Media Release

MND Australia welcomes over 600 delegates for landmark MND Congress in Melbourne

Published: 7 September 2025

Melbourne is set to become the centre of international attention in the fight against motor neurone disease (MND).

MND Australia and the Pan-Asian Consortium for Treatment and Research in ALS (PACTALS) welcome more than 600 people and the brightest minds from across the Asia-Pacific region to the PACTALS 2025 Congress -- taking place from 7 to 9 September at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

This is the first time the PACTALS Congress has been held in Australia, and it comes at a pivotal moment in the global response to MND - also known as ALS.

With the theme "Towards Precision in ALS/MND Treatments," the Congress brings together leading researchers, clinicians, allied health professionals, advocates and people living with MND to collaborate on the latest advancements in diagnosis, care, and treatment.

MND is a devastating, terminal neurological condition. In Australia, every day, two people are diagnosed with MND, and two people die from it. There is currently no cure. The average life expectancy from diagnosis is just 27 months.

Against this sobering backdrop, the PACTALS Congress offers a beacon of hope, with a strong focus not only on medical treatment but on extending life and improving the quality of care for people living with the disease.

One of the key highlights of this year’s Congress is the showcase of innovative treatment approaches, including the use of artificial intelligence to repurpose existing drugs for the treatment of MND. This represents a potentially transformative avenue for accelerating access to effective therapies and improving patient outcomes.

Additionally, major clinical trials will be discussed, along with collaborative efforts to harmonise research and care across the Asia-Pacific region.

MND Australia will also host the 12th MND Care Forum on 9 September, running concurrently with the final day of the Congress.

This national event will gather health professionals, care providers, researchers and those directly impacted by MND for a program designed to explore care from every angle - from nutrition and respiratory support to palliative care, self-compassion and the use of assistive technology.

Entry to the Care Forum is free for people living with MND and their carers, reflecting MND Australia’s commitment to equity and accessibility in care and support.

Clare Sullivan, CEO of MND Australia, said the Congress is a vital opportunity to shape the future of MND treatment and care.

"This congress is an extraordinary opportunity for people living with MND and their families," said Ms Sullivan.

"Bringing the Asia-Pacific region’s brightest scientific and clinical minds to Melbourne allows us to examine MND in its entirety - from emerging therapeutic technologies like AI-driven drug repurposing to the nuance of care delivery. This holistic vision is exactly what our community needs to move toward improved treatment outcomes, enhanced quality of life, and, ultimately, hope for the future."

"With a rapidly growing MND population in Australia and across the region, the knowledge-sharing and research partnerships formed during the Congress could accelerate global progress toward better treatments - and one day, a cure."

For the program and further details visit: www.pactalscongress.com