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.

The inaugural conference, held in 2019 and organized by Florian Schmidt, brought together 100+ participants and a handful of pioneering sponsors. The meeting demonstrated the rapidly growing interest in NANOBODIES® and single-domain antibody research and laid the foundation for a vibrant scientific community.

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.

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.

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.