Canadian Rare Disease Network

Child Health and Wellness Seminar: The Evolution of Medical AI: Progress, Potential, and Responsibility
2025-12-01 08:30 - 09:30 (America/Edmonton)
The Evolution of Medical AI: Progress, Potential, and Responsibility Speaker: Dr. Eman Rezk, PhD NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo Host: Dr. Mohamed Eltorki, MD, FRCPC Associate Professor, University of Calgary

Introduction to the Disability Tax Credit
2025-12-02 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Toronto)
A presentation about the gateway tax credit and the benefits it unlocks:

Learn how the credit works and who qualifies
Learn how the credit unlocks other federal benefits
Discover practical tips for your application

Can-Child Webinar: F-words Foundations Workshop
2025-12-04 09:30 - 12:30 (America/Toronto)
Interactive 3-hour F-words Foundations Workshop to explore how to bring the F-words for Child Development—Functioning, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends, and Future—into everyday practice and life!

STAGE International Speaker Seminar Series (ISSS)-Laura Arbour
2025-12-05 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Edmonton)
Reducing Genetic and Genomic Health Disparities for Indigenous People of Canada: Insights from the Silent Genomes Project

Webinar: 'The importance of genetic counselling in the diagnostic of rare neurological disorders' by Maria Judit Molnar
2025-12-09 07:00 - 09:00 (America/Edmonton)
Educational webinars on rare neurological, neuromuscular and movement disorders jointly organized by the European Reference Networks for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND) and Neuromuscular Diseases (ERN-EuroNMD) and the European Academy of Neurology (EAN).

Modeling the disease to better fight it: a new approach to heart enlargement associated with RASopathies
2025-12-10 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Edmonton)
Full title: Modeling the disease to better fight it: a new approach to heart enlargement associated with RASopathies
Episode 3 of the RQMO – RARE webinar series. QC presented by Anais Medouni, PhD student in Anatomy and Cell Biology in the laboratory of Dr. Gregor Andelfinger, CHU Sainte Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal
Moderator: Jonathan Pratt, Executive Director of the RQMO

Every Relapse Matters: The Evolving NMOSD & MOGAD Treatment Landscape in Canada
2025-12-11 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Edmonton)
The Sumaira Foundation Canada is pleased to invite you to an important educational webinar on Thursday, December 11th at 7:30 PM EST. This session will explore the evolving treatment options for individuals living with AQP4+ NMOSD, seronegative NMOSD, and MOGAD in Canada.

Canadian Fragile X Research Rounds: Protein Replacement Therapy for Fragile X Syndrome
2025-12-12 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Edmonton)

ERDERA: Joint Transnational Call 2026
2025-12-16 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Edmonton)
This information webinar on the 2026 Joint Transnational Call for Proposals is scheduled for 16 December 2025, 15:00–17:00 CET, focusing on resolving unsolved rare genetic and non‑genetic diseases.

Webinar: Lymphodepletion for CAR-T/IEC Outcomes
2025-12-17 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Toronto)
Achieving consistent and effective outcomes in CAR T and other immune effector cell (IEC) therapies relies heavily on getting lymphodepletion “right.” Emerging evidence shows that both under- and over-exposure can impact safety, efficacy, and long-term persistence, making optimized dosing strategies increasingly critical as the field evolves.
This webinar will explore how model-informed and data-driven approaches can help identify the optimal lymphodepletion exposure window, improve predictability, and support more standardized practices across patient populations and treatment centers. Speakers will discuss current challenges, scientific rationale, clinical insights, and practical considerations for implementation.

CMT episode 1: Challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of inherited neuropathies
2026-01-08 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Edmonton)
Delivered by Dr. Davide Pareyson (Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C.Besta (FINCB), Milan, Italy) & Dr. Filippo Genovese (The European Charcot-Marie-Tooth Federation & ACMT-Rete per la malattia di Charcot-Marie-Tooth OdV), Thu 08 Jan 2026 at 16:00 Paris Time This is a EURO-NMD webinar in collaboration with ERN-RND (rare neurological disorders) and European Academy of Neurology.

