The 2026 PFIC Family & Scientific Conference is here!
July 9-10, 2026 | Chicago, Illinois
This unique gathering connects people living with PFIC with one another and with expert clinicians and researchers committed to the disease to share experiences, exchange knowledge, and identify what matters most. The goal is to support those affected by PFIC today while helping guide future advances in care and research.
We hope you will join us!
This conference is supported by our generous sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor
Presenting Sponsor
Registration Now Open!
Early bird registration will be open until May 16, 2026. Register by this date to secure your seat and receive a complimentary conference t-shirt. Don’t miss this opportunity to lock in the best rate while helping us plan for an amazing event!
Agenda
Preliminary Conference Agenda & Schedule
*Exact times subject to change
Day 1 (Thursday July 9th)
| 12:00-4:00pm | Closed Internal Board & Committee Meetings (By invitation) -Leadership Luncheon for PFIC Network Board of Directors & Scientific Medical Advisory Board -PFIC Research Consortium Steering Committee Meeting |
| 4:00-5:30pm | Welcome Hour at Conference Hotel (In-person only, no virtual activities) Registration check in & community networking opportunity |
| 5:30-8:00pm | Fun Community Outing to Navy Pier ((In-person only, no virtual activities) |
Day 2 (Friday July 10th)
| 8:00-9:00am | Breakfast |
| 9:00-9:15am | Opening Remarks: Emily Ventura, RN, BSN — PFIC Network Executive Director & Co-Founder |
| 9:15-9:40am | Keynote Address: Ron Sokol, MD — PFIC Network Science & Medical Advisory Board Chair |
| 9:40-9:50am | Patient Story |
| 9:50-11:25am | Managing PFIC Today (Talks + moderated panel) Moderator: Emily Perito, MD, MA -Paula Hertel, MD -Alyssa Kriegermeyer, MD |
| 11:25-11:40am | Break |
| 11:40-11:50am | Patient Story |
| 11:50am-1:00pm | PFIC Research Advancements (Part 1) – Presentations (10-minute introduction + three 20-minute talks) Moderator: Chunyue Yin, PhD -Silvia Vilarinho, MD, PhD & Richard Thompson, MD, PhD — Advances in diagnosis -Aki Asai, MD, PhD — Ongoing and completed clinical trials -Henkjan Verkade, MD, PhD — Novel therapeutic development and emerging priorities |
| 1:00-2:00pm | Lunch |
| 2:00-2:25pm | PFIC Research Advancements (Part 2) – Panel Discussion -(Moderated Q&A with research speakers from Part 1) |
| 2:25-4:15pm | Consortium Project: Research Experience Roundtables (20-minute presentation + 90-minute facilitated discussion breakouts) -Melissa Kochanowsky — PFIC Network Associate Director of Programs -Gitta Lubke, PhD -Emily Perito, MD, MA -Caitlin Shneider, PhD |
| 4:15-4:30pm | Break |
| 4:30-4:40pm | Patient Story |
| 4:40-5:20pm | Open Topic Tables: Community Knowledge Exchange |
| 5:20-5:30pm | Closing Remarks |
| 6:00pm | Conference Dinner |
Venue & Lodging
Scholarship Opportunities for PFIC Patients and Families:
The application period for PFIC Network Travel Scholarships has closed. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by March 13th and must register for the conference by April 13th. Applicants must be registered for the conference before scholarships will be disbursed.
If you are a US resident, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) offers several scholarships to help cover travel costs that rare disease patients and caregivers may apply for:
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Interested in supporting the PFIC community? Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2026 PFIC Family & Scientific Conference. Your support helps make this meaningful event possible and ensures accessibility for families from around the world. Contact us to learn more about sponsorship packages and benefits!