The Joint Annual Congress Highlights Encouraging Progress and Achievements in Organ Transplantation

The American Transplant Congress (ATC 2024) announced the conclusion of its joint annual event, marking the culmination of a momentous gathering dedicated to advancing the field of organ transplantation. Held from June 1-5th in Philadelphia, PA – the event, produced by the American Society of Transplantation (AST) and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS), brought together leading transplant professionals, researchers and advocates from around the world to exchange knowledge, foster collaboration and drive innovation in the pursuit of improved patient outcomes.

ATC 2024 attendees were immersed in a diverse program of 214 scientific sessions, including Hot Topic Debates, Rapid Fire Oral Abstract Presentations and Symposia. These covered a wide spectrum of topics ranging from organ procurement, allocation, immunosuppression, xenotransplantation, robotic surgery and more. Additionally, experts also presented more than 1250 poster abstracts in the Exhibit Hall. Esteemed leaders in the space, Peter Friend, MD, and the Honorable Alex M. Azar II, delivered the 2024 State-of-the-Art Lectures, sharing cutting-edge insights on organ perfusion and a fireside chat on the most pressing challenges facing the transplant community, respectively.

“ATC 2024 serves as a cornerstone event for the transplantation community, providing a unique platform for interdisciplinary collaboration and learning,” said Jon Kobashigawa, MD, President of AST. “We are thrilled to have witnessed such robust engagement and knowledge exchange among our attendees, reflecting our collective commitment to advancing the science and practice of organ transplantation.”

Key highlights from ATC 2024 include:

  • 2,270 complete abstract submissions, underscoring the increasing interest in transplantation research.
  • A special session celebrating the 70th anniversary of the first successful living donor transplant, special late breaking abstracts, and a strong focus on clinical trials.
  • 4,652 transplant professionals and stakeholders in attendance, representing 49 countries, fostering a truly global exchange of ideas and expertise.
  • 120 industry partners and exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations in transplant medicine, from novel immunosuppressive therapies to state-of-the-art organ preservation technologies.

“As we reflect on the success of ATC 2024, we are energized by the collective commitment and dedication of the transplant community to advancing the field,” added Ginny L. Bumgardner, MD, PhD, President of ASTS. “The insights gained, and connections forged during this congress will undoubtedly propel us forward in our mission to improve precision medicine and overcome current challenges in transplantation.”

For more information about ATC 2024 or to become a member of AST and/or ASTS, visit: atcmeeting.org.

The American Society of Transplantation (AST), founded in 1982 is an organization of more than 3,500 professionals dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation and improving patient care by promoting research, education, advocacy, and organ donation. The society is the largest transplant organization in North America and is recognized as the premier society for transplantation. AST members are sought out as transplant experts and advocates.

The American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) was founded in 1974 by 127 surgeons to unite the professionals who were advancing the fledgling field of organ transplantation. From this small group of dedicated individuals, the society has grown to represent over 2,000 transplant professionals who are dedicated to saving and improving lives through the transformative power of organ donation and transplant surgery.

Catherine Lockwood | media@atcmeeting.org