“Intelligent Oncology – The Potential Of AI To Control Cancer“
24. – 25. September 2026

MISSION

Bringing together experts from various disciplines to explore the latest advances in AI-assisted cancer research. Our goal is to promote collaboration between researchers, physicians, industry leaders, and other visionaries in the field. By sharing knowledge and expertise, we aim to discover new ways to control cancer through the power of AI.

AIM OF THE CONFERENCE

The theme of the conference is Intelligent Oncology, focusing on harnessing the power of AI to control cancer. Our aim is to present cutting-edge research and innovative approaches in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. We aim to identify new research directions, foster collaborations between academia and industry, and facilitate the translation of research findings into clinical practice. By connecting experts in the field, we aim to accelerate progress towards more effective and personalized cancer treatment.

AREAS OF FOCUS

  • AI in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Digital Pathology and Radiology
  • Genomics and Multi-Omics with AI
  • Microscopy and Imaging-based AI
  • AI for Precision Medicine and Immuno-Oncology
  • AI in Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment Modeling
  • Clinical Translation of AI
  • Digital Twins and Predictive Modeling
  • Data Infrastructure and Integration for AI in Oncology
  • Ethical, Regulatory, and Governance Challenges

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

24 SEPTEMBER 

12:30 – 13:00

13:00 – 14:00

Welcome

Keynote: Predicting adaptive immune receptor specificity by AI

Scientific Advisory Board

Prof. Sai Reddy, Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering and ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Session 1: Understanding Cancer Through AI and Computational Biology

14:00 – 14:30

14:30 – 15:00

AI for enhanced 3D imaging

AI-based multi-omics integration: from interpretable representations to clinical applications

Prof. Denis Wirtz, John Hopkins University, USA

Prof. Florian Büttner, Goethe University Frankfurt & German
Cancer Research Center, Germany

15:00 – 15:30

AI for single-cell and spatial biology

Dr. Christina Leslie, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, US

– coffee break & poster session –

Session 2: Building Trust and Regulation in Artificial Intelligence Models for Medicine

16:00 – 16:30

Diagnosing Blood Diseases with AI

Prof. Carsten Marr, Hermholz Munich, Germany

16:30 – 17:00

Principles and best practices for trustworthy AI in oncology

Prof. Karim Lekadir, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain

17:00 – 17:30

From paper to practice: translation and regulation of AI in cancer care

Prof. Bill Lotter, Dana – Farber Cancer Institute & Harvard Medical School, USA

17:30 – 18:00

18:00 – 18:15

Presentations from abstracts

Industry talks

– networking event –

25 SEPTEMBER 

09:00 – 09:30

Keynote by CRIION

Prof. Maria Kalweit, University of Freiburg, Germany

Session 3: AI and Computational Biology in Biomedical Practice

10:00 – 10:30

Title tbd

Nick Wahlen, Novartis, Switzerland

10:30 – 11:00

Artificial intelligence for cancer clinical trial matching

Dr. Kenneth Kehl, Dana – Farber Cancer Institute & Harvard Medical School, USA

11:00 – 11:30

Title tbd

Dr. Maddison Masaeli, Co Founder and CEO at Deepcell, Inc., USA

11:30 – 12:00

AI use at an oncology-focused biotech

Dr. Michael Wenger, BioNTech SE, Germany

12:00 – 12:30

Presentations from abstracts

– coffee break & poster session –

Session 4: Therapy Optimization & Novel Pathways of Interaction

13:30 – 14:00

Title tbd

Prof. Rachel Bashford-Rogers, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

14:00 – 14:30

Predicting tumor evolution and drug response with AI-driven biomarkers

Prof. Andrea Bild, City of Hope, USA

14:30 – 15:00

Virtual Patient Twins for Living Drugs 

Dr. Kristin Reiche, Interdisciplinary Transformation University & Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig 

