Hosted by the American Thoracic Society, the 2026 Respiratory Innovation Summit 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. This meeting historically attracts 400+ global leaders representing all facets of the respiratory industry, including representatives from start-ups, business development, venture capital, government, academia and clinical medicine.

All companies innovating in pulmonary, critical care or sleep are encouraged to apply. All applications will be reviewed. The 2025 event featured 80 companies, 25 of which were selected for oral presentation. The agenda also includes venture capital panel, business development panel, and plenty of time for networking. For questions or to learn more, please email Dustin Bell at dbell@thoracic.org.

Location: Hyatt Regency Orlando, 9801 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819
Dates: Friday, May 15 & Saturday, May 16

• As both a pulmonary physiologist and a medical executive in regenerative medicine, I consider the ATS Respiratory Innovation Summit (RIS) the premier global forum for advancing novel therapies in respiratory care. The Summit creates a uniquely high-impact environment where science, strategy, and collaboration converge—bringing together visionary leaders from academia, industry, and investment to drive meaningful innovation.
  
  ATS RIS stands as an essential platform for any company serious about transforming the future of respiratory medicine. Jason P. Kirkness PhD (Medicine) ATSF
  Head of Medical and Clinical Affairs – Respiratory, SMSbiotech
• RIS has played a pivotal role in our transition from start-up to mature company. The mix of investors, scientists, Pharma and entrepreneurs in a semi-structured environment is unique. Being featured as the innovation success story catapulted us into the awareness of this important ad diverse group of decision makers.
  
  RIS allowed our biotech message to be heard by 400 key people in the field of lung research and development. There's nowhere else for that kind of critical communication and dialogue aimed at the goal of fixing lung disease. Chief Medical Officer, Hyfe, Inc
• …..I can confidently say that presenting at RIS as a showcase company has been one of the greatest highlights in my time working on Airalux - I had the privilege of meeting hundreds of like-minded clinicians, researchers, executives, and more, all united by an innovative mindset to improve care for patients. I am glad to have joined the ATS RIS community and look forward to future meetings.Joshua Freedman, MSE
  Co-Founder & CEO, Airalux Medical, Inc.
• I have seen firsthand the incredible power of the Respiratory Innovation Summit to foster meaningful connections across the respiratory ecosystem. The Summit creates a unique forum where small biopharma companies like ours can engage directly with larger pharmaceutical companies, academic leaders, clinicians, and investors—accelerating the advancement of new therapies and tools to address serious respiratory diseases.
  
  For Vicore, these connections have had a tangible impact. Our participation in the Summit helped catalyze progress on our potential new therapy for pulmonary fibrosis by opening critical dialogues and building partnerships that may not have otherwise happened. We’re grateful to the ATS for creating this invaluable platform for innovation and collaboration. Ahmed Mousa
  CEO, Vicore Pharma