ESMI Annual Meeting 2024: Advancing SCA3/MJD Research in the Azores

The 2024 annual ESMI meeting took place from Oct 30-31 in Ponto Delgada on San Miguel, the main island of the Azores. Thanks to the excellent organization and great hospitality of Manuela Lima and the entire Azores team, the meeting was not only scientifically successful, but also a unique experience for all participants, which further strengthened the ties between all ESMI investigators and the cooperating industry partners. Scientific highlights were the presentation of the longitudinal biomarker data of the ESMI cohort and the discussion on new biomarker candidates, in particular immune markers. The scientific part was followed by a meeting with SCA3/MJD patients and representatives on Oct 31 that helped to better understand the needs of affected people and to inform them about scientific achievements and prospects for the development of effective therapies. Due to the great importance of SCA3/MJD in the Azores, the public interest in ESMI was great. The meeting was reported in the local newspaper, on the radio and on TV.