Drug Discovery Europe 2026 (Light)

15 - 16 June 2026
Estrel Congress Centre, Berlin

Pushing traditional boundaries in pharmaceutical science by accelerating the discovery of novel therapeutics

Join leading scientific experts through our annual Drug 
Discovery programme, addressing critical strategies, 
scientific breakthroughs and the latest technological 
advancements in novel target discovery & medicinal 
chemistry and drug design, new case studies on PROTACs, 
RNA & molecular glues and the utilisation of AI & computational tools 
in early R&D
Drug Discovery Top Section
Discovery & Development EU 2025 Conference Brochure

2025 Agenda at a Glance

DAY ONE

Track 1: Target Identification, Validation & New Modalities
Track 2: Medicinal & AI-Guided Computational Chemistry

DAY TWO

Track 1: DMPK, Pharmacology & Safety
Track 2: Hit Identification, Optimization & Screening
Track 3: Degraders & Molecular Glues

What to Expect at Drug Discovery Europe

VPs, Directors & Senior Managers from leading pharma & biotech 
companies and research institutions in the following fields and more:

• Target Discovery  
• Medicinal Chemistry  
• Lead Generation
• Screening
• Investigative Toxicology
• Neurodegeneration

• Lab Automation  
• Functional Genomics 
• Hit Identification
• Target Validation

Formal and informal meeting opportunities offer delegates the chance to discuss key solutions with leading service providers. Formal 1:1 meeting opportunities will be available to arrange prior to the event which take place during the dedicated networking breaks covering:

• Library Optimisation
• Screening Technologies
• Target Validation
• Organoid Discovery
• Protein Degradation Tools
• Automation
•  AI/ML
• Animal Models
• Inhibitor Discovery
1000

leading pharma, biotech, regulatory & academic delegates

400
pre-arranged 1-2-1 meetings, facilitating business growth
70
hours of presentations, discussions & interactive content
8
hours of networking breaks, including fireside chats & refreshments

NextGen Biomed 2025

Advancing Therapeutic Innovation Through Multi-Omics Research  

NextGen Omics & Spatial Biology connects thought leaders, researchers, and experts with pharmaceutical & biotech representatives to discuss the latest innovations across the fields of multi-omics. 

There are three dedicated programmes running across two full days, which together will explore multi-omics from technological development to therapeutic applications and analysis, making this a must-attend event for anyone working in clinical diagnostics, single cell & spatial biology. 

Hear from past attendees of last year's Biologics 2024 conference

Explore the NextGen Omics & Spatial Biology US 2025 Programme

Antibody Society

NextGen Biomed 2025 is supported by our
Scientific Programme Partner The Antibody Society

Discovery & Development Europe 2025 Programme Highlights

Explore dynamic panels, engaging roundtables, and hands-on workshops designed to drive innovation and foster collaboration in Drug Discovery, Formulation and Delivery including: 

Drug Discovery & Automation Programme - Key Themes

Panel Discussion: Technological Advancements For Novel Target Discovery

  • Application of new technologies in identifying therapeutics for novel or currently undruggable targets
  • Utilising AI/ML
  • Challenges & future opportunities

 

Panellists include Giovanni Spagnolli, Chief Technology Officer, Sibylla Biotech, Ian Roberts, Senior Director, Digital Biology, Healx & Zoran Rankovic, Director, Center for Protein Degradation, The Institute of Cancer Research

Panel Discussion: Novel Platforms & Techniques To Improve Hit Identification

 

•    Optimising Hit discovery
•    Minimising false positives
•    Integration of techniques

 

Moderated by Jonathan Hopper, Vice President Platforms & Founder, OMass Therapeutics

Panel Discussion: Fostering Partnerships & Collaboration In 2025 – as part of our newly introduced Early-Stage R&D Innovation Programme

 

  • Emerging technologies & techniques
  • Cross-sector partnership
  • Open innovation

 

Moderated by Alexander Natz, Secretary General, EUCOPE & panellists from Cicio Holdings, BioAge Labs, European Commission, Pfizer & Business Region Gothenburg