15:00 – 15:30

Presentations from abstracts

SPEAKERS 2026

Prof. Dr. Andrea Bild
Prof. Dr. Andrea BildCity of Hope, USA
Prof. Dr. Rachel Bashford-Rogers
Prof. Dr. Rachel Bashford-RogersUniversity of Oxford, United Kingdom
Prof. Dr. Florian Büttner
Prof. Dr. Florian BüttnerGoethe University Frankfurt & German Cancer Research Center, Germany
Dr. Kenneth Kehl
Dr. Kenneth Kehl Dana - Farber Cancer Institute & Harvard Medical School, USA
Prof. Dr. Karim Lekadir
Prof. Dr. Karim LekadirUniversitat de Barcelona, Spain
Dr. Christina Leslie
Dr. Christina LeslieMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA
Prof. Dr. Bill Lotter
Prof. Dr. Bill LotterDana - Farber Cancer Institute & Harvard Medical School, USA
Dr. Maddison Masaeli
Dr. Maddison Masaeli Co Founder and CEO at Deepcell, Inc., USA
Prof. Dr. Sai Reddy
Prof. Dr. Sai ReddyBotnar Institute of Immune Engineering and ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Dr. Michael Wenger
Dr. Michael WengerBioNTech SE, Germany
Nick Wahlen
Nick WahlenNovartis, Switzerland
Prof. Dr. Denis Wirtz
Prof. Dr. Denis Wirtz John Hopkins University, USA
Dr. Kristin Reiche
Dr. Kristin ReicheInterdisciplinary Transformation University & Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
Prof. Carsten Marr
Prof. Carsten MarrHermholz Munich, Germany

SCIENTIFIC BOARD

Prof. Dr. Dr. Melanie Börries
Prof. Dr. Dr. Melanie BörriesCRIION Scientific Director Systems Medicine & Medical Center, University of Freiburg
Prof. Dr. Mascha Binder
Prof. Dr. Mascha BinderCRIION Scientific Director Clinical Oncology & University Hospital Basel
Prof. Dr. Joschka Boedecker
Prof. Dr. Joschka BoedeckerCRIION Scientific Director AI & Department of Computer Science, University of Freiburg
Assoc. Prof. Victor Greiff
Assoc. Prof. Victor Greiff University of Oslo, Norway
Prof. Dr. Maria Kalweit
Prof. Dr. Maria Kalweit CRIION Chief Scientific Officer & Department of Computer Science, University of Freiburg
Prof. Dr. Christoph Merten
Prof. Dr. Christoph Merten EPFL, Switzerland
 Dr. Jan Moritz Middeke
Dr. Jan Moritz Middeke University Hospital Dresden, Germany
Prof. em. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Roland Mertelsmann
Prof. em. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Roland Mertelsmann CEO Mertelsmann Foundation & Medical Center, University of Freiburg
Prof. Dr. Adriana Tomic
Prof. Dr. Adriana TomicBoston University, USA
Prof. Dr. Evelyn Ullrich
Prof. Dr. Evelyn UllrichGoethe University, Ullrich Lab - Laboratory for Experimental Immunology & Cell Therapy, Germany
Prof. Dr. Robert Zeiser
Prof. Dr. Robert Zeiser CRIION Scientific Director Translational Oncology & Medical Center, University of Freiburg
Dr. Gabriel Kalweit
Dr. Gabriel Kalweit CRIION Head of AI & Department of Computer Science, University of Freiburg
Dr. Martin Voss
Dr. Martin VossClinical Director, Genitourinary Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA
Dr. Christina Mertelsmann - Voss
Dr. Christina Mertelsmann - VossClinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine
Dr. Cornelius Miething
Dr. Cornelius MiethingUniversity of Freiburg

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

TBA

GENERAL INFORMATION

Event Location

University Freiburg I Aula
Platz der Universität 3 I 79098 Freiburg, Germany

Price

Physicians and Scientists: 100 EUR
Industry: 350 EUR
Students: 50 EUR

You can either join the meeting on site or online.

Organisation

Pia Klaue & Sina Reis-Balikcioglu
comeed – medical conferences, meetings & education
www.comeed.ch

Further Information

Mertelsmann Foundation
Hermann-Herder-Straße 4
79104 Freiburg im Breisgau
contact person: Bernradin Dörr
bernardin.doerr@mertelsmann-foundation.org

Partner 2026

RECORDINGS OF THE PAST MEETING

If you like to receive the password, please contact sina.reis@comeed.ch

IMPRESSIONS OF OUR EVENT 2024