About the masterclass
The IBD Masterclass is the Saudi Gastroenterology Association's dedicated meeting on inflammatory bowel disease. The 2026 edition takes place at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC on 11–12 September 2026 and brings together international and regional IBD experts, gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, IBD nurses, dietitians and trainees — around 400 delegates across two intensive days.
The format mixes focused lectures, tandem talks and case-based panel discussions, so each therapeutic question is examined from both the medical and surgical side. The meeting is accredited for 20 CME hours.
Learning objectives
- Position anti-TNFs, IL-12/23 and IL-23 selective agents, JAK inhibitors and biosimilars within a 2026 treatment algorithm
- Apply strategic, evidence-based therapy selection tailored to the individual patient
- Manage complex scenarios: strictures, functional overlap, IBD mimickers and upper GI Crohn's disease
- Integrate nutritional therapy and multidisciplinary IBD care into routine practice
- Optimise care in special populations — pregnancy, transition from paediatric to adult services, treatment failure
- Design and interpret clinical trials and real-world IBD research in the Middle East
- Use intestinal ultrasound (IUS) at the point of care
Programme at a glance
Day 1 — Friday 11 September. Advanced therapies open the meeting: anti-TNF therapy in 2026, navigating the IL-12/23 and IL-23 pathways, selective versus non-selective JAK inhibition, and biosimilars as replacement or complementary strategy. Session 2 moves to strategy and complexity — Prof. Peter Irving on personalised therapeutic selection, a tandem talk on stricture management (surgery, endoscopy or optimised medical therapy), a case-based panel on integrating nutritional therapy led by Dr. Lisa Sharkey, and an evening panel on diagnostic dilemmas and IBD mimickers.
Day 2 — Saturday 12 September. Clinical trials in 2026, managing the patient failing treatment, IBD MDT and surgical joint clinics, and transition of youth to adult care. The afternoon covers functional overlap in IBD, real-world Middle East research with Prof. Mahmoud Mosli and Dr. Mohammad Shehab, a state-of-the-art lecture from Prof. Peter Irving, an intestinal ultrasound talk, and closing panels on IBD in pregnancy and upper GI Crohn's disease.
Faculty and committees
International faculty include Prof. Peter Irving (Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust), Prof. Ala' Sharara (AUBMC, Beirut), Dr. Lisa Sharkey (Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge), Dr. Nabbel Quraishi (Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham), Dr. Mohammad Shehab (Haya Alhabib GI Center, Kuwait) and Dr. Ahmed Al Fadhli (Kuwait). The organising committee is chaired by Prof. Nahla Azzam, Dr. Othman Al Harbi, Prof. Mahmoud Mosli and Prof. Majid Al Madi, with a scientific committee of Dr. Eman Al Sulais, Dr. Turki Al Ameel and Dr. Badr Al Bawardy.
The full programme is available as a downloadable PDF from the official conference page.