Panel Discussion: Breakthrough Biotech: How Research Leaders Fund The Next Big Idea

 

  • How research leaders identify and support fundable biotech innovations
  • Overcoming early-stage funding gaps in biotech startups
  • The role of research partnerships with pharma, VCs, and industry in startup success
  • What startups can learn from research-backed biotech wins

 


Panellists include Christoph Rösli, Director of Research Bern, CSL Behring & Member of the Selection Board, BaseLaunch; David Jenkinson, Head of Childhood Cancer Translational Challenge, LifeArc; David Dexter, Director of Research, Parkinsons UK 

Fireside Chat: Impact of AI & Big Data in Drug Discovery & Development

 

Panel Discussion: Translational Studies to Support Better Drug Design

  • Bridging the gap between pre-clinical & clinical research
  • Biomarkers & AI/ML in translational research

 

Moderated by Philippe Marc, Executive Director, Global Head of Integrated Data Sciences, Novartis

Panel Discussion: Fostering Collaboration To Accelerate Neurodegenerative Disease Research


•    Pharma, biotech & academic partnerships
•    The need for innovation, data & technology in CNS research
•    Challenges to be solved through collaboration 

Moderated by Emma Mead, Chief Scientific Officer, Alzheimer’s Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute, University of Oxford. Panellists include Knut Biber, Research Fellow & Head of Glial Biology Team, AbbVie; Sarah Jolly, Principal Scientist, LifeArc; Michael Johnson, Professor of Neurology & Genomic Medicine, Imperial College London


Day 2 Breakfast Workshop - LifeArc: Biomarkers In Neurodegenerative Diseases: From Detection To Progression - Are Blood -Based Biomarkers Enough?

  • Beyond blood-based biomarkers?
  • Are we any closer to a solution?
  • Application of AI/ML

Moderated by Manuela Cerina, Scientific Director – Neurodegeneration, LifeArc & Giovanna Lalli, Director of Strategy & Operations, LifeArc

Panel Discussion:
Automation & Robotics In Drug Discovery & Development – Where Are We Now? 


•    Impact of automation 
•    AI/ML  
•    Robotics in lab processes

Moderated by Rekha Lakshmanan, Global Head of Data Office, AstraZeneca

Panellists include: James Love, Vice President Cross Modalities Workflows, Novo Nordisk, Sarah Trice, COO & Head of US Operations, XtalPi & Tom Kissling, pRED Lab Automation Partner, Roche

Day 2 Breakfast Workshop: SiLA & AnIML Splash


•    Splash! Is a unique event for every digital lab enthusiast. It combines an educational part with a hands-on session to try out standards in action. Pick up the details on the popular SiLA and AnIML standards, understand how they work and where you can put them to use. Our hands-on session lets you experience the standards in action firsthand. We’re bringing real and cloud-based instruments and lots of example data sets 
•    Feel free to bring an instrument or your own data

Formulation and Delivery Programme - Key Themes

Panel Discussion: Moving Beyond Oral Delivery

 

•    Nanoparticles
•    Inhalation
•    Transdermal
•    Developments with Oral Delivery

Moderated by Sandor Batkai, Life Science Consultant, Former, Head of Medical Research and Intelligence, Cardior Pharmaceuticals

Panellists include Shadi Farhangrazi, Chief Executive Officer, S.M. Discovery Group, Joël Richard, Executive Head, Product Development, DBV, Kamalinder Singh, Professor of Pharmaceutical, Technology & Drug Delivery, Karsten Mäder, Professor, Martin Luter University Halle-Wittenberg

Panel Discussion: AI/ML & Novel Technologies In Formulation & Delivery

  • Applications of AI/ML in formulation and delivery
  • AI-driven approaches to optimise dosage forms
  • Novel delivery technologies
  • AI/ML for personalised formulations

 

Moderated by Shilpa Thosar, CMC/Regulatory CMC Executive, Former Executive Director, Cara Therapeutics

Roundtable: Discovery And Delivery Of Therapeutics Across The Blood Brain Barrier – Where Are We Now?

