As antibiotic resistance accelerates into a global crisis, phage therapy is emerging as one of the most promising—and urgent—solutions in modern medicine. From June 10–11, 2025, the international scientific and medical community will gather in Berlin for Targeting Phage Therapy 2025, the leading global event focused on translating phage research into clinical reality.

Phagey

Source: Photograph courtesy of Vincent Fischetti and Raymond Schuch, The Rockefeller University.

Negative stain electron micrograph of the gamma phage from which the PlyG lytic enzyme was cloned for use to control B. anthracis.

With the theme “From Bench to Bedside: Accelerating Clinical Applications of Phage Therapy”, this year’s program brings together global leaders across infectious diseases, oncology, microbiome science, regulatory affairs, and biotechnology.

This year’s edition is strategically designed to fast-track the integration of phage-based therapeutics into routine clinical practice. Key sessions will explore:

  • Ongoing clinical trials in cystic fibrosis, melanoma, and burn infections
  • Engineered phages for cancer and personalized microbiome modulation
  • Innovative delivery systems, from inhaled phages to hydrogels and tablets
  • Legal and regulatory frameworks enabling real-world phage deployment
  • GMP manufacturing pipelines and market access strategies

“The field has matured. The science is here. Now, our focus is clear: scale up production, secure regulatory approval, and deliver precision phage therapies to the patients who need them,” says Prof. Marvin Edeas, Chairman of the Scientific Committee.

Highlights from the 2025 Program 

Major Speakers Include:

“Keynote Speech – Phage Therapy 2030: Getting from here to there”

  • Robert T. Schooley – University of California, San Diego (USA)

“Bacteriophage Therapy: A Renaissance – From Military Medicine to Civilian Healthcare”

  • Christian Willy – Academic Hospital Bundeswehr Berlin (Germany)

“Complex Phage Communities Control Gut (im)balances and May Hold the Key to Restore Gut Biosis”

  • Dennis Sandris Nielsen – University of Copenhagen (Denmark)

“Inhaled Bacteriophage Therapy for Multidrug Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa: Advances & Perspectives”

  • Gail L. Stanley – Yale University (USA)

“KlebPhaCol: Novel Gut Phage Order Associated with the Human Gut”

  • Franklin Nobrega – University of Southampton (United Kingdom)

“Optimizing the Phage-Bacteria Ratio in Phage Therapy: Metagenomic Insights into Microbial Balance and Dysbiosis”

  • Domenico Frezza – University of Roma Tor Vergata (Italy)

“Phage Defense Systems: Are they an Obstacle for Phage Therapy?”

  • Stan J.J. Brouns – Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands)

“Biocontrol of Phage Resistance in Pseudomonas Infections – Fitness Trade-Offs Between Phages and Antibiotic Sensitivity”

  • Jumpei Fujiki – Rakuno Gakuen University (Japan)

“Yersinia Phage Stories: Impact on Phage Therapy”

  • Mikael Skurnik – University of Helsinki (Finland)

“Targeting Tumors with Engineered Phages: A New Frontier in Precision Oncology”

  • Alberto Danielli – University of Bologna (Italy)

“Engineering Phages for Cancer Therapy: Insights into Immune Interactions and Targeting in Ex-Vivo and In-Vivo Models”

  • Alena Kaltenbrunner – University of Bologna (Italy)

“Endolysin B as a New Approach & Archetype in M. Tuberculosis Treatment”

  • Loris Rizzello – University of Milan (Italy)

“Ex vivo pig lung as a new Cystic Fibrosis model for the study of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm infection and phage therapy application”

  • Marco Cafora – University of Milan (Italy)

“Translating Phage Therapy into the Clinic: Recent Accomplishments and Next Challenges”

  • Jeremy Barr – Monash University (Australia)

“Bacteriophage Therapy for Critical Infections Related to Cardiothoracic Surgery”

  • Christian Kühn – Hannover Medical School (Germany)

“Phage Therapy in Veterinary Medicine: Presentation of First Clinical Trial in Japan”

  • Hidetomo Iwano – Rakuno Gakuen University (Japan)

“Bacteriophages Applications in Broiler Farms: Strategies & Perspectives”

  • Sandra Sevilla-Navarro – Centro de Calidad Avícola y Alimentación Animal de la Comunidad Valenciana (Spain)

“Phage Therapy in Europe: Legal, Regulatory and Ethic Issues”

  • Barbara Brenner – Kanzlei BRENNER (Germany)

To find out more, visit https://phagetherapy-site.com/.

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