To advance research and care for patients with thoracic diseases, the fields of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine require injections of innovation and the funding to support them.

The American Thoracic Society will unite the innovators, investors, clinicians, and advocacy groups who are leading the charge to create powerful new treatments for deadly and crippling diseases of the lungs and airways during the 2026 Respiratory Innovation Summit (RIS). The pre-conference event will be held from noon–8 p.m. on Friday, May 15, and from 7 a.m.–6 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, inside the Hyatt Regency Orlando (9801 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819).

The RIS historically attracts 400+ global leaders representing all facets of the respiratory industry, including start-ups, business development, venture capital, government, academia, and clinical medicine. Those interested in applying to be featured at the event can do so on the conference website.

Many participants return year after year, such as Vitalograph Chief Science and Strategy Officer Helen Venn.

“For Vitalograph, the event is invaluable,” Ms. Venn said. “It offers insights into emerging therapies and technologies that help shape our product development strategy and ensure our diagnostic and monitoring solutions continue to meet the evolving needs of both research and clinical users. It’s also an opportunity to share our own innovations, gather feedback, and engage in discussions that help refine our future direction.”

Vicore Pharma CEO Ahmed Mousa also described the value of attending the event for his organization. 

“For us, it was an efficient way to build meaningful connections and elevate awareness of our lead program in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,” explained Mousa. “Beyond visibility, the meeting provided an opportunity to hear about novel technologies and approaches across different respiratory indications, and to interact with a dynamic mix of experts. In addition to biotech, pharma, and investor presence, the Summit has included representation from the FDA, which added important regulatory insights.”

All companies innovating in pulmonary, critical care, or sleep are encouraged to apply. All applications will be reviewed. The agenda also includes a venture capital panel, a business development panel, and plenty of time for networking.

“The talks and panel discussions are full of valuable insights, but the real strength of the event lies in the people you meet,” said Ms. Venn. “The RIS creates the space to connect directly with the minds behind cutting‑edge ideas, fostering conversations that often spark new thinking long after the event ends. Each time I’ve attended, I’ve left with pages of notes, many of them inspired simply by being surrounded by such forward‑thinking leaders in respiratory health.”

Among the featured companies, a maximum of 35 will be selected to deliver oral presentations to all RIS attendees. Last year, the event featured 80 participating organizations.

The 2026 RIS will begin with a networking reception and keynote address on Friday, followed by a full day of programming on Saturday, including continental breakfast, lunch, and a closing reception.

“Whether you are advancing a new therapy or seeking strategic insights, the environment is energizing and highly relevant,” Mousa said.

Registration for the RIS and the ATS 2026 International Conference is processed in the same system, but signing up for one event does not include or require registration for the other. RIS attendees are encouraged to utilize the hotel blocks offered during ATS 2026 and to engage with the larger ATS community in Orlando.

The RIS is a non-CME program.

For questions or to learn more, please email Dustin Bell, manager of ATS Industry Operations and Fulfillment, at [email protected].

The ATS thanks United Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Genentech USA, GSK, AstraZeneca, Insmed, Lovelace Biomedical, Vicore Pharma, 4D Medical, and Catalent Pharma Solutions for their generous support of the ATS 2026 Respiratory Innovation Summit.