Ascendis Pharma Launches Emerging Experts Program for Young Endocrinologists in Spain

Nearly 50 resident and young endocrinologists gathered in Madrid on October 7, 2026, for the inaugural edition of Emerging Experts, a training initiative launched by Ascendis Pharma Iberia to address complex and rare endocrine conditions. The program combines scientific debate, clinical case discussions, and practical skills training focused heavily on chronic hypoparathyroidism. Adrián Chaves, an endocrinology resident at Hospital Valdecilla in Santander, stated: Para mí, iniciativas como Emerging Experts tienen un gran valor porque permiten profundizar en enfermedades poco frecuentes como el hipoparatiroidismo crónico. He added that having practical training taught by experienced specialists serves as an opportunity to improve knowledge, share clinical experiences, and prepare better for tackling complex cases in clinical practice.

Chronic Hypoparathyroidism Training For Young Specialists

Chronic hypoparathyroidism affects approximately 13,000 people in Spain. Because of its low prevalence, the condition often receives limited attention during standard medical residency programs, as noted by Jorge González, a specialist at the Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Badajoz and member of the Mineral and Bone Metabolism Group of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN).

The training addresses a clinical reality where management goes far beyond standard calcium level monitoring. Alfonso Soto, an endocrinology and nutrition specialist at the University Hospital of A Coruña, explained that specific training helps physicians optimize patient follow-up, prevent complications, and better understand the impact the disease has on different organs and overall quality of life.

Elena López Mezquita, an endocrinologist at the San Cecilio University Hospital in Granada, also noted that training these professionals serves as an investment in patient futures, ensuring knowledge does not concentrate in only a few centers or specialists so patients receive proper care regardless of location.

The program pairs young clinicians with experienced specialists to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and daily clinical reality. Elena López Mezquita, an endocrinologist at the San Cecilio University Hospital in Granada, pointed out that while younger professionals bring motivation and innovative ideas, they benefit greatly from experienced mentors to master daily patient management.

Parallel efforts are also examining broader structural challenges in patient journeys. The EndoValue project, developed by Ascendis Pharma Iberia with backing from SEDISA, SEEN, SCLEDyN, and patient association AECAT, analyzes patient pathways to detect barriers. Fernando Gómez-Peralta, head of the Endocrinology and Nutrition Unit at the General Hospital of Segovia, noted that EndoValue proposes automated laboratory alerts and pharmacy coordination to improve therapeutic adherence and prevent patients from getting lost in the healthcare system. Gómez-Peralta also highlighted that nursing can assist by reviewing treatment adherence, and emphasized that a multidisciplinary approach must incorporate patient experience and health outcomes beyond biochemical control.

Ascendis Pharma Iberia intends for Emerging Experts to become a recurring educational platform with long-term continuity, establishing a collaborative network among specialists. Sérgio Alves, interim general director for Iberia at Ascendis Pharma, stated that the company remains committed to advancing knowledge in rare endocrine diseases and helping future specialists handle complex clinical challenges with greater preparation.

Despite these new training programs and multidisciplinary care models, questions remain regarding how uniformly specialized care can be integrated across geographically diverse regions like Castilla y León, where territorial configuration poses hurdles for patient follow-up and coordinated multidisciplinary treatment.