Liver Breakfast Symposium 7:30 - 8:30 am

A New Era of PPAR Agonists: Redefining PBC Management

Presented by

Gilead Sciences Canada Inc.

SPEAKER: Dr. Gideon Hirschfield

Liver Lunch Symposium 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

MASH Uncovered: Early Recognition, Diagnostic Tools, and Emerging Therapies

Presented by

Novo Nordisk Canada Inc.

SPEAKERS: Dr. Alnoor Ramji, Dr. Daljeet Chahal, Dr. Ellina Lytvyak

GI/IBD Lunch Symposium 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

The Evolution of Infliximab in IBD for 2026 and Beyond - Therapeutic Evidence of Subcutaneous Infliximab in the Treatment of IBD

Presented by

Celltrion Healthcare

SPEAKER: Dr. Matthew Smyth, MD, FRCPC Pediatric Gastroenterologist Inflammatory Bowel Disease/Young Adult IBD Intestinal Ultrasound

Dr. Smyth is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. He completed his Pediatric Gastroenterology training at UBC before pursuing an advanced fellowship in Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York focusing on young adults with IBD. While there, in addition to specializing in management of refractory and complex IBD, he developed an expertise in intestinal ultrasound in IBD – a fast, accurate, and non-invasive way to monitor disease. He currently splits his time between the IBD Centre of BC and BC Children’s Hospital, where he leads intestinal ultrasound programs at both sites, and co-leads the young adult IBD clinic. Dr. Smyth’s research focuses on advanced therapies in IBD and evaluating treatment efficacy through intestinal ultrasound.

GI/IBD Breakfast Symposium 7:30 - 8:30 am

Optimal Targets in UC: Pathways to Disease Clearance

Presented by

Takeda Canada

SPEAKER: Dr. Brian Bressler

Liver Breakfast Symposium 7:30 - 8:30 am

Your Role in Optimizing Immunization in GI Patients At Increased Risk

Presented by

GSK Canada

Moderator: Dr. Nancy Fu, Gastroenterologist, Richmond General Hospital

SPEAKER: Dr. Wayne Ghesquiere, Infectious Disease Specialist, Island Health Authority

Wayne Ghesquiere MD, FRCP(C) Victoria, BC, Canada Dr. Wayne Ghesquiere is a Clinical Infectious Diseases, Tropical Diseases and Internal Medicine consultant in Victoria, BC as well as the former section chief for infectious diseases with the Vancouver Island Health Authority in Victoria, BC, Canada. Wayne is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine with the University of British Columbia. He teaches medical students and residents. He is an attending physician at the Royal Jubilee and the Victoria General Hospitals in Victoria. He has an inpatient and outpatient practice in infectious diseases. Wayne is the chair, organizer and presenter at the annual Infectious Diseases Update in Victoria now in it’s 27th year. Wayne is the medical director of the Nova Travel Medicine and Immunization Clinic. He served as the Co-Site Director of GeoSentinel surveillance (BC) which is a joint project of the International Society of Travel Medicine & Centres for Diseases Control. Current areas of interests include clinical research in Hepatitis B & C antiviral therapy, new vaccines, teaching and presenting. Recent publications in peer reviewed journals include the New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases, CMAJ, Gut, Hepatology and Open Medicine.

GI/IBD Lunch Symposium 11:35 am - 12:15 pm | British Ballroom

Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Crohn's Disease: Personalized Treatment Strategies for Optimal Outcomes

The treatment landscape of Crohn's Disease is rapidly evolving, becoming increasingly complex and challenging for healthcare professionals who treat IBD. As new therapies emerge the importance of precise sequencing of treatment options cannot be overstated. This learning program will define the primary goals of therapy in Crohn’s Disease, emphasizing the significance of identifying patient-specific factors that influence the likelihood of treatment success. Participants will explore strategies to optimize medical options, tailoring therapies to meet individual patient needs and improve clinical outcomes. Learning Objectives: After this program, the participants will be able to: Describe the goal of treatment therapy for your Crohn's Disease patients. Analyze patient specific characteristics and factors that may influence the level of treatment success achieved by your patients. Choose the appropriate medical treatment option to help achieve the highest level of treatment success.

Presented by

J&J Innovative Medicine

SPEAKER: Dr. Brian Bressler, MD, MSc, FRCPC Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, University of British Columbia

Dr. Bressler is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Bressler is a Staff Gastroenterologist at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, Canada. Dr. Bressler is the Director of the Advanced IBD training program at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Bressler is a recognized expert in inflammatory bowel disease.

GI/IBD Lunch Symposium 12:15 pm - 12:55 pm

JAK inhibitors and IL-23s in 2025

Presented by

AbbVie Corporation

SPEAKER: Dr. Brian Bressler, IBD Centre of BC

Dr. Brian Bressler MD, MS,FRCPC Head, Division of Gastroenterology, Providence Health Care, University of British Columbia Lead Physician, GI Clinic, Surgical Program, Providence Health Care Founder, The IBD Centre of BC Director, Advanced IBD Training Program, University of British Columbia Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, University of British Columbia