  • Brain shuttle platform
  • Monocytes
  • Microbubbles

 

Moderated by Shadi Farhangrazi, Chief Executive Officer, S.M. Discovery Group

Key Event Highlights

An unmissable journey awaits you: from award winning speakers and insightful workshops to an exclusive gala dinner. Discover the moments that will transform your Discovery & Development experience. 

Meet Our Expert Speakers

The event brings together a panel of prominent leaders and scientists, sharing new case studies, innovative data, and industry outlooks. Below were some of the featured speakers at Discovery Europe 2025: 23 - 24 June 2025, Basel, Switzerland

Emma Mead
Chief Scientific Officer, Oxford Drug Discovery Institute,
University of Oxford
Karin Conde-Knape
Senior Vice President, Early Development,
Novo Nordisk
Morten Grunnet
Vice President, Head of Neuroscience ,
Lundbeck
Philippe Marc
Executive Director, Global Head of Integrated Data Sciences,
Novartis
Ulrich Betz
Senior Vice President Innovation,
Merck
Aaron Smith
Associate Director,
AstraZeneca
Abi Heath
Patent Attorney & Counsel,
Kilburn & Strode
Alain Martelli
External Science Lead Europe, Discovery Network,
Pfizer
Alex Alderton
Senior Director of High Throughput Screening,
AstraZeneca
Andrew Woodhead
Head of Chemistry,
Astex Pharmaceuticals
Andy Pike
DMPK Project Lead,
AstraZeneca
Antonia Stepan
Section Head - Medicinal Chemistry,
Roche
April Woulfe
Scientist,
Alchemab Theraputics Ltd
Arianna Sabò
Head of Research & Discovery,
QUANTRO Therapeutics
Arne Skerra
Professor ,
Technische Universität München
Benedict Cross
CTO,
PhoreMost Ltd
Cesare Spadoni
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer,
Oncoheroes Biosciences
Christine Maurer
Scientific Associate Director Biotransformation,
Merck Healthcare KGaA
Christoph Rösli
Director Research,
CSL Behring & BaseLaunch
Cornelis Van Tilburg
Head of KiTZ CTU,
Hopp-Kindertumorzentrum Heidelberg
David Jenkinson
Head of Childhood Cancer Translational Challenge,
LifeArc
David Dexter
Research Director,
Parkinson's UK
David Gnutt
Vice President, Complex In Vitro Lead, RED Cardiovascular, Renal and Immunology, ,
Bayer
Delphine Heenen
Kicker in Chief Managing Director,
KickCancer
Diana Knapp-Bühle
Associate Director and DMPK Lead,
Merck Healthcare KGaA
Eva Aparicio
Product Owner,
Roche
Gergely Toth
Chief Executive & Scientific Officer, Founder,
Cantabio Pharmaceuticals
Giovanni Spagnolli
Chief Technology Officer,
Sibylla Biotech
Heena Khatter
Principal Scientist,
Roche
Ian Roberts
Senior Director, Digital Biology,
Healx
Iris Valtingojer
Sanofi Childhood Cancer R&D CSR Lead,
Sanofi
James Connell
Scientific Director - Translational Matrix Group,
LifeArc
Jens Frauenfeld
Chief Executive Officer,
Salipro Biotech
Johanna Roostalu
Director, Therapeutics, Venture Creation,
BioInnovation Institute
Jonathan Hopper
Vice President, Platforms & Founder,
OMass Therapeutics
Jörg Berghausen
Associate Director,
Novartis
