ARDT External Showcase 2026

📍 The Catalyst, Newcastle
📅 Tuesday 24 November 2026
⏰ Registration and refreshments from 09:30 | Showcase programme 10:00 – 17:30

The LifeArc Centre for Acceleration of Rare Disease Trials (ARDT) is delighted to announce its inaugural External Showcase, taking place on Tuesday 24 November 2026 at The Catalyst, Newcastle.

This landmark event will bring together researchers, clinicians, patient and public representatives, industry colleagues, funders, policymakers and other key stakeholders from across the rare disease community. Together, we will explore how collaboration, innovation and shared infrastructure can help drive progress in rare disease clinical trials and improve opportunities for patients to participate in research.

The showcase will highlight ARDT’s achievements, ongoing research activities and future ambitions, with a particular focus on how the Centre is helping to address some of the key challenges facing rare disease trial delivery. Attendees will also hear about developments within the Rare Disease Recruitment Platform and learn how innovative approaches to recruitment, trial design and trial delivery can help accelerate research across the rare disease landscape.

The programme will feature keynote speakers, presentations from across the Centre, panel discussions and dedicated networking opportunities, providing a forum for knowledge exchange and new collaborations.

Who should attend?

The ARDT External Showcase will be of interest to:Rare disease researchers and clinical trial professionals

NHS clinicians and research delivery teams

• Patient organisations and patient/public representatives
• Research funders and policymakers
• Industry partners involved in rare disease research and development
• Organisations supporting rare disease infrastructure, innovation and research networks

Attendance

The showcase will be delivered as a hybrid event, allowing attendees to participate either in person or online.

Places for in-person attendance are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Online attendance will be available to all registered participants, with joining instructions distributed closer to the event date.

Further information on the programme, speakers and event logistics will be announced in due course.

We look forward to welcoming colleagues from across the rare disease community to Newcastle for a day of discussion, collaboration and shared learning.