A Look at the Tracks at MDA's Upcoming Clinical & Scientific Conference

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) focuses on delivering high quality clinical care to people living with neuromuscular disorders while also supporting research aimed at developing new treatments. Annually, the organization hosts its Clinical and Scientific Conference, a meeting designed to connect clinicians, researchers, patient advocates, biotech company representatives, and other stakeholders to share and discuss the newest advances in the field.

Ahead of the 2026 conference, scheduled for March 8 to 11 in Orlando, Florida, NeurologyLive®’s sister site, CGTLive®, spoke with Barry J. Byrne, MD, PhD, MDA’s chief medical advisor and a physician-scientist at the University of Florida. Byrne outlined several featured tracks for this year’s event, including sessions tailored to neurologists and neuromuscular experts, dedicated programming for ALS care, and discussions centered on drug development. He also shared the aspects of the meeting that he is most eager to see unfold.

CGTLive: Can you give a brief introduction to the MDA Clinical and Scientific Conference for those who are not aware?

Barry J Byrne, MD, PhD: The annual MDA Clinical and Scientific Conference will be held again in Orlando this year, from March 8th through the 11th and we're really excited about the tracks that have been developed for this year's meeting, which really will be important for every provider across the neuromuscular care spectrum, to connect with their colleagues and learn about the best cutting edge therapies in neuromuscular disease.

What are the track sessions at the MDA conference this year, and what should attendees know about them?

Of course, one of the principal audiences at the care conference is for neurologists and neuromuscular providers. There is also a care track for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as well as one for allied health professionals, and then considerations of drug development and mechanisms of disease and therapeutic strategy development. So I really think that this is where both the basic science and foundational science communities meet together with their clinical colleagues and brainstorm on ideas about what the next therapeutic strategy should be and the host of neuromuscular disorders that are covered by the MDA umbrella.

Is there anything else about the track sessions you want to share?

One of the highlights of the conference, I think, will be at the opening session where John Crowley, JD, MBA, who is the CEO of Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and a parent of 2 children with a neuromuscular disorder, Pompe disease, will give his perspective on the development of drugs for neuromuscular disorders and the the value of partnering with MDA in the care of that patient community. I'm really excited to hear John's comments. He's been very instrumental in engaging with the FDA on developing new therapies and developing pathways that will accelerate access to these transformative therapies for patients that we all care for.

What are you personally most looking forward to at the conference this year?

I will say that on the last day is when there's always a lot of excitement at the conference to hear the latest clinical trial results from studies that have been ongoing. Many sponsors hold that information until the MDA meeting to release those really exciting outcomes of clinical trials, and that helps us know what's next in our toolkit for caring for patients with neuromuscular disorders. So I'm always excited about the clinical trial sessions on the last day.

Is there anything else you want to add?

There will be some tracks on cell and gene therapy throughout the meeting. Certainly, we've faced a number of safety events that have come to light in these past 6 months. Strategies for mitigating risk and therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes I think will be part of what people will come away with from those sessions. To improve safety, obviously, is critical.

Then we'll also hear from sponsors that have some exciting new, next generation therapies that are already in the clinic, and where we expect to have readouts announced at the meeting.

This transcript has been edited for clarity.

Click here to register for the upcoming 2026 MDA Conference.