Sponsored Symposias

All symposias will be held in-person at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Please click on the plus (+) button next to each symposia title for more information.

Saturday, 20 September, 2025

A Patient-Centred Approach to Ulcerative Colitis

Saturday 20 September
7:15am - 8:15am
Meeting Room 216

Sponsored by

  • Join the Pfizer breakfast symposium at AGW 2025 with international expert Prof Millie Long and local experts Prof Rupert Leong & A/Prof Britt Christensen – join our experts for an engaging review of Ulcerative Colitis from setting treatment goals to long-term management, illustrated with interactive case studies and featuring practical guidance

    • Prof Rupert Leong – Director of Endoscopy and Head of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Services, Concord Hospital

    • A/Prof Britt Christensen – Head of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Royal Melbourne Hospital

    • Prof Millie Long – Professor of Medicine and Chief, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

ERCP and EUS at the crossroads

Saturday 20 September
7:15am - 8:15am
Meeting Room 208

Sponsored by

  • ERCP and EUS have evolved from primarily diagnostic tools into powerful, minimally invasive therapeutic platforms. As their capabilities expand, these two modalities increasingly intersect in the management of pancreaticobiliary diseases. This breakfast session will explore the current landscape where ERCP and EUS converge, overlap, and complement each other, highlighting advancements that are reshaping clinical pathways.

    Interactive discussions will examine clinical decision-making in scenarios where either modality could be employed, with emphasis on patient safety, procedural outcomes, and resource utilization. The meeting will also highlight training challenges and the need for structured competency development in advanced endoscopy.

    By bringing together leaders in the field, this symposium aims to foster a collaborative vision for the future of pancreaticobiliary endoscopy—where ERCP and EUS are not in competition, but part of a dynamic, integrated toolkit to optimize patient care.

    • Prof Krish Ragunath - Royal Perth Hospital

    • Dr Nageshwar Reddy - Asian Institute of Gastroenterology & AIG Hospitals

From Data to Decisions: Real-World Evidence in the Evolving Landscape of Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)

Saturday 20 September
7:15am - 8:15am
Meeting Room 207

Sponsored by

  • Join us for an engaging and insightful breakfast session exploring the evolving treatment landscape in the management of Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), with a focus on real-world evidence and patient-centered decision-making.

    • Prof Martin Weltman

    • Prof David Jones - Virtual (video recording but then connect via Teams for the Q&A)

    • Prof Martin Weltman

Switch Smart – Mastering the art of switching in IBD

Saturday 20 September
1:00pm - 1:55pm
Meeting Room 209

Sponsored by

  • Switching in IBD is both science and strategy. This interactive, case-based session brings together global and local experts to tackle real-world scenarios — from IV to SC transitions, biosimilar swaps, to switching out of class. With insights from gastroenterologists and IBD nurses you’ll gain practical tools to switch with confidence, minimise patient anxiety, and maximise outcomes.

    Switching therapy in IBD isn’t just a clinical decision — it’s a skill that blends science, strategy, and patient partnership. In this dynamic, case-based and highly interactive session, we’ll explore the real-world art of switching through a multidisciplinary lens.

    Through practical scenarios, we’ll unpack:

    1. Formulation switches – IV to SC without losing clinical momentum.

    2. Brand switches – biosimilar transition that build, not break, trust.

    3. Class switches – knowing when to change direction for the best long-term outcomes.

    Global IBD leader A/Prof Parambir Dulai will set the stage with evidence-based strategies on optimising therapy before making a switch, aligning decisions with treatment goals, and recognising the right time to act. Dr Yoon-Kyo An and A/Prof Britt Christenson will walk us through real patient cases and discuss when, how and why to switch, while our expert IBD nurse will share actionable tips for counselling, communication, and minimising patient anxiety during change.

  • Dr Yoon-Kyo An

    • A/Prof Parambir Dulai

    • A/Prof Britt Christenson

    • Dr Yoon-Kyo An

    • Jack Thomas

Emerging Frontiers in IBD Treatment: The evolution, revolution and transformation of IBD Care

Saturday 20 September
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Meeting Room 208

Sponsored by

  • Join us for the symposium, "Emerging Frontiers in IBD Treatment: The Evolution, Revolution, and Transformation of IBD Care," designed specifically for gastroenterologists and healthcare professionals working in the area of IBD. Hosted by AbbVie, this event brings together leading experts A/Prof Britt Christensen, Prof Michael Kamm, and A/Prof Jacob Begun to provide insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of inflammatory bowel disease treatment.

