Events
Conferences, galas and community gatherings.
17–18 September 2026
II International Menkes Conference
An event full of purpose and Michelin‑starred dishes. Every ticket supports babies with Menkes Disease. Charity Gala to raise funds for ongoing research and patient support.
Save the Date
Menkes International Association
MARCO II
Menkes Disease, Copper & Human Health
Dates
17–18 September 2025
Venue
Centre Pompidou Málaga, Spain
Format
Hybrid: online & in-person
Languages
Spanish & English
Speakers
25 international researchers & clinicians
Fees
No fees
Accommodation
Hotel Maestranza (4★) — special rate 165 euros (breakfast included)
Contact: maestranza@mshoteles.com
Streaming Links
Day 1 – 17 September: youtube.com/live/vxsccLsoHt4Day 2 – 18 September: youtube.com/live/S9sIf2AhMiQ01 / About the Conference
MARCO II is the second international scientific meeting dedicated to Menkes disease, copper metabolism, and the broader landscape of rare copper-related disorders — bringing together leading researchers, clinicians, policy-makers, patient families, and philanthropic stakeholders.
Building on the success of the inaugural MARCO I meeting held in Málaga in September 2024, this two-day conference deepens the scientific dialogue around diagnosis, treatment, gene therapy, and the lived experience of those affected by rare copper diseases. Researchers will present the latest advances in copper homeostasis, novel therapeutic strategies, neonatal screening, and the intersection of policy and access. Round table sessions offer space for collaborative exchange across disciplines — from bench science to health journalism, from philanthropy to family testimony.
Scientific Talks
Latest research on copper metabolism, Menkes disease, gene therapy, neonatal screening, and rare copper disorders from leading international institutions.
Round Tables
Multidisciplinary discussion sessions covering philanthropy, pharma innovation, health journalism, and patient-centred research.
Family Sessions
Dedicated space for families living with rare copper disorders to share testimonials and connect with the research community.
International Scope
Participants from across Europe, the Americas, and beyond — uniting science and human experience across borders.
02 / Scientific Programme
Day 1 · Wednesday, 17 September 2025
From Bench to Bedside: Treating Genetic Disorders of Copper Metabolism
Vishal Gohil & Prachi Trivedi
Texas A&M University, USA
Speaker to be confirmed
Mapping Copper Enzyme Defects in ATP7A-Spectrum Disorders
Nina Horn
Kennedy Center, Copenhagen (ret.), Denmark
The Andalusian Plan for Rare Diseases & Ontologies, Networks and Systems Biology
Javier Blasco & Juan A. García Ranea
H. Materno-Infantil Málaga / University of Málaga, Spain
Trace Elements and Disease: The Case of Manganese-Related Rare Disorders
Karin Tuschl
UCL – Great Ormond Street, United Kingdom
Neonatal Screening Without Available Biomarkers: Genomics as a Tool?
François Eyskens
MetaBern – University Hospital of Antwerp, Belgium
Rare Diseases in the Spanish Social Security System: Coverage, Gaps and the Road Ahead
César Hernández García
DG Social Security – Ministry of Health, Spain
NPP-Menkes Round Table
Elena Godoy · Francesc Palau · Vishal Gohil · Denis Broun · Aurora Mateos
Philanthropy Round Table
Chaired by Denis Broun — Yusuf Hamied Foundation & Misericordia Foundation
Pharma Round Table
Engrail Therapeutics & Cyprium Therapeutics — chaired by Rubén Varela
Every Day Counts: Families Living with Rare Copper Disorders
Chaired by Annalisa Scopinao (UNIAMO Italy): Family testimonials
Day 2 · Thursday, 18 September 2025
New Potential Therapies for Menkes Disease
François Feillet
CHRU Nancy / Université de Lorraine, France
Mammalian Copper Homeostasis in Health and Disease
Svetlana Lutsenko
Johns Hopkins University, USA
Imaging Copper Levels during Life in the Brain
Kay Double
University of Sydney, Australia
When Copper Goes Wrong: Copper and Mitochondrial Disorders
Shamima Rahman
Great Ormond Street / UCL, United Kingdom
ISCIII Initiatives in Rare Disease Research and the ERDERA Program
Eva Bermejo
Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
Co-Designing the Science We Need: EATRIS, REMEDi4ALL and Patient-Led Innovation
Anton Ussi
EATRIS-EU
Gene Therapy for Rare Diseases: Reshaping the Therapeutic Spectrum
Giuseppe Ronzitti & Federico Mingozzi
Genethon / Nava Therapeutics, France
Between Science and Story: Health Journalists as Allies for Rare Disease Patients
Astrid Viciano · Javier Tovar · Mapi Muñoz
German Health News / EFE / Hospital La Fe Valencia
Living with Loss: Families at the Heart of Rare Disease Research
Family testimonials — Angelli per la Vita & guest families
Pharmacological Inhibition of Copper-Exporting P1B-type ATPases
Mick Petris
University of Missouri, USA
03 / Speakers
Speaker biographies and photos will be added as confirmations are received. Status shown below: green = confirmed, copper = pending.
Day 1 · 17 September
Vishal Gohil
Dept. of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Texas A&M University
USA
Prachi Trivedi
Texas A&M University
USA
Nina Horn
Kennedy Center, Copenhagen (ret.)
Denmark
Javier Blasco
H. Materno-Infantil de Málaga
Spain
Juan A. García Ranea
University of Málaga
Spain
César Hernández García
DG Social Security – Ministry of Health
Spain
Karin Tuschl
UCL – Great Ormond Street
UK
François Eyskens
MetaBern – University Hospital of Antwerp
Belgium
Denis Broun
Chair, Philanthropy Round Table
Salwa Maalouf
Fundación Misericordia
Rubén Varela
Sacyl – Castilla y León
Spain
Day 2 · 18 September
François Feillet
CHRU Nancy / Université de Lorraine
France
Kay Double
University of Sydney
Australia
Shamima Rahman
Great Ormond Street / UCL
UK
Anton Ussi
EATRIS-EU
EU
Astrid Viciano
German Health News Review / TU Dortmund
Germany
Javier Tovar
EFE News Agency
Spain
Mapi Muñoz
Hospital La Fe – Valencia
Spain
Svetlana Lutsenko
Johns Hopkins University
USA
Eva Bermejo
Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Spain
Giuseppe Ronzitti
Genethon
France
Federico Mingozzi
Nava Therapeutics
Mick Petris
University of Missouri
USA
04 / Venue
Centre Pompidou Málaga
Málaga, Andalusia, Spain
The second MARCO conference returns to Málaga, hosted at the Centre Pompidou — one of the most distinctive cultural spaces in southern Spain, located in the heart of the city's revitalised waterfront. The venue provides world-class facilities for both scientific sessions and open dialogue, set in a city that has established itself as a hub for biomedical research and rare disease initiatives.
Dates
17–18 September 2025 (full days)
Language
English
Interpretation
Simultaneous interpretation — Pending
Livestream
Hybrid/streaming format — Pending
Dietary Needs
Please indicate upon registration
05 / Registration
Registration for MARCO II will open shortly. We welcome researchers, clinicians, patient families, patient organisations, health journalists, and all those with an interest in rare copper diseases.
[ Registration Details — Coming Soon ]
For enquiries: info@menkesinternational.com