The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) is delighted to announce its upcoming in-person symposium, Microbiology on the Move, taking place in Strasbourg (France) from 13-15 October 2026.

Continuing its long-standing commitment to advancing microbiological quality standards within the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) and fostering global convergence of microbiology requirements, the EDQM invites you to join fellow regulators, industry representatives and other international stakeholders for this three-day event that will provide a unique platform to identify new opportunities, developments and challenges to ensure the Ph. Eur. remains at the forefront of microbiological quality control. Together, we will share insights and discuss opportunities for aligning practices and the best direction for microbiological quality standards in Europe and beyond.

The programme will feature sessions focussing on scientific and regulatory aspects and addressing key developments in pharmaceutical microbiology, including:

• harmonised microbiology chapters: Sterility (2.6.1) and other general chapters covering the microbiological examination of non-sterile products (2.6.12, 2.6.13 and 5.1.4)
• rapid microbiological methods: a focus on solutions for short-life products (e.g. ATMPs, radiopharmaceuticals) as well as a dedicated training session on the newly revised chapter on Alternative methods for control of microbiological quality (5.1.6)

Each session will conclude with an interactive discussion where participants will be able to benchmark with peers and actively contribute to brainstorming on the opportunities that could shape the future of microbiological quality standards.

More information on the programme and how to register will be published soon.

Stay tuned – we look forward to welcoming you in Strasbourg!