The year was 2024 and marked the third annual meeting of INTEC and the inaugural meeting of ISSEC. Both were originally established to address the pressing need for scientific forums dedicated to soft tissue ectopic calcification. From the outset, these meetings stood out for their high scientific caliber and welcoming, interactive atmosphere. However, as the field continued to grow, concerns emerged that it was becoming too fragmented, with numerous small, separate meetings. In addition to INTEC and ISSEC, ectopic calcification was also discussed at the BBC (Basic Research in Bone and Cardiovascular Biology) meeting, as well as more specialized gatherings like iSCCa (International Symposium on Cardiovascular Calcification) and the Budapest Meeting on Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum.

Recognizing the benefits of uniting these efforts, INTEC and ISSEC began exploring the idea of a larger, consolidated meeting. We found enthusiastic collaborators in the BBC, iSCCa, and PXE Budapest communities, who shared our vision. The outcome is the first Joint Ectopic Calcification Meeting—an initiative we hope will grow into a flagship event for the field. Our goal is to create a dynamic platform that not only showcases innovation and scientific progress but also fosters collaboration across disciplines in this exciting and rapidly evolving area of research. 

Olivier Vanakker – INTEC Coordinator
Hervé Kempf – ISSEC President
The members of the Scientific Committee