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From 23 - 25 October 2023, the 17th Medical Biodefense Conference (MBDC) was held in Munich. Organised by the Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, the MBDC has developed over the years into the world’s leading conference on global challenges posed by dangerous biological agents and biotoxins as well as rapid developments in the life sciences and (bio)technology.

Over 450 participants from 50 countries attended the event. Government officials, scientists, health and security experts along with representatives from the private sector discussed new developments in diagnostic technologies, therapeutic approaches, surveillance, medical countermeasures, reconnaissance and bioforensics as well as outbreak investigation and management. The programme included more than 70 oral and 130 poster presentations. In addition, expert meetings of NATO Working Groups on biosecurity topics were held in the run-up to the conference.

One MBDC session was dedicated to international collaborations within the German Biosecurity Programme. Launched by the German Federal Foreign Office in 2013, this programme contributes to Germany’s commitment to the implementation of Article X of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and to the goals of the G7 Global Partnership against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction.

The 19th Medical Biodefense Conference will take place in Munich in 2025.