SCALPEL Progress Meeting in Ljubljana Focuses on Collaboration and Next-Phase Planning

From 11–13 March 2026, the SCALPEL consortium convened in Ljubljana, Slovenia, for its annual progress meeting, hosted by partner Kemijski inštitut – National Institute of Chemistry.

Bringing together partners from across Europe, the meeting marked a key milestone to review progress from the project’s first year and to align on the next phase of research and development.

SCALPEL is working to advance a novel approach to cancer therapy, combining light-based technology with immunotherapy. By exploring light-activated click chemistry to precisely target cancer cells while supporting the body’s immune response, the project brings together complementary expertise across disciplines to address a complex challenge.

Within this context, the Ljubljana meeting focused not only on progress, but on how to move forward effectively.

Discussions were shaped by continuous exchange, open dialogue, and collective problem-solving. Rather than relying on a sequence of formal presentations, partners engaged directly with one another’s work questioning assumptions, refining approaches, and identifying shared priorities.

A dedicated session without slide presentations reinforced this approach. By creating space for focused discussion, the consortium was able to reflect more critically on its direction and ensure that upcoming activities are aligned, deliberate, and grounded in shared understanding.

This collaborative dynamic is central to the SCALPEL project’s approach. Advancing complex research requires not only technical expertise, but also the ability to integrate perspectives across disciplines and institutions.

As SCALPEL moves into its next phase, the outcomes of the Ljubljana meeting provide a clear and collective foundation for the work ahead.

Learn more about the SCALPEL project and how light meets precision with a click: www.scalpel-project.eu