Conference History
The Story of the International Conference on Single-Domain Antibodies
What began as a small gathering of scientists with a shared passion for single-domain antibodies (sdAb) has grown into one of the leading international meetings in the field. Throughout its evolution, the conference has remained true to its original vision: fostering close interactions between academia and industry in an open, collaborative, and welcoming environment.
2019
The inaugural conference in 2019 was organized by Florian I. Schmidt and Paul-Albert Koenig at the University of Bonn. The meeting brought together about 200 participants from four continents and a handful of pioneering sponsors. For the first time, scientists working with and on NANOBODIES® from various fields were brought together. The meeting demonstrated the rapidly growing interest in NANOBODIES® and single-domain antibody research, and laid the foundation for a vibrant scientific community that agreed to continue this conference every two years.
2021
The second edition of the conference took place in Brussels in 2021 under the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the restrictions, the meeting was successfully held in a hybrid format, bringing together more than 200 participants and numerous speakers in person, while hundreds more joined online from around the world. The success of the Brussels meeting helped build momentum for the growing single-domain antibody community, reflected in the continued increase in attendance at the following conference in Paris.
Take a look back at some highlights from Brussels 2021 in the video.
2023
Following the interruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference returned in 2023 at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, France. The event attracted more than 300 participants from around the world and was supported by about 10 sponsors, reflecting the field's growing scientific and collaborative impact.
2025
The momentum continued in 2025 with the conference in Utrecht, The Netherlands, where the community expanded to over 450 participants and 15 sponsors. The meeting further strengthened the unique spirit of collaboration that has become a hallmark of the series, bringing together experts from academia, biotechnology, and the pharmaceutical industry.
2027
For the 2027 edition in Göttingen, Germany, participation has been intentionally capped at 500 attendees. While interest in the meeting continues to grow, maintaining the friendly and interactive atmosphere that has characterized all previous editions remains a core priority. By balancing growth with accessibility, the conference aims to provide an exceptional platform for scientific exchange, networking, and the formation of new collaborations across the global single-domain antibody community.
We are proud to continue this tradition and look forward to welcoming researchers, innovators, and industry partners from around the world to Göttingen for the next chapter in the history of this remarkable meeting.