HOPS 2026 to accelerate adoption of advanced cancer therapies in Dubai with new clinical focus
The Hematology‑Oncology Pharmacy Summit (HOPS) will return to Dubai on 16–17 January 2026, promising a more ambitious, clinically focused agenda that organisers say will accelerate the adoption of advanced cancer pharmacotherapies across the Gulf. According to the original report, the second annual meeting at Conrad Dubai is built around sessions on CAR‑T and other cellular therapies, gene therapy, bispecific antibodies, precision hematology and pharmacy‑driven supportive care, and is expected to draw more than 400 attendees and 50+ speakers.
Organisers frame HOPS 2026 as part of a regional push to translate scientific breakthroughs into routine practice. “We are entering a new era in cancer care, one defined not only by scientific breakthroughs, but by the leaders who know how to translate innovation into meaningful outcomes for patients,” said Sana Alblooshi, Summit Chairperson, in the event announcement. The summit’s stated aim is to equip pharmacists, clinicians, and allied professionals with the operational skills and regulatory know‑how needed to deliver advanced therapies safely and at scale.
The event’s Scientific Committee, described on the official site as comprising regional and international leaders in hematology, oncology pharmacy, and clinical research, is said to underpin a programme “grounded in scientific rigor and clinical relevance.” Industry and academic speakers will address both therapeutic innovation and the systems challenges that accompany it, from cold‑chain and aseptic compounding for personalised cellular products to pharmacy workflows for bispecifics and antibody‑drug conjugates.
HOPS is positioning itself within a busy 2026 oncology education calendar in the UAE and internationally. Other scheduled meetings include the Global Oncology Summit in Dubai in March, the ISOPP 24‑hour virtual symposium in March, and the Canadian Association of Pharmacy in Oncology (CAPhO) conference in April, each of which features sessions on ADCs, BiTEs, and other next‑generation agents. Organisers say this concentration of events reflects both rising demand for specialist pharmacy training and a global trend toward multidisciplinary, practice‑oriented learning.
For practitioners seeking to present work, HOPS is inviting abstracts for e‑poster presentations, with an abstract submission deadline of 16 December 2025 and notifications due shortly thereafter. Early‑bird registration is available until 20 December 2025, according to the summit website; the organisers encourage participation from oncology pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, nurses, residents, academics, regulators, and industry representatives.
While the organisers emphasise education and collaboration, the summit also highlights industry engagement and networking as core objectives. According to the announcement, the two‑day format will combine scientific presentations, workshops, and opportunities for vendors and advocacy organisations to engage directly with practicing pharmacists, a model increasingly common among specialist medical conferences as they seek to accelerate translation from evidence to clinical pathways.
HOPS positions itself as a regional forum for raising standards of oncology pharmacy practice and building a sustainable ecosystem for advanced therapies. Industry data and other conferences in the region suggest demand for such targeted, operationally minded education is rising as health systems prepare to deliver cell and gene‑based treatments; whether HOPS 2026 will set a lasting benchmark will depend on the quality of case‑based content, demonstrable practice improvements, and continued multidisciplinary engagement.