RealiseD Webinar 1: Realising Clinical trials in Ultra-Rare diseases
2026-01-13 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Edmonton)
Join RealiseD’s first webinar to learn how RealiseD is pioneering a collaborative and comprehensive approach to clinical trials in ultra-rare diseases. During the webinar, they’ll walk you through the project’s objectives, structure, and methodologies—and show how you can be part of this transformative journey.

CanPKU+: Advocacy in Action Update Sessions
2026-01-14 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Edmonton)
Join the Advocacy in Action Update Sessions with John Adams in order to hear updates on various campaigns and what needs to be done to move things forward for the PKU community.

Rare Disease Internation-Moving the WHA Resolution on Rare Diseases Forward: From Promise to Action
2026-01-15 05:30 - 06:30 (America/Edmonton)
Join RDI for this public webinar where they will discuss the current status of the WHA Resolution implementation, as they approach the World Health Organization Executive Board meeting taking place in February 2026. This webinar will engage in a multistakeholder dialogue focusing on the necessary path forward to accelerate the implementation of the Resolution and importantly the development of the GAPRD.

CMT episode 2: Progress in genetic diagnosis for neuropathies
2026-01-15 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Edmonton)
Delivered by Dr. Andrea Cortese (University College London, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UK), Thu 15 Jan 2026 at 16:00 Paris Time This is a EURO-NMD webinar in collaboration with ERN-RND (rare neurological disorders) and European Academy of Neurology.

When Nutrient Sensing Goes Wrong: How Metabolic Signals Can Drive Epilepsy and Autism
2026-01-15 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Edmonton)
4e épisode de la série de webinaires en collaboration avec Rare.qc et le RQMO.
Titre complet : When Nutrient Sensing Goes Wrong: How Metabolic Signals Can Drive Epilepsy and Autism
Paul A. Dutchak, Ph.D is an Associate Professor at Université Laval and Principal Investigator at the CERVO Brain Research Centre (Québec, Canada). His laboratory studies how genetic mutations in the GATOR1 amino acid–sensing complex drive epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders through disruptions in cellular signaling, neurometabolism, and brain excitability. His group has developed a first-in-class antisense oligonucleotide therapeutic targeting this pathway, with strong preclinical efficacy in genetic epilepsies. His research program is currently supported by the Canadian Institute of Health Research.
Moderator : Jonathan Pratt, Executive director of the RQMO

ULF Webinar: The Guardianship Transition: Minor Child to Legal Adult
2026-01-18 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Toronto)
Catherine (Catie) Becker is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Catie received her master’s degree in Pediatric Acute/Chronic Advanced Practice Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. She has worked in the MGH Leukodystrophy clinic since 2011, working with a multidisciplinary team caring for both pediatric and adult patients with leukodystrophy.

Knowledge Sharing Sessions – Feasibility of a Home-Based Exergaming Intervention for Youth With Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
2026-01-19 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Toronto)
Dr. Geoff Frost will be leading NMD4C’s first Physiatrist Community of Practice (CoP) Knowledge Sharing Session. He will present a recent article authored by Iraqi et al. on a work conducted in Canada by fellow NMD4C members: “Feasibility of a Home-Based Exergaming Intervention for Youth With Spinal Muscular Atrophy.”
The session will take place on January 19th, 2026 at 7:00 PM EST. To register, please contact CoP manager Maria Masnata. Once registered, Maria will send a calendar invite so you can easily save the date. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

RealiseD Webinar 2: Evidence Assessment Framework. A need to change mindset from developers, regulators and HTA
2026-01-20 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Edmonton)
The second webinar turns the spotlight on one of the most critical issues in rare disease research: the generation and assessment of evidence. François Meyer, a leading consultant in health technology assessment, will examine why current frameworks often fail to deliver predictable and aligned outcomes, resulting in delays and inequalities in patient access. The session will explore the global and European initiatives aimed at addressing these shortcomings and present the RealiseD consortium’s efforts to advance scientific and operational solutions. More importantly, it will advocate for a fundamental shift in mindset—one that embraces flexibility and innovation in the way evidence is generated, interpreted, and assessed.

