The Chief Investigator of A-TANGO Rajiv Jalan, Professor of Hepatology at University College London, UK, and Scientific Director at EF CLIF, Spain, welcomed everyone suring the opening of the General Assembly meeting.

Carrie Morgan, Vice-President of Yaqrit Ltd., UK, provided an update on the regulatory aspects of the clinical trial to be launched soon including the set up of clinical sites in the UK where patient recruitment and enrollment will be carried out. Mikhal Kowaski, Technical Director at Hepyx Ltd., UK, provided an overview of the drug and placebo manufacturing and packaging processes, and highlighted how thanks to the reallocation of partners own budget A-TANGO has been able to overcome the delays previously encountered. Cornelius Engelmann, clinical researcher and consultant at Charité–Universitätmedizin Berlin, Germany, reviewed primary and secondary objectives of this phase 2 clinical trial and provided updates on the study protocol. Fausto Andreola, Senior Research Fellow at University College London, UK, presented an update on the preparation of standard operational procedures for the collection, labeling, storage and shipment of biological samples, pharmacokinetics studies, and the validation of biomarkers of cells death, humoral- and cellular-mediated immune response, liver cell regeneration and senescence. In order to reduce biobanking costs associated with the collection and storage of biological samples, amendments to the standard operating procedures were considered without affecting the overall scope of the project.

Next, Carlos de la Peña-Ramirez, Statistician at EF CLIF, presented an update on public deliverables – Data Protection Impact Report, Statistical Analysis Plan, and Data Management Plan, and explained that further amendments to the electronic case report form, Statistical Analysis Plan and Data Management Plan need to be implemented based on the changes in the standard operating procedures. Mikhal Kowaski, explained how Hepyx Ltd. is preparing a commercialization plan and calculating the market potential of G-TAK combinatorial therapy. Karen Galvin, Head of Network Engagment at Crowdhelix, Ireland, provided an overview of the geographical spread of members of the newly created Liver Health Helix – a virtual international community of researchers and innovators that collaborate across disciplines and sectors. Karen presented new features within Crowdhelix that will start rolling out early next year. Nina Donner, Communications Lead at concentris GmbH, Germany, reviewed progress regarding communications, dissemination and training activities for early career researchers in A-TANGO. Nina highlighted the growth of the A-TANGO community on social media over the last year and presented most poppular Master Classes on the project’s YouTube channel. She called for further collaboration among partners and the need to engage further with EASL and ELPA. Arthur Mulle, Project Manager at Concentris GmbH, provided a global overview of progress, deliverables and milestones and explained that as part of the measures to reduce project’s costs all future meetings will be held online.

Rajiv Jalan on behalf of Thomas Berg, Head of Division at Leipzig University Medical Center, Germany, and former Secretary General of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) who serves as the Chair of the Impact Board, shared his insights about initiatives outside A-TANGO that are set out for a change in management and treatment of chronic liver disease. He stressed the need for more, independent clinical trials to address quality of life and unmet medical needs in patients with cirrhosis that develop complications leading to acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).

Scientific and Ethical Advisory Board members Emeritus Professors Tilman Sauerbruch and Geoffrey Dusheiko provided valuable input and feedback throughout the meeting together with Data and Safety Monitoring Committee member Emeritus Professor Mauro Bernardi, who highlighted the good work carried out by the A-TANGO Consortium.

Annarein Kerbert, postdoctoral researcher at Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, France, engaged and delighted meeting attendees with her Master Class where she shared her views on how health economics can contribute to A-TANGO.

Finally, at the closing session, Rajiv Jalan thanked everyone for being extremely supportive and able to adapt quickly to changing project requirements.