Jose-Carlos Gomez-Tamayo
Senior Scientist II,
Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
Juan-Carlos Sanchez
Partner,
Woxsen University
Knut Biber
Research Fellow & Head of Glial Biology Team,
AbbVie
Kristina Levan
Business Developer,
Business Region Gothenburg
Lars van der Veen
Chief Scientific Officer,
ionctura
Laura Gasparini
Director -Tau pathobiology,
AbbVie
Lene Gerlach
Venture Partner; Founder & Chairperson,
Hadean Ventures; Women in Life Science Denmark
Maeve Caldwell
Professor in Neuroscience, Physiology,
Trinity College Dublin
Manuela Cerina
Scientific Director of Neurodegeneration,
LifeArc
Marcos Costa
Principal Scientist,
Roche
Marie-Christine Pardon
Assistant Professor in Translational Neuroscience,
University of Nottingham
Marius Lutz
Scientist, Process Chemistry,
Hoffmann La Roche Ltd
Mark Chiu
President & Chief Scientific Officer,
Tavotek BioTherapeutics
Michael Johnson
Professor of Neurology and Genomic Medicine,
Imperial College London
Miroslav Cik
Senior Principal Research Scientist,
Abbvie
Naisha Shah
Vice President of Data Science,
BioAge Labs
Peng Leong
CBO and Head of Brain Aging,
Bioage labs
Phil Noble
Head of Single B Cell Antibody Discovery,
UCB Pharma
Philip Hewitt
Global Head of Early Investigative Toxicology,
Merck
Rainer Wilcken
Senior Director, Computational Chemistry,
Flare Therapeutics Inc
Rick Ewing
VP, Head of Chemistry,
Rapafusyn
Roderick Beijersbergen
Head of NKI Genomics Core Facility & Professor of Functional Genomics,
The Netherlands Cancer Institute & University of Amsterdam
Sagar Chandekar
Senior Medical Director, Alzheimer's Disease,
Novo Nordisk
Sam Daems
Researcher, I3h (ULB) & Portfolio Principal,
Waterland Private Equity
Sarah Jolly
Principal Scientist,
LifeArc
Simone Hornemann
Director UZH CRISPR Screening Hub,
University of Zurich
Steen Krogsgaard
Scientific Automation Director,
Novo Nordisk
Stefan Schiesser
Director of Medicinal Chemistry,
AstraZeneca
Stefano Romanelli
Senior Government Affairs Manager,
EUCOPE
Stephanie Harlfinger
Senior Director, Global Head NCE DMPK,
Merck & Cie KmG
Sven Verguts
Associate Director, Emerging Biotech & ATMPs,
Merck
Tamara Maes
Former Chief Scientific Officer & Founder,
Oryzon Genomics
Thanneer Malai Perumal
Senior Principal Scientist,
Hoffmann La Roche Ltd
Trond Ulven
Professor,
Copenhagen University
Valentina Romeo
Principal Scientist & Group Leader,
Roche
Virginia Ballotta
New Ventures Manager,
BaseLaunch
Vladimir Talibov
Associate Principal Scientist,
Sprint Bioscience
Zhi Yao
Principal Scientist,
LifeArc
Zhizhou Fang
Associate Scientific Director,
Merck Healthcare KGaA
Zoran Rankovic
Professor of Chemical Biology & Director, Centre for Protein Degradation,
The Institute of Cancer Research
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Good number of 1-1 meetings with relevant people. Very happy with the networking process and the Oxford Global team are very nice and service minded.


