[Kyoto, Japan = E-Daily Reporter KIM SAE-MI ] Approximately 7,000 leading scholars and medical professionals in the fields of allergy and clinical immunology are gathering in Kyoto, Japan.

From today through the 18th, the Kyoto International Conference Center will host the 75th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Allergy (JSA), the World Allergy Congress (WAC 2026) organized by the World Allergy Organization (WAO), and the Asia-Pacific Society of Pediatric Allergy, Respiratory, and Immunology (APAPARI 2026) will be held at the Kyoto International Conference Center. The organizers expect approximately 7,000 medical professionals and researchers from around the world to attend the event.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Towards the Future of Allergology: Broader and Deeper!” The aim is to bridge the gap between research findings in basic immunology and practical diagnosis and treatment, while expanding research collaboration across regions and generations.

This event marks the fourth international conference jointly hosted by the Japanese Society of Allergology and the WAO, with APAPARI also participating. According to the Japanese Society of Allergology, since the 2020 joint international conference was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this marks the first time in 35 years—since 1991, when its predecessor, the International Congress of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (ICACI), was held—that an international event related to the World Allergy Congress has been held in person in Japan.

One Day Before the Official Opening of “WAC 2026”… Kyoto Buzzes with Hands-On Workshops and Quizzes

On the 15th, the first day of the conference, various pre-conference events were held ahead of the main academic program. With the official opening just one day away, medical professionals and researchers from around the world engaged in exchanges and shared the latest clinical knowledge through hands-on training and quiz competitions. In particular, programs focused on the participation of young researchers and international collaboration helped build excitement ahead of the main event.

That day, a “Junior Hands-On Course” for young allergy specialists and immunology researchers was held at the Kyoto International Conference Center. Young medical professionals affiliated with the WAO and academic societies in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region planned the program, and experts in each field led the training sessions.

At 1:00 p.m., the session covered oral provocation tests for immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated and non-IgE-mediated food allergies. At 2:00 p.m., hands-on training continued on topics such as the differential diagnosis of skin symptoms and similar conditions, as well as the use of allergy diagnostic devices. The focus was on mastering the diagnostic and treatment skills and judgment required in actual clinical settings, rather than simply attending lectures.

From 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. that day, the 1st “WAO CUP” was held in the annex hall. This international quiz competition brought together 16 teams from around the world to test their knowledge of allergy and clinical immunology. Following the competition, a reception was held to facilitate networking among the participating teams and attendees.

A variety of clinical cases and diagnostic images—including mast cell disorders, the differential diagnosis of skin lesions, and lung diseases related to food allergies—were presented in succession on a large on-site screen. While the participating teams on stage worked through the questions, medical professionals in the audience watched the competition intently, their eyes fixed on the screen. A “2026 WAO CUP” photo zone was also set up at the entrance to the venue, adding to the unique vibrancy of an international academic conference.

A Comprehensive

Overview of Next-Generation Allergy Treatment Strategies… Including a Lecture by a Nobel Laureate

The academic program, which begins in earnest on the 16th, will discuss the latest treatment

strategies

for major allergic diseases such as chronic spontaneous urticaria, asthma, atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and anaphylaxis. With the successive emergence of biologics and new oral medications, key topics such as patient-specific treatment selection, dosing sequences, and treatment accessibility are coming to the forefront. Sessions exploring the future direction of allergy care—including precision medicine, digital health, and allergen immunotherapy—have also been organized.

On the 16th, a symposium discussing biologics, precision medicine, and digital health is scheduled. On the 17th, presentations on skin allergies, urticaria, hereditary angioedema, and anaphylaxis will follow. On the 18th, treatment strategies for major allergic diseases, including immunotherapy, will be discussed. Amid accelerating new drug development, a key topic of discussion will be how to apply the latest clinical evidence to actual clinical practice.

In particular, on the 17th, Professor Emeritus Simon Sakaguchi of Osaka University—recipient of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine—will deliver a keynote lecture focusing on research into regulatory T cells (Tregs). World-renowned food allergy researchers will also attend to highlight shifts in the paradigms of disease prevention and treatment. From South Korea, domestic researchers—including Professor Hae-Sim Park of Ajou University, Professor Dong-Young Kim of Seoul National University, and Hong Su-jong, President of APAPARI—are scheduled to participate in major academic sessions to share their research findings.

Celltrion to Promote Omliclo at WAC… Expanding Engagement with Japanese Healthcare Professionals

Among Korean companies

,

Celltrion(068270)will operate an exhibition booth to promote the clinical evidence and supply capabilities of its allergy treatment “Omliclo” (active ingredient: omalizumab). Omliclo is a biosimilar of Novartis’ “Xolair” and received marketing authorization in Japan last March for the treatment of bronchial asthma, chronic idiopathic urticaria, and seasonal allergic rhinitis. As Japan’s first omalizumab biosimilar, it has completed price listing and is preparing for a local launch later this year.

On the 16th, Celltrion will also host an academic seminar for approximately 400 healthcare professionals under the theme “Expanding Treatment Options Through Biosimilars: The Future of Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis Treatment.” The event will feature the sharing of experiences with omalizumab in the Japanese clinical setting and discussions on the clinical value of biosimilars and their potential to expand treatment options. Professor Emeritus Kimihiro Okubo of Nippon Medical School is scheduled to moderate the panel discussion.

Celltrion’s strategy is to accelerate Omriclo’s entry into the local market by leveraging its existing biosimilar sales network in Japan. According to IQVIA, “Remsima,” a treatment for autoimmune diseases, recorded a 48% market share in Japan as of July this year. Omriclo’s global sales for the first half of this year totaled 188.4 billion won. It remains to be seen whether the local sales infrastructure established through existing products will lead to an increase in Omriclo prescriptions.

A Celltrion spokesperson stated, “This global joint academic conference will be an important opportunity to showcase Omriclo’s therapeutic efficacy and competitiveness as a first-mover to leading experts and healthcare professionals in the field of allergy worldwide,” adding, “We will strive to ensure that Omriclo establishes itself in the Japanese allergy treatment market as soon as possible.”