International Society of Extracellular Matrix Pharmacology
WELCOME TO ISECMP
A global hub that brings together researchers, healthcare professionals, and industry leaders to shape the future of matrix biology and pharmacology. Founded in 2023 as a non-profit society, ISECMP is dedicated to advancing basic, translational, clinical, and pharmacological research on the extracellular matrix.
Mission Statement
We advance matrix biology and pharmacology by fostering international collaboration, promoting scientific exchange between academia and industry, and supporting research and events that drive innovation in matrix biology to improve human health.
JOIN US!
Membership Benefits
Become a member of ISECMP and enjoy exclusive benefits, including reduced registration fees for the ECM Congress, access to the latest publications, reviews, and industry news in ECM research, as well as opportunities for awards and mentoring that support your research and professional growth.
Reduced Congress Registration Fees
Access to News in ECM Research
Scientific Community
Contact us to become a member!
CONGRESS
We hosted the 3rd Extracellular Matrix Pharmacology Congress,
and were delighted that you joined us for some insightful days.
ECM2026 highlighted the role of the ECM in driving therapeutic innovation.
As the first anti-fibrotic therapies reached patients, we had a reason to celebrate— and a responsibility to aim even higher.
Next congress:
The Extracellular Matrix Pharmacology Congress 2028
COPENHAGEN, JUNE 12-14, 2028
WEBINAR
Our ECM Pharmacology Symposium Series is held in close collaboration with Nordic Bioscience.
Upcoming webinar:
Fibroblast Activity and Tissue Destruction in Autoimmune Diseases: Understanding Tissue Activity and Its Implications for Drug Development
Fibrogenesis, fibroblast activity and tissue destruction and its relevance in autoimmunity, PsA, RA, SSc and lupus
SEPTEMBER 30, 2026, 17:00-18:30 CEST
The body is constantly regenerating, meaning tissue is continuously broken down and rebuilt. In autoimmune diseases, we often focus on inflammation and immune activity. But inflammation starts the process—it is not necessarily what causes lasting damage. Damage occurs when this balance is disrupted, fibroblasts become activated, and cartilage, bone, and connective tissue are broken down faster than the body can repair them.
This webinar will explore how evaluating tissue activity can reveal what is happening in disease biology, whether a treatment is truly working, and how these insights can support the development of better therapies for autoimmunity, PsA, RA, SSc, and lupus. Read more here.
Speakers: Dr. Kevin Wei, Prof. Dr. Shervin Assassi and Dr. Anne-Christine Bay-Jensen
In the meantime, feel free to watch our previous webinars here.
WE WORK WITH
Media Partners
We acknowledge the collaboration of our media partners, who play an important role in raising awareness of advances in ECM research and related scientific events. In turn, we are committed to supporting our partners, ensuring that together we promote and advance ECM science.
MEET US
Current Board
Morten Karsdal
Chair
CEO, Nordic Bioscience and Adjunct Professor, Southern University of Denmark.
Detlef Schuppan
Board Member
Professor and Director of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Mainz.
Andrea Heinz
Board Member
Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen.
DONATE TO ISECMP
We invite you to support ISECMP in advancing scientific discovery. Your donation will help empower young scientists, promote diversity, enhance ECM biology education, and sustain high-quality scientific events. Contributions also fund travel grants, mentoring programs, and global collaborations — fostering a vibrant and connected research community. Together, we can strengthen the scientific field we all care about.
NEWS AND MEDIA
Latest News
July 02, 2026
Reflections: ECM Congress 2026
In this letter, the Chair shares his personal reflections on the 3rd ECM Pharmacology Congress (Copenhagen, June 14-17, 2026) and the scientific messages that resonated most throughout the congress. The following pages capture the key lessons, collagen biomarker highlights, and advances in ECM research that will help shape the future of fibrosis research and ECM pharmacology.
January 05, 2026
ISECMP Newsletter 2026
The ISECMP biannual newsletter is out! The second half of 2025 brought major advances in ECM biology, imaging, fibrosis, and fibro-inflammatory diseases.
February 09, 2026
“Tissue Fibrosis Through the Life Course and in Transplanted Organs”
Fibrosis is a major cause of global morbidity and mortality. Effective therapies to prevent or even reverse existing fibrotic lesions are not yet available. Submit your original research or review on novel signaling pathways and pro-fibrotic mechanisms at all biological levels, as well as pre-clinical studies on therapies for tissue fibrosis, tumor microenvironment biology, and transplanted organ dysfunction.
Submission deadline: April 30, 2026
Editors: Prof. Natasha Rogers and Prof. Yunchao Su
Journal: Physiological Reports