Repair and regeneration of articular cartilage and intervertebral disc remain major clinical challenges, despite their well-defined structure. Despite their notorious limited repair capacity, recent developments are showing real promise in preclinical and clinical applications. Targeting of senescent cells, use of iPS cells, artificial intelligence and the key role of tissue crosstalk are just some examples of recent developments that are leading to new tools for the precise management of cartilaginous tissue diseases. The theme of this year's conference is to highlight the progress being made to renew optimism that novel clinical approaches are closer to reality than ever before.

This conference aims to address these topics while exploring issues such as cell-mediated repair, drug and gene delivery as well as emerging clinical approaches. The outcome should be an increased understanding of the topic and an emphasis on the need to improve the interaction between scientists and clinicians.

eCM meetings always aim to be the place where scientists and clinicians meet and exchange the challenges they face. Translation to the clinics will always rely on active interaction between the practitioners that treat patients, and preclinical scientists who can develop proof-of-concept. The afternoons are free for excursions into the mountains or networking opportunities.

This international forum continues the eCM congress series held in Davos. The limited number of participants (150) ensures that clinicians, biologists, engineers and material scientists will have ample opportunities for knowledge sharing in basic, translational and clinical research, in addition to highlighting developments in the field of cartilaginous tissue repair and regeneration. As the conference does not have parallel sessions to allow in-depth multidisciplinary discussions about how to advance this research area.

Local Conference Organisers

PD Dr. Sibylle Grad
Scientific Editor eCM Journal
Focus Area Leader Disc and Cartilage Biology, AO Research Institute, Davos, CH

Prof. Zhen Li
International Editorial Board eCM Journal
Senior Research Scientist, AO Research Institute, Davos, CH

Prof. Martin Stoddart
Scientific Editor eCM Journal
Program Leader, Regenerative Orthopaedics, AO Research Institute, Davos, CH

Prof. Mauro Alini
Scientific Editor eCM Journal
Vice Director, AO Research Institute, Davos, CH

Presentation and Poster Abstracts