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Advancing brain health: Roche at the NASA Congress

Group of diverse professionals in business attire pose for a photo at a conference booth with a large promotional banner and white round tables.

Roche recently attended the Neurological Association of South Africa (NASA) Congress, which took place in East London from 13 to 16 May 2026. Attending events like this is incredibly important for us because it provides a vital space to connect with the local medical community, share new research, and talk about how we can improve everyday care for patients living with neurological conditions across South Africa. The congress brought together a wide range of doctors, researchers, and healthcare professionals who are all focused on advancing brain health.

One of the main hubs of activity during the event was the Roche exhibition stand. This space was intentionally built to encourage open discussion and teamwork. Throughout the congress, customers and healthcare professionals stopped by the booth to learn more about our work and exchange clinical insights. To make the experience truly memorable, we introduced innovative artificial intelligence (AI) solutions and a virtual reality (VR) experience at our stand. This interactive technology allowed doctors to engage with the patient journey in a completely new way, marking a significant and exciting first for South Africa.

A man in a black jacket uses a laptop while a woman in a white shirt wears a white VR headset and holds controllers at a conference booth display.

Another major highlight was the Roche-sponsored Breakfast Symposium, which saw a massive turnout from the delegates. The room was completely packed for a masterclass presentation by an internationally renowned expert in neuro-immunology, Professor Riley Bove from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences. Her presentation focused on an urgent and often overlooked topic: the intersection of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and reproductive health.

An auditorium with rows of seated attendees facing a presentation screen at Nasa Conference.

Professor Bove shared compelling real-world data to show why doctors need to have open family planning conversations with their patients right at the point of diagnosis, rather than treating it as a secondary thought. She explained that delaying these discussions or pausing modern therapies without a clear, structured plan can put patients at a high risk for relapsing. Her insights gave local clinicians immediate confidence and practical strategies to safely balance pregnancy planning with long-term neurological care. By bringing global expertise to the national stage and introducing cutting-edge technology at our stand, Roche proved once again that we are not just a provider of medicine, but a true partner in improving patient lives.

M-ZA-00003210 EXP:31/07/2028

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