JOINT CHALLENGE 2021: innovation & education to fight musculoskeletal diseases

On October 15th and 16th, the JOINT CHALLENGE 2021 took place, a unique event that hosted internationally renowned experts from all over the world and saw the participation of physicians invited by our affiliates and distributors.    

The prestigious convention venue of Villa Erba in Cernobbio, on Lake Como (Italy), served as the backdrop of this two-day event, where representatives of different areas of expertise (orthopaedics, rheumatology, sports medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation) came together with the common objective of exchanging views, gathering knowledge, skills and tools to fight musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs), be they acute like a sports injury, or chronic as in the case of osteoarthritis (OA).

The discussed topics also revolved around an interdisciplinary approach to the management of pain within the framework of MSDs treatment: from the advantages of a tailored therapy to the latest specific and emerging treatments. Among the experts contributing to the event there were also representatives of patients associations and health authorities. An example was the presentation on the problems of counterfeit drugs by an expert of AIFA – the Italian Medicines Agency. Last but not least, a specific session was dedicated to innovative solutions, a field in which IBSA plays a leading role thanks to the development of state-of-the-art technologies. 

A very special guest of the JOINT CHALLENGE 2021 was Jury Chechi, the famous Italian gymnast. Gold medal in the rings at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, he also won a bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics at the age of thirty-four after recovering from breaking the tendon of the long head of the left brachial biceps. Jury Chechi shared his amazing experience and inspiring story and stunned the audience with a short yet impressive performance.

The success of this congress was possible thanks to a brilliant and effective synergy of innovative topics and educational aspects. Indeed, innovation is strictly intertwined with education: developing cutting-edge therapies and solutions – from formulas to administration methods – is not enough. To increase competence and foster knowledge among the scientific community, it is essential to disseminate scientific culture through dialogue and sharing of experience.

This scientific congress organized by IBSA Medical Affairs department promoted an in-depth analysis of several aspects of the pain & inflammation and osteoarticular therapeutic areas while being an opportunity to showcase the latest developed solutions.

Even though mankind has been dealing with physical pain ever since its existence, it is only in recent years that the scientific community truly focused on the study of pathophysiology, nociception and the mechanism of action of analgesic substances. Especially the most chronic forms of pain can be truly invalidating and even bear an economic cost for society. In Europe only, it has been estimated that 500 million workdays are lost each year due to chronic and acute pain.

When it comes to osteoarticular disorders, the importance of an early intervention with a tailored therapy, has been widely demonstrated. Whether an inflammatory or a degenerative form, all osteoarticular diseases are usually characterised by a chronic evolution that can result not only in an irreversible damage to the joint structures, but also in a significant worsening of the quality of life.

At IBSA we have a patient-centered approach to care. This means that identifying a solution cannot bypass by the Person and their wellbeing, including pain management and treatment. Over the years, IBSA has placed on the global market innovative solutions both in terms of formulations and technologies. Its comprehensive portfolio of drugs and medical devices ranges from products for oral and intra-articular use, which include the new generation of hybrid hyaluronic acid, to medicated patches produced using hydrogel and drug-in-adhesive technologies for optimal absorption and rapid pain relief. This is for us only a starting point: it is the Group’s intention to continue innovating to provide physicians and specialists in the sector with innovative, safe and effective therapeutic solutions to treat their patients.