On 3-4 September 2026, members of Working Group 2 (WG2) and Working Group 4 (WG4) met in Tbilisi, Georgia, for a two-day joint meeting focused on current scientific activities and future translational initiatives within SIGMA-1 EUROPE.
One of the main topics was the development of a new literature database covering more than 2,700 publications on Sigma-1 and Sigma-2 receptors. The meeting provided an opportunity to review the current version of the database, discuss further improvements, and define next steps to make it a useful resource for the Sigma-1 research community.
Another major part of the programme was dedicated to three collaborative reviews on the role of the Sigma-1 receptor in cancer, cardiovascular disease, and fibrosis, inflammation and the immune system. Roundtable sessions were used to define the scope of the reviews and organize the contributor teams.
The joint meeting also focused on the translational potential of Sigma-1 research. WG2 and WG4 discussed preparing a shared position paper and a practical characterization matrix covering key pharmacological, toxicological, and pharmacokinetic aspects relevant to further development. The groups also discussed the development of resources related to contract research organizations, intellectual property, and patent expertise.
The meeting also advanced preparations for the 2027 SIGMA-1 EUROPE Training School in Budapest. The two days in Tbilisi helped define several concrete priorities for WG2 and WG4 and set the direction for the next stage of their collaborative work.