    The symposium will explore the progression from conventional therapies to advanced treatments like RINVOQ, which have greatly influenced treatment protocols and improved patient outcomes. Engage in thought-provoking discussions covering the evolution of treatment guidelines, the impact of personalised medicine, and the role of the latest clinical trials in shaping IBD care.

    Don't miss this opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, gain insights into groundbreaking therapies, and discuss the future directions of IBD treatment. For further details, please reach out to your AbbVie representative.

    • Dr Alvin Quah

    • Prof Michael Kamm

    • A/Prof Jake Begun

    • Britt Christensen

Sunday, 21 September, 2025

Innovations in IPCE: Driving Access, Efficiency and Quality in Healthcare

Sunday 21 September
7:15am - 8:15am
Meeting Room 208

Sponsored by

  • An Urban, Regional, and Global Perspective

    This session highlights a purpose-built facility delivering pre-sterilised, ready-to-use endoscopes - advancing infection prevention, supporting regional healthcare access and enabling high-volume data collection to drive research.

    • Prof Benedict Devereaux- Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital

    • Ms Di Jones- ANZGITA

    • Dr Mehul Lamba- Christchurch Hospital

    • Ms Grace Loh- Western Australia Country Health Service

Advances in MASH care: from patient identification to cardiometabolic management

Sunday 21 September
7:15am - 8:15am
Meeting Room 209

Sponsored by

  • Join international expert Prof. Emmanuel Tsochatzis (UK), along with Prof. Leon Adams and A/Prof. Sam Hocking (endocrinologist), for an engaging and interactive multidisciplinary breakfast symposium. This session will delve into the latest advances in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) clinical care, from patient identification to future therapeutic approaches.

     

    As local and international screening and management guidelines continue to evolve, the need to risk-stratify individuals with steatotic liver disease using non-invasive tests (NITs) across primary and specialist care is becoming increasingly important. Learn about the latest evidence shaping the identification of at-risk individuals with NITs, discuss which referral pathways may be suitable to implement in your clinical practice and explore the therapeutic horizon for optimising the cardiometabolic management of people living with MASH. 

    • Prof Leon Adams

    • Prof Emmanuel Tsochatzis

    • A/Prof Samantha Hocking

Trials to Treatment: Exploring Guselkumab’s Impact in Crohn’s Disease with Insights from Prof. Millie Long

Sunday 21 September
7:15am - 8:15am
Meeting Room 210

Sponsored by

  • Join us at WCOG@AGW25 for an engaging Breakfast Symposium with International Speaker Prof. Millie long who will present on key findings from the pivotal GALAXI and GRAVITI studies on guselkumab in Crohn's disease. Prof. Long will provide a comprehensive summary of these landmark trials and share her valuable real-world experience using guselkumab in the US. Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of emerging treatment options and clinical insights!

    • TBC

    • Prof Millie Long

Elevating Possibilities in PBC: Emerging new therapies

Sunday 21 September
7:15am - 8:15am
Meeting Room 203&204

Sponsored by

  • PBC Scientific Exchange Symposium including a discussion on current unmet needs, evolving treatment goals and emerging new therapeutic options in 2L setting. A facilitated interactive group discussion including the patient perspective will discuss optimal patient management

    • Prof Alex Thompson, St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne

    • A/Prof Martin Weltman, Head of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Nepean Hospital

    • Dr Rohit Gupta, Sunshine Coast University Hospital

    • A/Prof Siddharth Sood, Head of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, Northern Health

Redefining Standards in Primary Biliary Cholangitis Management

Sunday 21 September
5:45pm - 6:45pm
Meeting Room 203&204

Sponsored by

  • Ipsen welcomes you to join leading experts in hepatology for an insightful session focused on the evolving landscape of Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) management. "Redefining Standards in PBC Management" will explore the latest clinical advancements, evolving treatment paradigms, and the importance of early diagnosis and personalised care. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to elevate patient outcomes and drive excellence in PBC care.

    • Dr David Iser

      (Consultant hepatologist & gastroenterologist at:

      Dept of Gastroenterology, St Vincent’s Hospital,

      Infectious Diseases Unit, The Alfred Hospital & Scope Gastroenterology).

    • Prof Simone Strasser (Head of Depart­ment and Senior Staff Specialist in the AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, and Medical Director of the Australian Nation­al Liver Transplantation Unit at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the University of Sydney)

    • Dr Rohit Gupta (Consultant Hepatologist at Sunshine Coast University Hospital)