History

A Brief History of the EPC

Founded in London in 1965, the European Pancreatic Club is the world's first scientific society dedicated to the study of the pancreas. What began as a small gathering of nine scientists has grown into a global community of over 700 members, with annual meetings held without interruption for six decades. Over the years, the EPC's scientific focus has evolved in step with the field — from pancreatic physiology and biochemistry in its early years, through the study of pancreatitis, to the growing focus on pancreatic cancer that defines much of today's research agenda.

The EPC has always been as committed to its people as to its science. A Young Researchers Corner was introduced at annual meetings in 1991. Today, the EPC's fellowship programme, Pancreas 2000 postgraduate education initiative, and YOUPPIE platform for young pancreatologists ensure that the next generation of scientists is actively supported and connected. Pancreatology, the Club's official journal since 2001, provides a prestigious home for the field's most important work.

Recent years have brought new milestones. The 50th Jubilee Meeting in Berlin in 2018 drew over 700 participants; the EPC's first virtual meeting in 2020 reached a global audience; and in June 2026, a landmark joint meeting with the International Association of Pancreatology in Istanbul attracted a record 900+ participants from around the world.

Through it all, the EPC has remained what it was always meant to be — a community built on scientific rigour, international collaboration, and genuine friendship.

Major Milestones

*UEGF - United European Gastroenterology Federation (a precursor of United European Gastroenterology)

Read more about the EPC's history here.

EPC Facts and Figures

A Multidisciplinary Society 

The EPC is a truly multidisciplinary society, bringing together over 700 specialists from across the medical and scientific spectrum.

Its largest specialities are gastroenterologists and surgeons, followed by basic scientists — who together account for over 60% of the membership — alongside oncologists, pathologists, and other disciplines, reflecting the complexity of pancreatic disease and the breadth of disciplines needed to effectively address it. 

Geographical Diversity 

With members spanning more than 55 countries, the EPC is a genuinely international community. While its roots are firmly European — with Italy, Germany, Ukraine, Hungary, and Spain among the largest national contingents — the Club’s reach extends well beyond Europe, with members in North and South America, Asia, and Africa.

This geographical diversity is a scientific asset: it enables cross-border collaboration on clinical trials and research projects, ensures that findings reflect a wide range of patient populations and healthcare settings, and amplifies the impact of the EPC’s work on pancreatic disease worldwide. 

EPC Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

The EPC Lifetime Achievement Award

The EPC Lifetime Achievement Award is the EPC's highest honour, recognising members who have dedicated their careers to advancing the field of pancreatology. Recipients are chosen for their outstanding contributions to the field and the wider pancreatic community. To be eligible, candidates must be EPC long-term members with a career in pancreatology spanning at least 30 years. 

Awardees To Date

List of Annual Meetings

Click here to see a list of the EPC annual meetings since its founding in 1965.