the entire duration of the event.

Interested in presenting your work? If yes, please complete the Poster Submission Form and send it to the EDQM by 01 June 2026.  Receipt of submission will be acknowledged by email. Submitted posters will be reviewed, and applicants will be informed if their poster is accepted. Applicants must register and attend the symposium onsite.

Applicants will be invited to present and stand by their poster during designated periods. This will give participants the opportunity to engage directly with the presenter, ask questions and discuss the work in more detail. Additionally, applicants will be asked to submit a short, pre-recorded video presentation (approximately 5 minutes) summarising the key points of their poster. This video will be made available to participants.

Please read the following guidelines before you begin to create your poster presentation: Guidelines for Poster Presentations.

This symposium should be of interest to professionals from the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory agencies, medicines control laboratories and academic institutions.

While the symposium will be held in a hybrid format, in-person participation is strongly encouraged to facilitate engagement and networking opportunities.

Onsite registration fees per delegate are:

• Onsite Industry/Private sector: 700 Euros
• Onsite Non-industry/Academia/Public sector:  500 Euros
• Onsite EDQM Expert: 250 Euros

This fee includes all the documentation and lunches, refreshments and a social gathering on 23 September. It does not include accommodation and travel expenses. To track the status of your invoice, please go to: store.edqm.eu

REGISTER HERE FOR ONSITE ATTENDANCE