The Lancefield International Symposium on Streptococci and Streptococcal Diseases (LISSSD), will provide a global forum for Queensland’s ground-breaking research, leading to human vaccine trials for Strep A, responsible for more than 500,000 deaths globally each year.
The Symposium will take place at the ASM Global managed Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) in June 2025, when more than 500 of the world’s foremost experts in the field of Streptococci and Streptococcal diseases are expected to attend.
The successful bid, strongly supported by Australia’s scientific community was driven by BCEC Advocate, Professor Michael Good AO and Associate Professor Manisha Pandey in partnership with the team at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, together with Tourism & Events Queensland (TEQ) and Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA).
Professor Good, an international leader in immunology of infectious diseases and vaccine research, along with Associate Professor Manisha Pandey, from Brisbane’s Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics, have developed vaccine platforms and world-first candidate peptide-based vaccines, currently in clinical trials, a major milestone in the fight against Strep A disease.
As a nation, Australia is deeply impacted by Streptococcal diseases, with the country’s Indigenous population recording the highest mortality rates in the world. Rheumatic Heart disease, the most severe form of the Strep A infections, is the cause of 100 deaths a year, with 90% of those, Indigenous Australians.
Professor Good says the world needs a vaccine more than ever. “There has been a five-fold increase in Strep cases globally in the last two years and if our vaccine proves effective, we believe it has the ability to control the pandemic, particularly in remote overcrowded communities which have a lack of primary treatment and care.”
Associate Professor Pandey said the key legacy from hosting the Symposium will be to shine an international spotlight on the extensive research and developments taking place in Queensland and Australia, but also on the impact the disease is having across the world, generating a call for international collaboration for global solutions in this field.
With a key focus on prevention of Strep A disease in Indigenous communities and the necessity for their voice in these forums, Professor Good and Associate Professor Pandey hope to establish a lasting legacy for the conference. They envision the outcomes and discussions from the conference will significantly contribute to advancing understanding and solutions for Strep A-related challenges in these communities and globally.
Organisers also propose to utilise the Symposium to launch an inaugural conference on Rheumatic Heart disease, which would be anchored in Brisbane, eventually rotating around Australia and beyond, returning to its home city of Brisbane.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the Symposium strengthens Brisbane’s position as a global leader in vaccine and infectious diseases research.
“Brisbane is a global research and immunology powerhouse, famous for pioneering world-firsts including the cancer vaccine Gardasil which is saving lives around the world,” Cr Schrinner said.
“This conference is not only significant for our local economy, but an opportunity to drive lasting scientific and social change around the world.”
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre General Manager, Kym Guesdon said hosting the Symposium highlights the extraordinary contribution of the Centre’s Convention Advocates Partnership in pursuing human changing science.
“We are delighted to support our internationally renowned researchers in attracting these important meetings to Brisbane and Australia, particularly with Brisbane’s world leading expertise in vaccine development. It has been our honour to enjoy a decade-long relationship with key leaders in this field, including Professor Michael Good AO.”
The Lancefield International Symposium on Streptococci and Streptococcal Diseases (LISSSD) is proudly supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland.
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