Regional Sales Director
AxionBio

5a563b71-261f-4b78-a13b-5b4890a6b41d-2-5668375logo-Copy-of-Arctoris-blue-logo-1-Transparent

 

Absolutely outstanding conference attracting large pharma and aspiring biotechs. Oxford Global are excellent, the food is outstanding and the preset meetings are informal and impactful

Vice President of Business Development
Arctoris

Novalix Logo

 

The organisation was perfect. Good mix between excellent scientific presentations and network opportunities.


Pharmacology Associate Director
Novalix

novartis-logo

 

This was my first time at the conference and it was a great experience. Very well organized conference and I learned a lot and made valuable connection - Thank you Oxford Global.


Senior Principal Scientist

Novartis

Interested in Sponsoring NextGen Omics & Spatial Biology US 2025?

Become a driving force in accelerating the next generation of multi-omics-based treatments. NextGen Omics & Spatial Biology US offers a unique platform to enhance your brand visibility and connect with thousands of pharma, biotech, & academic experts. Our branded event opportunities, immersive experiences, and content services enable you to engage, educate, & collaborate with the community shaping the future of genomic medicine today.

Interested in Sponsoring NextGen Biomed?

Become a driving force in accelerating the next generation of biologics and immunotherapy medicines to patients. NextGen Biomed offers a unique platform to enhance your brand visibility and connect with thousands of pharma, biotech, and R&D experts. Our branded event opportunities, immersive experiences, and content services enable you to engage, educate, and collaborate with the community shaping the future of biomedicine today.

Interested in Sponsoring Discovery & Development Europe 2026?

Become a driving force in accelerating the volume of safe, effective first-in-class drugs to reach patients. Discovery & Development offers a unique platform to enhance your brand visibility and connect with thousands of biopharma decision-makers. Our branded event opportunities, immersive experiences, and content services enable you to engage, educate, and collaborate with the innovators shaping the future of R&D today

New Opportunities

The Start-up Zone

Are you developing a cutting-edge therapy, platform or technology? Our Start-Up Zone is designed to support emerging companies looking to increase their visibility, find potential partners or early adopters, and meet their investment goals – connecting them with our community of pharma, investors, and mid-to-large size biotechs. 

Located in the Exhibition Hall, the Start-Up Zone allows therapeutic pioneers to showcase their approach, conduct invaluable 1:1 meetings and deliver a quick-fire pitch.

For further information and to get started submit the application form below.

 

Criteria:

The Start-Up Zone is designed for therapeutic start-ups, academic spin-outs, and early-stage technology/service providers.

To be eligible for inclusion, you must meet the following criteria:

•    0 – 5 years operating
•    0 – 30 employees
•    Pre-Series A funding


What you will receive:

  • 2 full conference passes
  • 10-minute pitch on the Start-Up Stage
  • 1x1m space in Start-Up Zone for own partnering meetings; cocktail table provided, start-up to bring 1x pull-up banner
  • Logo featured on website & event platform as a participating start-up
  • Ability to arrange 1:1 meetings via the congress app

 

2025 Young Scientist Awards (YSA) for Best Poster Presentation

The NextGen Biomed Young Scientist Awards include the best poster presentation award and are intended to honour an outstanding individual performance for a scientific work by a PhD student, PostDoc or early career scientist.

Please submit your poster presentation by no later than 13th January 2025 in the below category:

  • Protein/Antibody Engineering
  • Bioanalysis & Characterisation
  • Next Generation Biotherapeutics
  • Peptides Chemistry & Therapeutics
  • Oligonucleotides Chemistry & Therapeutics
  • Sustainable Chemistry & Manufacturing
  • Student (PhD), PostDoc or early career scientist under 35 years of age. Proof must be provided via an active student ID card or a copy of status
  • Applicants must be the first AND presenting author of the submitted paper and register for the meeting by 13th January 2025
  • ONLY ONE YSA submission per person will be accepted. If authors submit multiple abstracts for consideration for the YSA, only one abstract will be taken into consideration for the YSA

Applicants must follow the procedure as follows: 

  • Register and submit an abstract by 13th January 2025 using the registration link to the left on this page 
  • Once registered you will be provided with the online abstract submission form 
  • Prepare the poster or platform and present it (The poster presenter should be at the poster during all breaks.) 
  • The 3 winners with the highest scores will be announced at the Networking Drinks on the second day of the event 
  • The winners’ 10-minute oral presentations will take place during the networking drinks on day 2 

The platform or poster presentation will be evaluated by senior scientists (consisting of our speaking and steering group committee for the NextGen Biomed series) on the basis of originality of the approach and quality of the work (e.g. appropriate methodology, interpretation of results, conclusiveness). All participants will receive the scoring and comments after the annual meeting via email.

The 3 winners receiving the highest scores will be announced at the Networking Drinks on the Day 2 and will be given a trophy as well as £1,000 contribution towards travel costs. Oxford Global will also provide winners with PLUS Pass – 12 months access to our content platform providing access to on-demand presentations, exclusive reports and highlights. 

