The 8th National Conference on Primary Immune Deficiency, or PIDCON 2026, was formally launched at The Park in Kolkata by the Indian Society for Primary Immune Deficiency (ISPID) with support from the international organization Foundation for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (FPID). This historic scientific event is the first national conference on Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI) to be held in Eastern India, marking a major turning point for the medical and research community in the area.

In order to address the pressing need for early diagnosis, better treatment protocols, and greater awareness of primary immune deficiencies in the nation, the conference brings together top clinicians, researchers, and scientists from both India and overseas.

The body’s immune system is compromised by a group of uncommon genetic disorders known as primary immune deficiencies, or Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI). Individuals with these conditions are frequently at risk for severe inflammatory disorders, autoimmune complications, and recurrent infections. These disorders are often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed due to the complexity of symptoms and lack of awareness, which causes treatment to be delayed.

By emphasizing the significance of detecting genetic defects early and enhancing treatment outcomes for impacted patients, PIDCON 2026 seeks to close the gap between cutting-edge genomic research and routine clinical practice.

The scientific program includes eminent Indian specialists in pediatrics, immunology, hematology, and clinical genetics in addition to a distinguished panel of international faculty from the United States and France.

Chief Patron Prof. Sudhir Gupta of the University of California, a world-renowned expert in the field of immunodeficiency, is leading the conference. Their cooperation with domestic specialists is indicative of Kolkata’s increasing stature as a center for international scholarship and medical research.

The key areas of focus are Gene Therapy Roadmap, Development of Specialized Treatment Ecosystems, and Precision Diagnostics.

Emphasis was also on advanced diagnostic tools such as Flow Cytometry and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS).

To strengthen immune disorder care across India, IPSID has come up with some strategic measures like Early Infancy Screening, Diagnostic Standardization, and Multi-Specialty Collaboration.

An important step toward making Kolkata a major hub for clinical collaboration and research on rare diseases is PIDCON 2026. The conference intends to enhance early detection, prompt referral, and access to top-notch care for patients with uncommon immune disorders in India by combining international expertise, cutting-edge diagnostics, and multidisciplinary treatment approaches.

Priyanka Dutta