On 18 October 2024, the ASEAN Liver Research Initiative (ALRI) held its inaugural meeting in Manila, hosted by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST)/ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) of the Philippines in collaboration with the Italian Liver Foundation, supported by the ASEAN Secretariat. Experts from across ASEAN gathered to address critical liver health challenges, including Hepatitis B and liver cancer, through collaborative research and innovation. This event supports ALRI’s mission to reduce the burden of liver diseases in Southeast Asia.
Aligned with the ASEAN Network for Drugs, Diagnostics, Vaccines and Traditional Medicines Innovation (ASEAN-NDI) framework of the ASEAN Sub-committee of Biotechnology, the meeting emphasised research priorities, regional funding opportunities and collective solutions for liver health. Key discussions included hepatitis prevention and the integration of Artificial Intelligence driven healthcare solutions. ALRI is committed to fostering collaboration, with a focus on capacity building, data sharing and advancing liver health research across the region.
