Global respiratory experts unite at St. Vincent’s University Hospital to advance care for patients with chronic lung disease

13th October 2025

Global leaders in respiratory medicine gathered at St. Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH) on Friday last for the 16th International Meeting of the Centre for Respiratory Disease – a flagship event showcasing innovation, collaboration and cutting-edge research in the management of lung disease.

This year’s conference, titled “Investigation and Management of Respiratory Disease: State of the Art,” brought together world-renowned experts to discuss how better phenotyping of lung diseases can lead to better prediction, more targeted therapies and meaningful new treatments for patients living with chronic respiratory conditions.

“The pace of progress in respiratory medicine depends on collaboration – bringing together expert centres, sharing knowledge and challenging how we think about disease. Meetings like this enable us to translate discovery into practice more rapidly and ensure patients benefit from the very best science and care,” said Assoc. Prof. Cormac McCarthy, Consultant Respiratory Physician, St. Vincent’s University Hospital.

International expertise

The meeting featured an outstanding international faculty, including Prof. Toby Maher (University of Southern California, USA), Prof. Tillie Hackett (University of British Columbia, Canada), Dr. Julie Morisset (Université de Montréal, Canada) and Dr. Chad Newton (UT Southwestern Medical Centre, USA). They were joined by leading Irish and European experts including Prof. Florence Roufosse (Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium), Prof. Sean Gaine (University College Dublin, Ireland), Dr. Sabina Guler (University of Bern, Switzerland), Prof. Nicholas Roche (Paris Cité University, France) and Dr. Marcel Veltkamp (University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands).

Together, they shared the latest global advances in respiratory medicine, reflecting the spirit of collaboration and innovation that defines this annual meeting at SVUH.

Throughout the day, speakers shared insights across pulmonary medicine, interstitial lung disease, COPD, asthma, eosinophilic disease, and more, with a clear focus on ensuring that innovation in research translates into improved outcomes for patients.

SVUH: A National Centre of Excellence

The meeting reaffirms St. Vincent’s University Hospital’s position as Ireland’s national centre of excellence in respiratory health, where clinical expertise, innovation and research come together to transform patient care.

The Department of Respiratory Medicine at SVUH provides specialist diagnosis and management across the full spectrum of acute and chronic respiratory disorders including asthma, COPD, lung cancer, respiratory infections, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, rare lung diseases, and sleep-related breathing disorders. Through close collaboration with the UCD-affiliated respiratory department at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, SVUH further benefits from the expertise of the National Lung Transplant and National Pulmonary Hypertension Units.

Through its seamless partnership with University College Dublin (UCD), the Centre for Respiratory Disease has established itself as a leading international hub for translational research and clinical innovation, ensuring that breakthroughs in discovery move rapidly from the laboratory to the bedside.

Driving collaboration and innovation

The conference programme, which included sessions on novel therapies, mechanisms and markers of lung disease and predicting therapeutic response, highlights the importance of collaboration between expert centres worldwide.

Reflecting on the success of the meeting, Assoc. Prof. Marcus Butler, Consultant Respiratory Physician, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, said: “This event reflected our shared commitment to advancing research, strengthening collaboration and improving outcomes for patients living with respiratory disease in Ireland and beyond.”

Assoc. Prof. Cormac McCarthy, Consultant Respiratory Physician added: “Events like this are vital to ensure that the latest advances in research translate into real improvements in patient care. The collaboration between SVUH, UCD and our international colleagues continues to drive meaningful innovation in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease.”

Special thanks to Assoc. Prof. Marcus Butler, Assoc. Prof. Cormac McCarthy and Dr. Alessandro Franciosi for organising such an impactful event and to all speakers whose expertise and collaboration continue to advance respiratory medicine for the benefit of patients everywhere. Sincere thanks also to all who attended and contributed to the success of the day.

About the Centre for Respiratory Disease at SVUH

The Centre for Respiratory Disease at St. Vincent’s University Hospital plays a leading role in patient care, education and research in Ireland and internationally. In partnership with UCD, it offers world-class training opportunities and drives innovation in respiratory medicine through multidisciplinary collaboration and translational research, ensuring that every advancement in science brings tangible benefit to patients.

Photos by Michael O’Farrell | PHOTOGRAPHY