Join us for this free patient webinar from 17:30–18:45 CET on 4 November 2026 to hear the latest developments in alpha‑1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) research and learn about ongoing work to improve understanding, treatment and care.
The event will bring together researchers, healthcare professionals and patient representatives to discuss findings from the ERS Alpha‑1 Conference, provide an update on the European Alpha-1 Research Collaboration (EARCO) and answer questions from the AATD community.
The webinar is designed for people living with AATD, their families and carers, patient organisations and anyone with an interest in AATD research and patient involvement.
Topics will include:
This webinar has been developed with contributions from EARCO, the Alpha‑1 Europe Alliance, national Alpha‑1 patient associations and the European Lung Foundation (ELF).
The webinar will be held in English, with live translation available in multiple languages.
ELF events are free of charge so they can be accessible to everyone. If you are able, please consider supporting us with a donation. Your contributions help us continue providing inclusive, patient-focused events that amplify the voice of people living with lung conditions. Make a donation.
Karen O'Hara is Chair of Alpha-1 UK, a Board Member of the Alpha-1 European Alliance and a member of the EARCO Steering Committee. Since her AATD diagnosis in 2005, she has been a leading patient advocate, working to raise awareness, improve access to care and ensure the patient voice is represented in research and policy.
Dr Beatriz Lara is a Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust. She is the EARCO Early Career Member and Patient Advocacy Lead and has extensive experience in rare lung diseases, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and patient-centred research.
Professor Christian Clarenbach is Senior Consultant in Pulmonary Medicine at University Hospital Zurich and Head of its specialised clinic for interstitial and rare lung diseases. He leads the Swiss National Alpha-1 Registry and serves as Co-Chair of the European Alpha-1 Research Collaboration (EARCO).
Professor Marc Miravitlles is Senior Researcher and Consultant in Respiratory Medicine at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and President of the European Respiratory Society (2026-2027). He is an internationally recognised expert in COPD and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and has authored more than 700 scientific publications.
