The MEDICA LABMED FORUM has developed into a central scientific element of MEDICA, the world’s leading trade fair for the healthcare industry and medical technology. Under the direction of Stefan Holdenrieder from the German Heart Center of the Technical University of Munich , the forum will take place from November 17 to 20, 2025 in the middle of the exhibition area for laboratory equipment and diagnostics in Hall 1. It combines clinical practice, research and patient care and provides impetus for numerous medical disciplines through blood tests and other laboratory medical procedures.

In recent years, the forum has initially been dominated by the corona pandemic with a focus on virological, diagnostic and clinical aspects. Since 2023, the focus has shifted to digitalization, artificial intelligence and automation. Large language models and intelligent robots address practical challenges such as a shortage of skilled workers and growing demands on laboratories. Legal framework conditions are regularly discussed, including the European Union’s In Vitro Diagnostics Regulation. A special focus is on cardiological and oncological diseases as the most common causes of death in Western countries, supplemented by research on aging and longevity since 2024.

The 2025 Agenda includes daily focal points. Morning sessions run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., afternoon sessions from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the exception of Thursday due to shortened trade fair hours (10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.). Lunch breaks include industry presentations.

On Monday, November 17, Thomas Streichert from the University of Cologne will lead the day on the shortage of skilled workers and the In Vitro Diagnostics Ordinance. Surveys of laboratories identify staff shortages as the biggest challenge, as increasing sample numbers and more complex diagnostics make it difficult to obtain fast, high-quality results. The morning session will highlight the causes and developments of the shortage, innovative strategies for attracting and retaining employees, as well as digitization and automation as relief. Best practices for future-oriented laboratories will be presented. In the afternoon, the focus will be on news on the In Vitro Diagnostics Regulation, including cybersecurity, the use of artificial intelligence and consumer protection in direct-to-consumer testing, where laboratory tests are marketed directly via the internet or pharmacies without medical supervision.

Tuesday, November 18, under the direction of Stefan Holdenrieder, will be dedicated to cardiogenetics and oncology. In the morning, the focus will be on cardiogenetics, with the investigation of mono- and polygenetic risk factors for congenital heart defects, cardiomyopathies and coronary heart disease in children and adults. Early interventions to avoid long-term damage are discussed. Experts such as Cordula Wolf and Teresa Trenkwalder from the German Heart Center and Eric Schulze-Bahr from the University Hospital Münster are involved. In the afternoon, the focus will be on Multi-Cancer Early Detection, an early detection of cancer from the blood using highly sensitive techniques. It is based on cell-free DNA molecules from tumor cells, which are identified by methylation and fragment length patterns even before tumors are clinically or radiologically visible. Bioinformatics methods process the data volumes.

On Wednesday, November 19, Verena Haselmann from the University of Mannheim is organizing the Young Scientists Day with a focus on artificial intelligence and tele-lab care. Young researchers present results and represent the interests of young researchers. In the morning, artificial intelligence in laboratory medicine, including support for integrated diagnostics through large language models, will address applications in hemato-oncology and pediatrics. In the afternoon, the focus will be on tele-lab care, with digitalization of patient care, collaboration with imaging and continuous self-monitoring via wearables, as well as regulatory aspects of telemedicine platforms.

On Thursday, November 20, Kai Prager from DiaSys Diagnostic Systems and Peter Quick from the Association of the Diagnostic Industry will conclude the forum with healthy aging and longevity. Anti-aging is controversial because the boundaries between science and commercial offerings are blurred. The focus is on cellular processes, epigenetic changes and the role of stem cells in aging. Other focal points are dementia prevention and personalized diagnostics as well as therapy of neurodegenerative diseases.

The forum addresses forward-looking trends such as digitalization, artificial intelligence and automation in modern laboratory medicine. MEDICA 2025 includes a total of over 300 speakers in forums and conferences, with 193 sessions on topics such as device innovation, women’s medicine, regulation and artificial intelligence.

More details about the forum

MEDICA LABMED FORUM – Information

MEDICA LABMED FORUM: Trends, Topics and Innovations in Laboratory Medicine – Examined in More Detail and in Expert Discussion

Read Also:

ASKED: “The DGKL will be present at MEDICA again this year” – MedLabPortal

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

Gender Notice. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple naming and gendered designations are used for better readability. ected.