Plan Your Visit

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego
California
USA, 92101

By Air

From San Diego International Airport (SAN), the hotel is just 1.5 miles from the airport.

  • Shuttle: Use the free Sheraton shuttle, available at Terminal 1 & Terminal 2. Look for the “Hotel Courtesy Shuttle” sign.
  • If Shuttle is unavailable: Take the 992 bus from the airport to the Harbor Island Drive & Sheraton Way stop (5-minute ride). Walk 5 minutes to the hotel.

By Tram/Bus

The total journey from downtown via tram and bus should take around 20-30 minutes.

  1. Take the San Diego Trolley:
    Use the Green Line or another line that connects to the Santa Fe Depot station.
  1. Transfer to Bus or Walk:
    From Santa Fe Depot, take Bus 992 (Airport Route) toward the San Diego International Airport. Exit at the hotel stop near Harbor Island.
  • Alternatively, walk approximately 30 minutes (1.5 miles) along Harbor Drive to the hotel.

Ensure to check the trolley and bus schedules for exact timings.

By Car

Directions:
 

Merge onto I-5 North:

  • Exit 17A toward W Hawthorn St toward San Diego Airport
  • Keep left to stay on W Hawthorn St
  • Turn Right onto N Harbor Drive
  • Follow N Harbor Drive until you reach Harbor Island Drive
  • Turn Left onto Harbor Island Drive
  • Sheraton San Diego Resort will be on your right

Merge onto I-5 South:

  • Exit 18A toward Sassafras St/San Diego Airport
  • Turn Right onto W Laurel St
  • Take a slight right onto N Harbor Drive
  • Turn Left onto Harbor Island Drive
  • Sheraton San Diego Resort will be on your right

 

Parking Options:

  • Overnight Self-Parking rate has been discounted to $25.00 per vehicle, and Overnight Valet Parking at $65.00 per vehicle.

  • Event Only Parking is discounted to Self-Parking at $22.00 per vehicle, and Valet Parking at $47.00 per vehicle.

Oxford Global has secured a number of bedrooms at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina at a reduced conference rate: 

 

  • Wednesday 1st October 2025 – $309 (inclusive of taxes and fees - no breakfast)
  • Thursday 2nd October 2025 – $309 (inclusive of taxes and fees - no breakfast)

A nightly resort charge of $15 is included, providing guests with premium amenities:
High-speed Wi-Fi: Available in guest rooms, public areas, meeting spaces, and F&B outlets
Fitness & Recreation: 24-hour fitness centre access, morning yoga class, and 60-minute tennis court use
Airport Shuttle: Complimentary transportation to and from San Diego International Airport

 

Should you wish to book a room, please email help@oxfordglobal.com

 

The final cut-off date to book bedrooms is Wednesday 3rd September 2025 – any bookings after this date are subject to availability and rates. Please note that any cancellations within 14 days prior to arrival are subject to full cancellation charges.

We are closely monitoring the official guidance from health authorities, local governments, and the World Health Organization in order to support the health and well-being of our global community. The health and safety of our staff, customers and clients remains our number one priority.

As we continue to move forward with hosting our events in-person in 2025, we’ve added a series of Health & Safety guidelines and precautions in order to prepare for event safety. We carry out risk assessments for all our events to evaluate fundamental considerations and how to cover multiple risk scenarios.

Oxford Global has learned that third-party companies (recently EHotel Services, Business Travel Management/btravelmanagement and Exhibitors Hotel Reservations Services) are targeting conference attendees with a fraudulent hotel booking scheme.

Please note that none of these third-party companies are associated with Oxford Global in any way, nor have Oxford Global authorised them to use their names or trademarks on information they send out to attendees.

If you are contacted by a third-party company by phone or email using Oxford Global’s name or the name of Discovery & Development US 2025 and offering accommodation services, we urge exhibitors and attendees to proceed with extreme caution before signing anything sent by these companies or entering into any conversation or replying to any emails sent from these third-party companies.

Interested in Drug Discovery Europe 2026?