ICRAPAIN 2026 Conference Overview
The 10th International Conference on Recent Advances in Pain (ICRAPAIN 2026) was held in Kolkata, West Bengal, from September 3 to September 6, 2026. Organized by the Daradia Pain Foundation in partnership with Daradia: The Pain Clinic, Kolkata, the event was themed “From Evidence to Practice: Shaping the Future of Pain Medicine.”
A total of more than 600 pain professionals attended the three‑day scientific programme, which comprised lectures, panel discussions, research presentations, masterclasses, and practical education sessions. The scientific agenda covered a broad spectrum of contemporary pain medicine, including musculoskeletal ultrasound, radiofrequency procedures, neuromodulation, spine interventions, neuropathic and nociplastic pain, cancer pain, artificial intelligence applications, and emerging pain biologics and regenerative medicine.
Research Contributions
The conference featured 52 scientific abstracts: 42 were delegate‑submitted abstracts and 10 were faculty‑authored abstracts. These abstracts addressed topics such as ultrasound‑guided interventions, AI‑driven diagnostics, and the latest developments in pain biologics.
Participant Feedback
Feedback was collected from 81 respondents. The overall conference received an average rating of 9.22 out of 10, while the dedicated Live Pain Biologics Workshop achieved a higher average rating of 9.63 out of 10, indicating strong participant satisfaction with both the scientific content and the hands‑on component.
Focus on Pain Biologics and Knee Osteoarthritis
A major highlight was the discussion of Pain Biologics and non‑surgical treatments for knee osteoarthritis. Sessions explored platelet‑rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), mesenchymal stromal cells, and phenotype‑based therapeutic approaches. Particular attention was given to Ciplostem, an allogeneic bone‑marrow‑derived mesenchymal stromal cell therapy developed by Stempeutics Research and marketed in India by Cipla. Ciplostem has received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for use in selected patients with Grade II and Grade III knee osteoarthritis. The conference examined the clinical evidence, patient‑selection criteria, safety profile, and its role within a broader strategy for joint preservation.
Live Demonstration and Educational Resources
Ahead of the main event, a pre‑conference Live Pain Biologics Workshop provided practical exposure to regenerative interventions. During this workshop, a live Ciplostem procedure was demonstrated, allowing participating physicians to discuss technique, evidence, safety, and clinical selection in a real‑time setting. Following the conference, Daradia published a comprehensive evidence‑based resource titled “Ciplostem for Knee Osteoarthritis, Non‑Surgical Treatment and Alternatives to Knee Replacement,” which details the therapy’s regulatory status, clinical data, patient‑selection guidelines, safety considerations, and comparisons with PRP and BMAC.
Outlook
The organizers emphasized that emerging biologic therapies should be evaluated through rigorous evidence rather than enthusiasm alone, with treatment individualized according to disease stage, biomechanics, symptoms, functional status, and patient expectations. Building on the success of its 10th edition, ICRAPAIN will continue to focus on scientific education, research, innovation, practical training, and responsible translation of emerging technologies into pain practice.