An ECI Conference Series


Photo by Nick Karvounis
April 12-17, 2026
Porto, Portugal
About This Conference
Join us at 2026’s premier event, where science, technology, and global collaboration converge to shape the future of vaccine innovation. This transformative conference will bring together leaders in academia, industry, government and not-for-profit global health organizations to explore groundbreaking advancements and their real-world applications. From next-generation platforms and nucleic acid-based vaccines to cutting-edge bioprocessing breakthroughs, AI integration, and sustainable practices, attendees will gain unparalleled insights into how the industry is rapidly evolving to meet global health challenges.
Conference Organization
2026 Conference Chairs

Darrin Cowley
AstraZeneca, USA

Tara Tagmyer
PATH, USA

Stephanie Frank
University College London, UK

Nedim Emil Altaras
Moderna, USA
Steering Committee
Barry C. Buckland, NIIMBL, USA
Paula Marques Alves, iBET, Portugal
John G. Aunins, Janis Biologics, USA
Manon M. Cox, Next Wave Bio, USA
Francesc Godia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Spain
Amine Kamen, McGill University, Canada
Linda Lua, The University of Queensland, Australia
Charles Jean Lutsch, Sanofi Pasteur, France
Tarit K. Mukhopadhyay, Merck & Co., Inc, USA|
Laura A. Palomares, Instituto De Biotecnologia (UNAM), Mexico
Tara Tagmyer, PATH, USA
Conference Sessions
Next Gen platforms and Novel technologies: Accelerating Vaccine Innovation for the Future
This session dives into the latest vaccine platforms and cutting-edge technologies, from vector-based vaccines to modular antigen display approaches. By embracing next-generation technologies, such as nanoparticle vaccines and novel expression systems, the industry is accelerating innovation to meet global vaccine challenges faster and more efficiently than ever before.
Bioprocessing Breakthroughs, AI Integration, and Systems Biology: Accelerating Vaccine Innovation in Manufacturing
This session explores how breakthroughs in bioprocessing technologies, artificial intelligence, regulatory sciences, protein (antigen) design, and computational biology are transforming vaccine development and manufacturing. Key discussions will highlight predictive analytics, high-throughput screening, and computational modeling in enhancing manufacturability, process robustness, and cost efficiency. The session will also showcase real-world applications demonstrating how these advancements are accelerating development timelines, improving scalability, and shaping next-generation vaccine production. By integrating these innovations, the field is advancing toward more automated, data-driven, and scalable solutions, ensuring vaccines are developed and produced with greater efficiency, precision, and accessibility.
Vaccine analytical tools and PAT: Accelerating Vaccine Innovation through Precision
Focusing on the role of advanced analytical tools and Process Analytical Technology (PAT), tools that are essential for accelerating the innovation pipeline and improving the reliability of vaccine manufacturing, this session covers real-time monitoring techniques, data-driven quality control, and regulatory innovations that ensure vaccines are safe, effective, and produced at scale.
Lessons from Animal Health: Accelerating Vaccine Innovation for Human Health
This session demonstrates how lessons from animal vaccine development can accelerate innovation in human health. By studying immune response mechanisms, viral evolution, and deployment strategies in animal health, participants gain insights into faster and more effective vaccine development for human diseases.
Formulation, Delivery, Device: Accelerating Vaccine Innovation in Administration and Accessibility
This session explores how novel formulations, delivery methods, and devices are enhancing the speed, efficiency, and accessibility of vaccines. From advanced stabilizers to cutting-edge delivery systems like microneedles and needle-free injectors, these innovations are crucial to accelerating the development and distribution of effective vaccines globally.
Regional Development and Manufacturing Capacity Building: Accelerating Vaccine Innovation for Global Equity
This session focuses on the critical role of building regional development and manufacturing capacity to accelerate vaccine innovation. Topics will highlight successes from LMIC manufacturers in conducting technology transfer, building local infrastructure to fill supply gaps, and novel regulatory strategies to ensure that vaccine production is scalable, sustainable, and accessible to all regions, particularly low- and middle-income countries.
Nucleic Acid based vaccines: Accelerating Vaccine Innovation with Next Generation Genetic Platforms
This session will explore the continued evolution of nucleic acid-based vaccines, highlighting the unmatched flexibility and speed offered by nucleic acid-based platforms. Attendees will gain insights into cutting-edge advancements and innovations that have emerged in the post-COVID era. The session will also cover how these technologies are positioned to continue evolving vaccine development, enabling rapid responses to emerging infectious diseases and pandemics. From personalized vaccines to scalable platforms, the future of immunization is unfolding faster than ever, and this session will delve into what lies ahead for accelerating vaccine innovation with nucleic acid-based platforms.
Environmental sustainability: Accelerating Vaccine Innovation with Green Practices
This session explores how innovations in environmental sustainability are complementing the acceleration of vaccine innovation. Experts will discuss the use of energy-efficient processes, sustainable material sourcing, and waste reduction to minimize the environmental impact of vaccine manufacturing, all while maintaining the speed and scalability of production.
Previous Conferences
Vaccine Technology I (2006)
Barry C. Buckland, John G. Aunins, Emilio A. Emini, and Jerald C. Sadoff
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Vaccine Technology II (2008)
Barry C. Buckland, John G. Aunins, Paula Marques Alves, and Kathrin Jansen
Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal
Vaccine Technology III (2010)
Barry C. Buckland, John G. Aunins, Paula Marques Alves, and Kathrin Jansen
Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico
Vaccine Technology IV (2012)
Barry C. Buckland, John G. Aunins, Paula Marques Alves, and Kathrin Jansen
Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal
Vaccine Technology V (2014)
Laura Palomares, Manon Cox, John Aunins and Kathrin Jansen
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Vaccine Technology VI (2016)
Laura Palomares, Tarit Mukhopadhyay, Manon Cox and Nathalie Garçon
Albufeira, Portugal
Vaccine Technology VII (2018)
Amine Kamen, Tarit Mukhopadhyay, Charles Lutsch, Nathalie Garçon
Mont Tremblant, Canada
Vaccine Technology VIII (2022)
Tarit Mukhopadhyay, Charles Lutsch, Linda Lua, Francesc Godia,
Sitges, Spain
Vaccine Technology IX (2024)
Charles Lutsch, Linda Lua, Francesc Godia, Tara Tagmyer
Los Cabos, Mexico
General Information about ECI
Engineering Conferences International (ECI) is a not-for-profit, global engineering conferences program, originally established in 1962 that provides opportunities for the exploration of problems and issues of concern to engineers and scientists from many disciplines.
The format of the conference provides morning and late afternoon or evening sessions in which major presentations are made. Poster sessions will be scheduled for evening discussion as well. Available time is included during the afternoons for ad hoc meetings, informal discussions, and/or recreation. This format is designed to enhance rapport among participants and promote dialogue on the development of the meeting. We believe the conferences have been instrumental in generating ideas and disseminating information to a greater extent than is possible through more conventional forums.
All participants are expected both to attend the entire conference and to contribute actively to the discussions. The recording/photographing of lectures and presentations is forbidden. As ECI conferences take place in an informal atmosphere, casual clothing is the usual attire.
Smoking is prohibited at ECI conferences and conference functions.