Lupus Research Alliance and SLEuro Collaborate to Fuel Global Momentum in Lupus

At the 15th European Lupus Meeting, the Lupus Research Alliance Will Present Programmatic Updates, Convene a Scientific Session, and join SLEuro in Announcing SLEuro Mentorship Program Recipients

February 23, 2026 —

Momentum in lupus research is building around the world – and strong collaborations are making it possible.

That’s why the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) is proud to participate in the 15th European Lupus Meeting to present updates on key LRA-led initiatives, highlight research funded by the LRA, and partner with The European Lupus Society (SLEuro) to cultivate the field’s next generation of talent.

SLEuro is a European-based association focused on building up a community of clinicians and researchers committed to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with special focus on engaging younger physicians, promoting and coordinating the organization of research and educational meetings on SLE and related syndromes, promoting equal access to best standard of care for patients across Europe, and facilitating research projects and clinical trials.

SLEuro’s priority to advance lupus research for a global patient population is shared by the LRA.

“Lupus is a highly heterogeneous and complex disease to understand, diagnose, and treat, which means progress requires collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and geographies,” said Teodora Staeva, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of the Lupus Research Alliance. “As global leaders, the Lupus Research Alliance and SLEuro are working together to further our understanding of this disease and ensure promising ideas and emerging talent have the support needed to succeed.”

Coming Together on a Global Stage

As part of this collaboration, the Lupus Research Alliance is sponsoring the SLEuro’s 15th European Lupus Meeting, which brings together leading European and international experts, clinicians, patients, researchers, and other stakeholders.

The meeting, which takes place in Lisbon from March 4-7, 2026, will feature the latest advancements in basic and clinical research, best practices, and innovative therapies for systemic lupus erythematosus and its related conditions.

As part of the program, the Lupus Research Alliance is hosting a session titled “Insights into Lupus Heterogeneity and Microbiome Interplay” on Friday, March 6 from 12:00 – 13:00 CET in Auditorium III+IV. The discussion will be chaired by LRA Research Committee of the Board of Directors member David Isenberg, MD, King’s College London, and features presentations by LRA-funded researchers Virginia Pascual, MD, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Martin Kriegel, MD, PhD, Munster University, Germany.

Additional presentations onsite from LRA leaders include:

Maya Bader, PhD, Director of Scientific Research, abstract presentation:

Addressing Key Unmet Biomarker Needs in Lupus: A Roadmap for the Lupus Research Alliance
Date and Time: Friday, March 6 from 13:55 to 14:00 CET
Room: 1.07
Session Title and Time: Outcome Measures from 13:45 – 14:30 CET

Hoang Nguyen, PhD, Assistant Vice President of Research, poster presentation:

Lupus ABC: Accelerating lupus drug development through a new collaborative approach
Date and Time: On display from Friday, March 6 at 7:30 CET – Saturday, March 7 at 13:00 CET
Poster Number: PO:12:308
Session: 12 – Other Topics

Teodora Staeva, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, poster presentation:

Lupus Nexus: A Registry, Biorepository, and Data Exchange Platform to Foster Global Collaborations
Date and Time: On display from Friday, March 6 at 7:30 CET – Saturday, March 7 at 13:00 CET
Poster Number: PO:12:309
Session: 12 – Other Topics

Fostering the Next Generation of Worldwide Lupus Talent

In parallel with advancing our shared goal of international collaboration to enhance our knowledge of lupus, both organizations are committed to cultivating the field’s talent pipeline.

To realize that goal, the Lupus Research Alliance is supporting the SLEuro Mentorship Program established and administered by SLEuro — helping young physicians strengthen and expand their clinical and/or research skills while building a meaningful network of scientific contacts in the field.

The program includes an 8-week immersive training at a leading SLEuro Center where mentees receive guidance to develop a clinical research project that can be implemented at their institutions.

Recipients of the 2026–2027 SLEuro Mentorship Program, supported by the LRA, will be announced during the Opening Ceremony on Wednesday, March 4 from 18:30 to 21:30 CET in Auditorium I.

“Building a strong future of lupus research means investing in the generation that will lead it,” Luís Sousa Inês, MD, PhD, President, European Lupus Society, said. “Through this program, we are equipping burgeoning talent with the training, guidance, and networks to take their skills to the next level – strengthening our global community to support and improve care for the millions of people living with lupus.”

To learn more about SLEuro’s 15th European Lupus Meeting, visit here. Follow along with the Lupus Research Alliance during the meeting on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.