From 23 to 25 April, Barcelona hosted the 47th International Dexeus Congress, a biennial event organized by the Dexeus Mujer Foundation.
Under the motto “Reproductive Medicine meets the World”, the meeting, held at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya, brought together more than 600 specialists in reproductive medicine from around the globe and reaffirmed its position as one of the leading international congresses in women’s health.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the XX Dexeus Mujer Foundation Award to Prof. Kypros Nicolaides, a global reference and pioneer in fetal medicine, during a ceremony held at the Gran Teatre del Liceu on 24 April. The event was attended by prominent figures such as the Spanish Government Delegate in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto Gómez; the Catalan Minister of Equality and Feminism, Eva Menor; and Maria Eugènia Gay, Councillor of the Barcelona City Council
In this edition, the congress broadened its scope beyond assisted reproduction to address the full spectrum of women’s health, from reproductive genetics and immunology to andrology, gynaecological surgery, and the impact of lifestyle on fertility. This cross disciplinary approach reflected the growing conviction that reproductive health must be understood within an integrated framework connecting multiple fields.
Among the presentations, a study conducted by a team of researchers from Dexeus Mujer -with the participation of Prof. Kypros Nicolaides- stood out. The study proposes updating preeclampsia screening after identifying that a key biomarker used to assess the risk of developing the condition may be altered in some pregnancies resulting from IVF treatments, showing lower values and potentially excluding certain high risk cases from preventive monitoring. The results, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics, underscore the importance of continued research in women’s health.
“The congress has brought together the best of international research at a pivotal moment, when artificial intelligence, embryonic live imaging and advances in genetics are redefining the limits of what is possible,” said Prof. Dr. Nikolaos P. Polyzos, director of the congress and president of the Dexeus Mujer Foundation. According to Polyzos, the aim was “to share knowledge and foster connections that accelerate progress for the benefit of patients.”
The scientific programme, held over three days, included sessions on major clinical and technological challenges in women’s health, as well as a new clinical embryological debate format in which specialists jointly analysed real assisted reproduction cases. The congress also explored emerging frontiers such as AI driven embryo selection, in vitro oocyte maturation, and the mechanisms of oocyte ageing.
The event brought together nearly 30 international speakers from prestigious institutions such as the University of Oxford, the Karolinska Institutet and King’s College Hospital London. Among them, Prof. Kypros Nicolaides delivered the keynote lecture. The award ceremony at the Liceu reinforced the Foundation’s global outlook and its commitment to scientific excellence.
