Life Sciences Worldwide – Global Perspectives and Networking for International Professionals¹

Gerhard Litscher ^*

1. Swiss University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, High-Tech Acupuncture and Digital Chinese Medicine, Bad Zurzach, Switzerland; President of the International Society for Medical Laser Applications (ISLA transcontinental; since 2012), German Vice President of the German-Chinese Research Foundation (DCFG) for TCM (since 2014), Vice Chairperson, World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, Committee of Card. Rehab. (2023-2028), Honorary President of the European Federation of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Societies, Honorary President of the American Society for Laser Acupuncture Therapy (ASLAT); Honorary Professor of China Beijing International Acupuncture Training Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Former Head of two Research Units and the TCM Research Center at the Medical University of Graz, Austria, Europe

* Correspondence: Gerhard Litscher

Received: October 15, 2025 | Accepted: October 16, 2025 | Published: October 16, 2025

OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine 2025, Volume 10, Issue 4, doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2504044

Recommended citation: Litscher G. Life Sciences Worldwide – Global Perspectives and Networking for International Professionals¹. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine 2025; 10(4): 044; doi:10.21926/obm.icm.2504044.

© 2025 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the conditions of the Creative Commons by Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is correctly cited.

¹Including access to Prof. Gerhard Litscher’s keynote presentation (PPT): https://www.lidsen.com/journals/icm/icm-10-04-044/obm.icm.2504044-supplementary.pdf.

Date: October 15-17, 2025

Location: Nice, France

Organizers: The conference is hosted by the World High Technology Society, operated by BIT Group Global Ltd., and the Shenzhen Center for International Exchange of Personnel, and is efficiently supported by the China Association for International Exchange of Personnel, the International Society for Medical Laser Applications, and the American Society of Laser Acupuncture Therapy.

Theme: “Thematic Event in Life Science”

Moderator, Opening Ceremony & Welcome Banquet: Gerhard Litscher

1. Introduction

On October 15, 2025, the city of Nice, France, became the international stage for the opening of the International Exchange of Professionals – Thematic Event in Life Science. This gathering marked the beginning of a five-part world congress series aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation in the life sciences (Figure 1).

Figure 1 International Exchange of Professionals – Life Science Event, held on October 15-17, 2025, in Nice, France.

Hosted by the World High Technology Society, operated by BIT Group Global Ltd. and the Shenzhen Center for International Exchange of Personnel, and supported by several scientific and medical associations like the International Society for Medical Laser Applications (ISLA) and the American Society of Laser Acupuncture Therapy (ASLAT), the event drew a diverse audience of over 150 professionals from more than 35 countries. The interdisciplinary nature of the conference — ranging from oncology and neurology to regenerative medicine and traditional therapies — reflected the global urgency for integrative biomedical progress.

2. Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony, moderated by the author of this editorial, set a tone of clarity, inspiration, and shared responsibility (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Opening Ceremony of the International Exchange of Professionals – Life Science Event, held on October 15, 2025, in Nice, France.

The first welcome speech was given by Dr. Ravi Jasuja (USA), Co-founder of Xyone Therapeutics and Director of Translational Research at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He emphasized that life science is not only a field of knowledge but also a platform for dialogue, trust, and ethical leadership in an increasingly connected world (Figure 3).

Figure 3 Dr. Ravi Jasuja (Harvard Medical School) delivering the first keynote address, emphasizing ethical leadership and global collaboration in life sciences.

This was followed by an impactful speech by Dr. Xiaodan Mei (China), President of BIT Group Global and Executive Chairman of the conference. He highlighted the strategic vision of the congress as a launchpad for cross-border collaboration, knowledge dissemination, and solutions for global health challenges (Figure 4).

Figure 4 Dr. Xiaodan Mei (left) welcoming delegates and outlining the strategic vision of the global congress series. Prof. Gerhard Litscher (right), moderator and keynote speaker of the Opening Ceremony and the Keynote Forum.

3. Keynote Forum

The Keynote Forum offered a deep dive into current breakthroughs and emerging technologies across several biomedical domains. Six distinguished experts presented original research and clinical insights:

• Prof. Dr. Robert S. Kass (USA):

Ion Channel Mutations Underlie Congenital Deafness and Cardiac Arrhythmias

Presented the use of patient-specific iPSC models for understanding and targeting genetic diseases of the heart and auditory system [1].

• Dr. Bruno Wacogne (France):

White Light Spectroscopy for CAR-T Cell Production

Demonstrated how optical technologies can improve quality assurance in immunotherapy manufacturing, bridging classical physics with cutting-edge biotechnology [2].

• Prof. Dr.Dr.Dr.h.c.TCM Gerhard Litscher (Switzerland):

Neuromodulation and Intelligent Monitoring in Acupuncture Research

Explored how AI-based sensors and neuroimaging are modernizing the study of acupuncture, enabling quantifiable integration with mainstream medicine [3] (Figure 5).

