Tokyo DMD & SMA
Peer-to-Peer Exchange 2026

Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan

Friday 13th – Saturday 14th November 2026

National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP)

An application has been made to the UEMS EACCME® for CME/CPD accreditation of this event

About the Programme

This comprehensive, non-promotional educational event is dedicated to the management of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Designed for senior neurologists and neuromuscular specialists, the two-day programme addresses the key clinical challenges across both conditions, from diagnosis and multidisciplinary management through to emerging therapies and the evolving standards of care.

The programme features keynote lectures from leading faculty, alongside interactive discussions, delegate case studies and practical insights into the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) approach to disease management.

Chaired by Professor Hirofumi Komaki, delegates will also meet the NCNP neuromuscular team and tour their rehabilitation, diagnostic and research facilities, observing first-hand how complex care pathways for patients with DMD and SMA are coordinated and delivered in practice.

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Expert Faculty

Learn from NCNP Tokyo's leading neuromuscular specialists

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Peer-to-Peer Exchange

Interactive discussions, delegate case studies & APAC perspectives

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Gene Therapy Focus

Practical application, safety monitoring & site readiness

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Facility Tours

Rehabilitation, diagnostic laboratory & research institute

Key Topics

The programme addresses critical areas across both DMD and SMA:

01

Meet the NCNP's Multidisciplinary Team

02

Research & exon-skipping development in Japan

03

Muscle pathology & motor function evaluation

04

Neuromuscular registries & Newborn Screening (NBS)

05

Rehabilitation & respiratory management

06

Updating the SMA Standards of Care

07

Cardiovascular management in DMD

08

DMD & SMA gene therapies

09

Transition from paediatric to adult care

Programme Chair

Professor Hirofumi Komaki, MD, PhD

Director, Department of Child Neurology – NCNP, Tokyo

Internationally recognised for his expertise in neuromuscular disorders — particularly DMD, SMA and congenital muscular dystrophies — Professor Komaki has played a key role in advancing their diagnosis, management and treatment in Japan and globally, contributing to innovative therapies through clinical trials and international collaborations.

Host Centre of Excellence

The National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP) is Japan's leading reference centre for neurological, psychiatric and neuromuscular disorders, and a major referral centre for rare neuromuscular diseases including DMD and SMA.

Its integrated model brings together child neurology, muscle pathology, rehabilitation, respiratory and cardiovascular care alongside the Remudy patient registry and a research institute active in nucleic acid therapeutics and gene therapy development.

Venue: NCNP, Kodaira, Tokyo

Programme Agenda

Day 1 – Friday, November 13th, 2026 Vision, Science & Practical Diagnostics

Chair: Professor Hirofumi Komaki

09:00 – 09:10

Opening Remarks

Prof. Hirofumi Komaki

09:10 – 09:30

Trajectory of Fukuyama Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Research & Development

Dr. Tatsushi Toda

09:30 – 10:20

Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Approach and Diagnostic Pathway for DMD/SMA in Japan

Prof. Hirofumi Komaki

10:20 – 10:50

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Journey of SMA and DMD in South Korea

Prof. Jong-Hee Chae (Korea)

10:50 – 11:10

BREAK

11:10 – 11:40

Remudy: A Clinical Research Infrastructure for Neuromuscular Diseases in Japan, Advancing Drug Development and International Collaboration

Dr. Harumasa Nakamura

11:40 – 12:10

Muscle Pathology in Neuromuscular Disorders: From Basics to the Latest Approaches

Dr. Ichizo Nishino

12:10 – 12:40

From Basic Research to Drug Discovery, Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, and Gene Therapy in DMD

Dr. Yoshitsugu Aoki

12:40 – 13:40

LUNCH

13:40 – 14:10

Rehabilitation Strategies for Neuromuscular Disorders

Dr. Takatoshi Hara

14:15 – 15:35

Facility Tour I & Hands-on: Rehabilitation [Group A/B Rotation]

Session 1: Rehabilitation Facility Tour (Rehab Center)

Dr. Takatoshi Hara (Lecture). Wakana Katsuta, PT and Ayaka Tsubouchi, PT (Demonstration assistants) Takeshi Matsuura, PT, Kyota Bando, PT, Keisuke Yorimoto, PT and Naoya Kotajima, OT

Session 2: “Key Points in DMD & SMA Motor Function Assessment: Hands-On Seminar”

Dr. Eri Takeshita (Speaker). Instructors: Hiroyuki Yajima, PT and Yuki Aihara, PT

15:35 – 15:50

BREAK & TRANSITION TO RESEARCH INSTITUTE

15:50 – 17:50

Facility Tour II: Laboratory & Research [Group A/B Rotation]

Neuromuscular Diagnostic Laboratory

Dr. Ichizo Nishino and Dr. Yoshihiko Saito

Neuromuscular Research and Molecular Therapy & Animal Facility Laboratories

Dr. Ichizo Nishino and Dr. Yoshitsugu Aoki

17:50 – 18:00

RETURN TO SEMINAR ROOM

18:00 – 18:10

Day 1 Wrap Up & Daily Reflection

Prof. Hirofumi Komaki

Day 2 – Saturday, November 14th, 2026 Advanced Care, Organ Management & Gene Therapy

Chair: Professor Hirofumi Komaki

09:00 – 09:30

The Frontline of Newborn Screening (NBS) and Early Intervention: Experience from Taiwan

Dr. Wen-Chin Weng (Taiwan)

09:30 – 10:00

Genetic Diagnosis of Dystrophinopathy: From Routine Testing to Unsolved Cases

Dr. Mariko Okubo

10:00 – 10:30

Interactive Discussion: Diagnostic Odyssey & Newborn Screening (NBS)

Dr. Mariko Okubo / Dr. Yin-Hsiu Chien (Taiwan) / Dr. Wen-Chin Weng (Taiwan)

10:30 – 10:45

BREAK

10:45 – 11:15

Cardiomyopathy in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Assessment and Milestones in Cardiovascular Management

Dr. Jiro Abe

11:15 – 11:45

Central Nervous System Involvement and Cognitive Care in DMD, and Emerging CNS Challenges in SMA

Dr. Yoshihiko Saito / Dr. Yuko Motohashi

11:45 – 12:15

Interactive Discussion: Multidisciplinary Care Experience – What Does Your MDT Look Like? What Works and What Doesn't?

Prof. Jong-Hee Chae (Korea) / Dr. Yuko Motohashi

12:15 – 13:15

LUNCH

13:15 – 14:40

Respiratory Management and Rehabilitation for Non-ambulant Patients

Dr. Yuka Ishikawa / Toshihiko Miura, PT

14:40 – 15:10

Practical Application, Comprehensive Safety Monitoring, and Implementation of DMD/SMA Gene Therapy: Experiences from Japan and South Korea

Dr. Yuko Motohashi / Prof. Jong-Hee Chae (Korea)

15:10 – 15:40

Interactive Discussion: Site Readiness for Gene Therapy – What Is Currently Possible in Your Hospital?

Dr. Yuko Motohashi / Prof. Hirofumi Komaki

15:40 – 16:00

BREAK

16:00 – 17:30

Real World Clinical Dilemmas: Exploring “Gray Areas” without Established Evidence

Delegate Case Studies

Prof. Hirofumi Komaki / Dr. Yuko Motohashi / APAC delegate [TBC]

17:30 – 17:45

Closing Remarks & Certificate Presentation

Prof. Hirofumi Komaki

Register Now

Spaces are limited for this Peer-to-Peer Exchange.
Please register using the link below:

Register for the Event

This meeting is organised by Pi Healthcare

Venue: National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP) | Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan