Meeting Report: 39th International Conference on Antiviral Research in Prague, Czech Republic, April 27-May 1, 2026.

The 39th International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR), hosted by the International Society for Antiviral Research (ISAR), took place April 27-May 1, 2026, at the Cubex Centrum Praha in Prague, Czech Republic. The annual meeting brought together scientists from academia, industry, government, and public health to present recent advances across antiviral discovery, therapeutic development, vaccine research, host-directed approaches, and preparedness for emerging and re-emerging viral threats. The 2026 program included plenary and award lectures, oral presentations, poster sessions, late-breaking presentations, shotgun presentations, and focused scientific sessions spanning arboviruses, coronaviruses, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), chronic, latent, and persistent viruses, hepatotropic and gastrointestinal viruses, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven drug discovery, broad-spectrum antiviral drugs, non-respiratory biothreat viruses, and pandemic preparedness. The opening plenary featured lectures on influenza virus and hepatitis D virus entry inhibition, while ISAR award lectures highlighted major contributions to antiviral science, including global virus research, antiviral and vaccine development, broad-spectrum antiviral approaches, rational drug design, and small-molecule development for yellow fever disease. ICAR 2026 also included dedicated activities to support professional development and community building, including the Women in Science Roundtable, First Timer and New Member Morning Coffee, PechaKucha Competition, the Chu Family Foundation Fellowship presentations, ISAR Annual Meeting, and Career Development Interactive Roundtable. Overall, ICAR 2026 reinforced ISAR's role as an international forum for scientific exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and development of the next generation of antiviral researchers.