• Prof. Dr. Toru Kondo (Japan):

EVA1-Antibody Drug Conjugate Against Glioblastoma-Initiating Cells

Introduced a targeted therapy capable of eradicating glioblastoma stem-like cells, representing a potential turning point in neuro-oncology [4].

• Prof. Dr. Christian H. Siebert (Germany):

Sports Medicine in Cancer Management

Offered insight into how physical activity interventions can improve quality of life and outcomes for cancer survivors—highlighting rehabilitation as a key pillar of comprehensive care [5].

• Dr. Ravi Jasuja (USA):

MUC1-C Reloaded: Pan-Cancer ADC Therapies

Returned to the stage to introduce a novel antibody-drug conjugate targeting MUC1-C, a transmembrane protein found in a broad range of cancers [6].

Figure 5 Professor Gerhard Litscher presenting on AI-driven neuromodulation in acupuncture research during the Keynote Forum.

The forum not only delivered scientific insights but also encouraged dialogue, setting the tone for transdisciplinary problem-solving (Figure 6).

Figure 6 Group photo of all keynote speakers — A multidisciplinary team advancing innovation across biomedical fields.

4. International Collaboration and Scientific Diplomacy

More than just a technical program, the event in Nice embodied the spirit of science diplomacy. It emphasized that innovation flourishes best in inclusive, multicultural ecosystems where ideas are exchanged freely and respectfully (Figure 7).

Figure 7 Interactive Q&A session during the Keynote Forum, fostering dialogue between researchers and clinicians.

As moderator, I had the honor of facilitating exchanges between leaders from vastly different fields, cultural backgrounds, and clinical philosophies. Whether through discussion panels, Q&A sessions, or informal conversations, the congress fostered scientific trust and intellectual synergy.

5. Welcome Banquet

The day concluded with a culturally rich Welcome Banquet in the Full Jasmin Hall, blending gastronomy, art, and community (Figure 8).

Figure 8 The Welcome Banquet at Full Jasmin Hall, celebrating international friendship with local cuisine and cultural performances symbolizing the fusion of science and cultural heritage.

5.1 Opening and Toasts

In my opening remarks, I welcomed all guests and reflected on the significance of our gathering beyond scientific metrics—focusing on human connection and mutual respect.

Dr. Isabelle Mus-Veteau (CNRS, France) was intended to give a warm welcome speech, sharing a local perspective on international collaboration. Dr. Xiaodan Mei then delivered an uplifting toast, reinforcing the unifying mission of the congress.

5.2 Dance Performance and Lucky Draw

Guests enjoyed a traditional dance performance (Figure 9), symbolizing the beauty of cultural diversity. Afterward, a raffle draw injected energy and fun into the evening:

• Prof. Dr. Robert S. Kass conducted the first round (5 winners)
• Dr. Ravi Jasuja led the second round (3 winners)
• Dr. Xiaodan Mei presented the final grand prize

Figure 9 Traditional dance performance at the Welcome Banquet.

These moments, while lighthearted, demonstrated the importance of celebrating community in scientific environments.

6. Reflections and Outlook

The first day of the congress proved that global scientific exchange is not merely beneficial—it is essential. Solutions to modern medical challenges require collaboration that transcends geography, politics, and language.

The interactions witnessed in Nice—both formal and informal—have already planted seeds for new collaborations, co-authored studies, and clinical trials.

This event is just the beginning. The five congresses in this series will continue to build on the momentum established here, advancing ethical innovation and global responsibility in life science.

7. Save the Date: Next Cluster Meeting in Beautiful Athens in April 2026

The next Cluster Meeting is already being planned and will take place on April 15, 2026, in Athens, Greece – a beautiful city full of history and charm (Figure 10). I will once again have the pleasure of moderating the event, and I am very much looking forward to another inspiring exchange with all of you.

Figure 10 Announcement of the next Cluster Meeting. The upcoming Cluster Meeting will take place on April 15, 2026, in Athens, Greece.

If you have any questions regarding the meeting, please feel free to contact the organizer or reach out to me directly at the email address provided.

8. Conclusion

From world-class keynote presentations to a heartwarming evening banquet, the opening day of the International Exchange of Professionals – Thematic Event in Life Science was a celebration of what is possible when science, culture, and community come together.

As moderator, I express my sincere thanks to all speakers, organizers, and delegates for making this event not only successful but historically significant in its ambition and execution.

From the Côte d’Azur, a new chapter of global biomedical cooperation has begun—and it is filled with hope, purpose, and transformative potential.

Author Contributions

The author did all the research work for this study.

Funding

No financial support.

Competing Interests

The author hereby declares that no conflict of interests exists in connection with the publication of this editorial.

Data Availability Statement

All photos © G. Litscher.

AI-Assisted Technologies Statement

An AI tool (ChatGPT by OpenAI, GPT‑4.0) was used for the initial translation of this contribution from German into English. The author has carefully reviewed and edited the final version, which was also polished by a native speaker. The author takes full responsibility for the content of the manuscript.