CMT episode 3: Bioarkers and outcome measures for clinical trial readiness in CMT
2026-01-22 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Edmonton)
Delivered by Prof. Mary Reilly (University College London, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UK), Thu 22 Jan 2026 at 17:00 Paris Time This is a EURO-NMD webinar in collaboration with ERN-RND (rare neurological disorders) and European Academy of Neurology.

ERN-EuroBloodNet-Session 1: Strong at Any Age – Redefining Frailty Together
2026-01-22 17:30 - 18:30 (Europe/Belgrade)
EuroBloodNet Topic on Focus: Ageing with a Bleeding Disorder”!
This educational program is coordinated by ERN-EuroBloodNet together with the umbrella patient organisation EHC – European Haemophilia Consortium, represented by ePAG advocate Marius Tanase.

CATALIS-Clinical Research 101: Webinar 1
2026-01-22 18:00 - 18:30 (America/Toronto)
Webinar 1 on January 22, 2026 from 6 pm to 6:30 pm

Healthy Living and Aortopathy
2026-01-22 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Toronto)
Save the date for your upcoming webinar with Dr. Nathaniel Moulson, focused on exercise. This webinar will take place on January 22, 2026 at 7:00pm, registration details to be released in the coming weeks.

PiPER Community of Practice for 2026
2026-01-28 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto)
Save the date on *January 28th 2026* from 12-1 pm for a dynamic session titled “Lessons Learned by a Research Team New to Engaging PLEX in Randomized Controlled Trials ”.

Canada's Drug Agency-Preconsultation Webinar: Improvements to the Drug Reimbursement Review Process
2026-01-28 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Toronto)
Join CDA’s preconsultation webinar on proposed improvements and upcoming procedural changes to our drug reimbursement review process.
You will hear from their senior leaders how these plans will advance our efforts to modernize and streamline drug reimbursement reviews.

CMT episode 4: Current Progress in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) Treatments
2026-01-29 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Edmonton)
Delivered by Prof. Kleopas Kleopa (Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING), Thu 29 Jan 2026 at 16:00 Paris Time This is a EURO-NMD webinar in collaboration with ERN-RND (rare neurological disorders) and European Academy of Neurology.

CATALIS-Clinical Research 101: Webinar 2
2026-01-29 18:00 - 18:30 (America/Toronto)
Webinar 2 on January 29, 2026 from 6 pm to 6:30 pm

Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario (SCAGO) Learning for Life - Clinical Trials 101 What Every Patient Should Know Before Enrolling
2026-01-31 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Edmonton)
Considering a clinical trial? Join SCAGO for an informative virtual session designed to help patients and caregivers understand the process, benefits, and important considerations before enrolling.

RQMO: 1st Zebinary of the Month of Zebra 2026
2026-02-03 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Edmonton)
1st Zebra of the Month of Zebrier 2026 of the RQMO
Speakers:
– Dr. Roberta, La Piana, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University
– Dr. Thomas Durcan, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University

RealiseD Webinar 3: Single arm, RCT or something in between – how to enrich clinical trial design and analysis in rare diseases
2026-02-03 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Edmonton)
Single-arm trials remain a cornerstone of rare disease research, but their limitations and complexities cannot be ignored. In the third webinar, experts Yulia Dyachkova (Merck Healthcare), Jenny Devenport (Roche), Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf (Novartis) abd Guillaume Canaud will lead a deep dive into the evolving role of SATs in drug development. The discussion will cover regulatory and HTA perspectives, review case studies of success and failure, and explore advanced statistical methods designed to optimise trial design. This session is not just about understanding the current landscape—it is about shaping the future of evidence generation for rare and ultra-rare diseases.
