23-26th June 2026, Munich, Germany

Jos Runhaar (Erasmus MC) was invited to present PROBE’s vision for privacy-preserving, multi-modal OA research at the 20th International Workshop for Osteoarthritis Investigation (IWOAI). 

The PROBE consortium headed to IWOAI 2026 to share how federated data networks and AI-driven analytics can accelerate breakthroughs in osteoarthritis (OA) research, clinical trials, and patient care. In Session 3 on day 2, Jos Runhaar (Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam) presented PROBE’s innovative approach to overcoming the data silos, privacy concerns, and heterogeneity that have long hindered advances in OA treatment, and provided an update on the progress made in the project so far. 

Jos highlighted: 

  • PROBE’s federated infrastructure: How horizontal/vertical federation and transfer learning enable cross-institutional collaboration without compromising data ownership. 
  • Early milestones:
    • Kick-off meeting (Jan 2026): Consortium alignment on data harmonization, ontology, and governance. 
    • Scoping reviews: Consensus on patient-relevant outcomes (WP4) and biomarker validation (WP3). 
    • Advisory councils: Launch of Patients in Partnership, HCP, Privacy & Ethics, and Regulatory/HTA Councils. 
  • Expected outcomes:  
    • Predictive models for disease progression and treatment response (WP4). 
    • Novel trial designs (e.g., stratified interventions, virtual trials) (WP5). 
    • Shared decision-making tools for clinicians and patients (WP5). 
  • Collaboration opportunities: How IWOAI members can engage with PROBE’s open-science tools, datasets, and training. 

This session was a must for researchers looking to leverage PROBE’s federated network in OA studies, clinicians hoping to improve patient stratification, industry/pharma open to exploring collaboration opportunities for trial design and biomarker validation, and patients/advocates eager to understand how their voice is shaping PROBE’s patient-centred tools. 

Thanks to ISOAI for the invite to share PROBE’s mission and for the excellent organisation of this wonderful event!

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