News & Events

13.06.2025 - Barcelona/Wien: Highlights of the EULAR 2025 conference

We would like to share key highlights from the ongoing EULAR 2025 Congress, currently taking place in Barcelona and drawing over 14,000 participants from around the world. This year’s congress marks not only scientific and institutional advancements but also a moment of special recognition for our division.

Prof. Daniel Aletaha Concludes His EULAR Presidency

EULAR 2025 marks the final congress led by Prof. Daniel Aletaha, our Head of Division here at the Medical University of Vienna, who will officially conclude his term as President of EULAR at the close of the conference. Under his leadership, EULAR has expanded its reach and visibility, prioritized the accessibility of evidence-based knowledge, and strengthened collaborations across disciplines. He will pass the presidency on to Prof. Xenofon Baraliakos.

Renewed Recognition: Centre of Excellence Status for 2025–2030

We are also delighted to announce that our division has once again been awarded the prestigious title of EULAR Centre of Excellence for the period 2025–2030, following our initial designation for 2020–2025. This renewed distinction recognizes our continued excellence in rheumatologic research, education, and clinical care, and affirms our leading role within the international academic rheumatology community.

Fighting Misinformation: EULAR Launches “My EULAR” Platform

In an era of increasing medical misinformation, EULAR introduced the new “My EULAR” platform during the opening ceremony. This initiative provides reliable, science-based information on rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases for patients, healthcare professionals, and the public. By promoting transparency and credibility, “My EULAR” is a powerful tool in combating fake news and improving health literacy across Europe.

Expanding Access to Knowledge: New EULAR Journal

Also launched earlier this year and spotlighted at the congress is EULAR Rheumatology Open, a new open-access, peer-reviewed journal offering high-quality scientific content and lay summaries of recommendations to foster inclusivity and accessibility. The journal represents a significant step in EULAR’s strategy to make rheumatology research openly available to a broader audience.

A Successful Congress

With over 14,000 attendees, the congress continues to be the leading platform for cutting-edge science, collaborative exchange, and setting the future direction of the field.

For our Division of Rheumatology, EULAR 2025 is a moment of reflection, recognition, and renewed momentum—as we celebrate leadership transitions, international distinction, and a deepened commitment to excellence in rheumatologic care and research.

03.06.2025 - EULAR 2025 Is Just Around the Corner – Here’s What to Expect!

As we count down to the highly anticipated EULAR 2025 Congress, we’re thrilled to share a special preview with none other than Prof. Daniel Aletaha, Head of our Division of Rheumatology and current President of EULAR.

In a two-part video interview series, Daniel shares why EULAR 2025 promises to be an especially exciting edition. He also spotlights two groundbreaking EU-funded research projects - Squeeze and AutoPiX - which are coordinated by our division and will be featured at the congress.

Watch the interviews here:

• Part 1: What to expect at EULAR 2025
• Part 2: EU projects SQUEEZE & AutoPiX – reshaping the future of rheumatology

In the second video, Daniel dives deeper into the innovative science behind these two ambitious projects and emphasizes how patient involvement is central to both initiatives. By actively engaging patients in the research process, we’re ensuring that their insights and experiences help shape the future of rheumatology care and innovation.

14.05.2025 - New Insights on Janus Kinase Inhibitors (JAKi) in Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases

Two comprehensive Systematic Reviews Published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

The treatment landscape of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) has evolved significantly with the advent of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi). To provide a clearer and evidence-based perspective on the efficacy and safety of these agents, two extensive systematic literature reviews first-authored by Victoria Konzett, a junior rheumatologist from our division, have been published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2025). These reviews formed the scientific backbone for the 2024 update of the international expert consensus statement on the use of JAK inhibitors in IMIDs.

17.03.2025 - Our department mourns the loss of Klaus Machold

It is with deep sadness that we bid farewell to Klaus Machold, an extraordinary person, an outstanding doctor, mentor, colleague and friend. His tireless commitment, his passion for rheumatology and his profound expertise have inspired and shaped several generations of doctors.

^{The MDR-RA Consortium in Milan, Italy, January 2025}

29.01.2025 - Our Division is part of a European project on multi-drug resistant rheumatoid arthritis

The MDR-RA (Multi-Drug Resistance in Rheumatoid Arthritis) project has officially started: it’s an international research initiative, with a total budget of €8.4 million, funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe program and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation. The project, which is coordinated by Humanitas University, involves 23 partners from 12 European countries. In addition to MedUni Vienna, other renowned academic institutions, leading companies, healthcare organisations and patient associations are involved.

^{The AutoPiX-Konsortium in Vienna, December 2024}

09.12.2024 - We are coordinating a new European IHI project to advance imaging in arthritis: AutoPiX!

Our division is coordinating AutoPiX, a new project involving European research partners, pharmaceutical companies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and patient organisations, under the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) public-private partnership to improve the diagnosis, treatment decisions, and monitoring of major rheumatic diseases. This newly launched IHI AutoPiX project will leverage AI to make clinical imaging more interpretable to scientists, clinicians, and patients.

To enhance imaging biomarkers for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and axial spondyloarthritis, the IHI-funded AutoPiX project brings together world-class pharmaceutical and medical technology partners with leading academic institutions.