Autoimmune Diseases: What Do We Know About Gender Differences

Autoimmune diseases represent a major health burden for women, who make up the clear majority of patients across many conditions. While the higher prevalence among women is well established, the underlying biological, hormonal and immunological mechanisms are still not fully understood. This meeting will explore current knowledge on autoimmune diseases as they affect women, with attention to factors that shape disease risk, symptom development and treatment outcomes.

The programme brings together perspectives from several autoimmune disease areas to highlight how women experience these conditions differently—both in diseases where women are disproportionately affected and in diseases where prevalence is similar but the disease manifests differently. Type 1 diabetes is one such example, where women are not more frequently affected, yet show distinct clinical patterns and outcomes compared to men.

Speakers will share recent insights into immune regulation, hormonal influences and genetic pathways that may help explain these sex-specific differences, as well as emerging research across the field. Discussions throughout the meeting will focus on how to strengthen knowledge, build collaboration and ensure that women’s health considerations are better integrated into research, clinical practice and innovation. The goal is to support earlier recognition, more tailored treatment strategies and improved outcomes for women living with autoimmune diseases.

Date: Tuesday, 17th March 2026
Time: 14:00 – 18:00
Venue: Malmö

Sign up  

Program

Speakers​​​​​

The deadline for registration is 13th March 2026

The MVA Women’s Health network
Joining the MVA Women’s Health Network is free of charge but is limited to Medicon Valley Alliance members. Non-member organizations and companies are welcome to attend one network event to evaluate the relevance of joining the network. For more information, please contact Katrine Brems Olsen at kbo@mva.org

Organised by