The 2025 ABCARA Scientific Research Symposium, proudly supported by the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF), brought together leading minds in neuro-oncology on 17 September at The Langham, Gold Coast, following the 17th COGNO Annual Scientific Meeting. This year’s theme, “Frontiers in Brain Cancer Research,” set the stage for a dynamic program of breakthrough science and international collaboration.
Three outstanding international experts headlined the program, offering cutting-edge perspectives on brain cancer treatment and research:
- A/Prof Adam Sonabend, Associate Professor of Neurosurgery and Director of Translational Neuro-Oncology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Chicago, USA)
- Dr Thomas Park, leader of the Translational Neuro-Oncology Lab at the Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland (NZ), and co-chair and founding member of the New Zealand Aotearoa Neuro-Oncology Society
- Dr Gregory Stein, CEO of Curtana Pharmaceuticals (USA)
Their presentations, alongside exceptional Australian speakers, sparked engaging discussions and shared vital knowledge with researchers from across the globe.
The Mark Hughes Foundation’s ongoing support enables ABCARA to attract world-class speakers and offer an exceptional conference experience to researchers, including postgraduate students. MHF Co-Founder Mark Hughes opened the event with a special video message, while MHF Chair in Brain Cancer Research Professor Mike Fay delivered a compelling presentation that received outstanding feedback.
“ABCARA 2025 was our most successful Symposium yet,” Professor Hui Gan,ABCARA Co-Director noted. “This is only possible thanks to the generosity of partners like the Mark Hughes Foundation, who share our commitment to better outcomes for brain cancer patients through research.”
In a major announcement, ABCARA, in partnership with COGNO and Curtana Pharmaceuticals, revealed the Phase 1 OPAL (OLIG2 inhibitor) trial—a first-in-human clinical study testing the brain-penetrant small molecule OLIG2 inhibitor CT-179 in both recurrent and newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients. This groundbreaking initiative represents a bold step forward in the fight against this aggressive disease.
The Mark Hughes Foundation is proud to stand alongside ABCARA in advancing critical brain cancer research and supporting the next generation of scientific breakthroughs.
