This article is part of an extensive feature on the 2024 HAEi Regional Conference Americas, published in Global Perspectives #1 2024

From 15-17 March, around 650 HAE patients and caregivers, physicians/scientists, and industry representatives from 26 countries met in Panama for the 2024 HAEi Regional Conference Americas. The enthusiasm and motivation to Take Action were real, and each participant left knowing they have the power to make a positive difference.

This third and final regional conference completes this cycle of HAEi events. At each meeting, we’ve covered topics important to the worldwide HAE community. All attendees heard these vitally important presentations at their own conference. In this special feature section, we take you to the heart of the first conference in the Americas region. In addition to the keynote speeches, news, and views, we have interviews from key personalities in Panama while signposting you to earlier in-depth articles on topics also covered in Munich (2023 HAEi Regional Conference EMEA) and Bangkok (2023 HAEi Regional Conference APAC).

The Conference Opens

We were honored to receive a formal address and welcome from Dr. Oscar González, the Deputy Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health in Panama (Ministerio de Salud de Panamá (MINSA)), to open the 2024 HAEi Regional Conference Americas.

On behalf of the National Government chaired by the Honorable Mr. Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, President of the Republic of Panama, and Dr. Luis Francisco Sucre, Minister of Health of Panama, Dr. Gonzalez extended a cordial welcome to the 2024 HAEi Regional Conference Americas.

On behalf of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Gonzalez highlighted their great interest in developing strategies and actions that improve the quality of care for people with HAE. One of these is developing a comprehensive care guide for HAE to be disseminated nationally for health professionals, mainly in primary care. A second is beginning processes related to acquiring HAE medications, with the hope they will be concluded during the year.  Finally, the Equalization of Opportunities offices will hold awareness sessions for healthcare professionals, multidisciplinary teams, and public institutions.

Dr. Gonzalez expressed gratitude to all the exhibitors and attendees for sharing their experiences during this event; their dedication and contributions are invaluable in shaping the future of the multidisciplinary management of HAE at a regional level, leading to better quality of life for people with HAE and their families.

Anthony J. Castaldo (HAEi Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board) and Henrik Balle Boysen (HAEi President) then took to the stage to welcome 650 delegates from across the Americas to the first HAEi Regional Conference Americas, covering north, central, and south America.


While explaining some of HAEi’s history, Tony highlighted that some of the organization’s pioneers are from this region, including Argentina and the United States. These individuals, bolstered by Henrik’s skills and experience, figured out what was needed to create a highly effective global umbrella organization. They found a way to Take Action, which Henrik reiterated is the spirit and theme of this conference. It is the reason that HAEi is active across five areas of focus:

  • Creating a decentralized operational footprint
  • Developing highly relevant technology-driven tools, apps, and services
  • Fostering the advocates of the future
  • Convening in-person conferences and workshops
  • Producing real-world data to demonstrate the value of HAE medicines

Tony previewed some of the upcoming sessions, including hearing from the ever-listening, Regional Patient Advocates (RPAs) in the Americas, with updates on the exciting progress being made in this region.

Henrik reviewed the great tools, technology, and services available to Member Organizations (MO) and patients completely free of charge. >> You can see a recap of these and read how Member Organizations in the Americas are using these tools to turbo-charge their advocacy.

It’s not just tools and technology, Tony told the assembled delegates. Data from research is the currency to gain access to HAE medicines. To support this, HAEi conducts several forms of patient-driven research, including the “Pharmaco and socio-economic studies” series, the “Baseline burden of illness survey,” and the “Heat map survey.” >> Read more about these.

Concluding, Henrik and Tony asked everyone present to express their thanks to the pharmaceutical companies who are supporting this important conference. To loud applause, BioCryst, Takeda, CSL Behring, Pharming, Biomarin, Intellia, Ionis, KalVista and Pharvaris, were called out for their generous support.