Discovery & Development Europe 2026
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Estrel Congress Centre, Berlin, Germany
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Programme
Day
AI-Driven Drug Discovery Platforms: Real Value, Real Limits
Panel DiscussionDigitalisation Including Generative AI – Case Study From Sanofi
Industry PresentationThe Real Impact Of AI On Drug Discovery Workflows
Panel Discussion• AI in:
o Drug design
o High throughput screening
o Hit finding
• Productivity gains, limits, and evolution of data/models
• Industry case studies on generative AI: what worked, why, and data sources
• Measuring success and identifying next steps for improvement
Start Up Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationAI Case Study
Industry PresentationSolution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationCandidate Optimisation With Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic Modelling
Industry PresentationLeveraging Affinity Screening for Hit Discovery
Industry PresentationEmerging modalities and genetics driven target selection have reshaped our early discovery portfolio whilst business pressures insist on cycle time compression. AstraZeneca’s response is a synergistic toolbox of affinity based screening approaches whose complementary strengths accelerate internal hit discovery. This presentation introduces the toolkit, how it’s deployed, and the impact it’s having.
AI-Guided Discovery of IAM1363: A Clinical-Stage, Next-Generation HER2 Type II Inhibitor with High Selectivity and Brain Penetrance
Industry PresentationIAM1363 is a potential best-in-class type II HER2 inhibitor with broad activity across HER2 mutants, >5,000-fold selectivity over EGFR, preferential tumor enrichment, and robust brain penetrance. Enabled by Iambic’s AI/ML and high-throughput platform, IAM1363 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1b clinical trial.
Improving The Efficiency And Effectiveness By Implementing FAIR Guiding Principles For Pharmaceutical R&D Data
Industry PresentationDrug Discovery a:head: A Human Brain Organoid Screening Platform
Industry PresentationChemical Space Generation, Exploration & Visualisation
Industry PresentationFutures Of Small Molecule Discovery
Industry PresentationMultitarget Ligands for Multifactorial Diseases
Industry Presentation• Multifactorial diseases: cancer, neurological disease (Parkinson's, Alzheimer’s), microbial illness
• Multiple Targeting Drugs/Ligands (MTD) approach: Hybrid and Chimeric Drugs
• Azaheterocyclic derivatives for multifactorial diseases: design, synthesis, and biological activity of hybrid and chimeric derivatives
Smarter, Faster, Leaner: Digitalising Drug Product Development
Panel Discussion• Integrating PAT, digital twins & AI for continuous workflows
• Real-world impact: productivity gains and decision-making power
• Balancing innovation with regulatory compliance
Functional Genomics Approaches For Target Identification
Industry PresentationDrugging The Undruggables: TPD Approaches
Industry PresentationFunctional ADC Safety Profiling with iPSC-Derived Human Tissues
Solution Provider PresentationNext-Gen Payloads To Address ADC Resistance
Industry PresentationAI Case Study
Industry PresentationDesigning For Impact – Moving Beyond Inhibitors
KeynoteInnovative High-Throughput qPCR & TSA Platforms:New Opportunities in Drug Discovery
Industry PresentationHigh-throughput technologies provide a robust foundation for the discovery of novel lead structures. At Bayer, we have developed advanced platforms for high-throughput quantitative PCR (qPCR) and thermal shift assays (TSA). Case studies demonstrate how these technologies empowered successful hit identification. In addition, strategies for designing diverse and effective compound libraries are discussed, highlighting their critical role in successful screening campaigns.
High Throughput Biomarker Analysis
Industry PresentationDeveloping GAL3 Degraders For The Treatment Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Industry PresentationGal3 is a secreted protein know to induce inflammation and amyloid aggregation in the brain. It is expressed in microglia with the DAM phenotype, and secretion mediates neuronal cell death. We hypothesise that inhibiting or degrading Gal3 may be protective in Alzheimer’s disease, and could represent an effective way to maintain microglial homeostasis in the brain.
Hit To Lead: How Are You Optimising Your Screening Strategy In 2026?
Panel DiscussionDEL Screening For Small Molecule Hit ID
Industry PresentationDNA-encoded Library (DEL) screening is widely recognized across academia and industry as a powerful hit-finding platform. This presentation will feature Amgen’s DEL screening platform and include examples of DEL applications within Amgen’s small molecule portfolio.
Lessons from Building an AI-Ready Data Platform for Target Discovery
Industry PresentationFunctional genomics is exploding in drug discovery, making it hard to turn diverse, complex as-says into actionable insights. We addressed this at Novo Nordisk via an end-to-end data platform that guarantees compliance with a FAIR-by-design approach and unlocks immediate value through frictionless access, enabling confident decision-making from trusted data.
Solution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationAdvanced Screening Approaches
Industry PresentationQUANTRO developed a Transcriptomic Discovery Platform that matches time-resolved transcriptional profiles triggered by small molecules with those from acute target degradation. This approach identifies direct inhibitors, modulators, and degraders of previously undruggable transcription factors and signaling nodes, with active discovery campaigns against c-MYC and YAP/TEAD.
Generative Molecular Design – Advancing From Hits To Leads
Industry PresentationGenerative AI streamlines early-phase drug discovery by unifying molecular design and synthetic planning to navigate chemical space more efficiently than traditional methods. Integrated with high-speed experimentation, these frameworks accelerate design-make-test-analyze cycles. To address data limitations, active learning strategically identifies the most impactful experiments, while deep interactome learning ensures the design of novel bioactive molecules with desired properties from scratch. Collectively, these technologies provide a predictive filter that optimizes the path from initial discovery to viable leads by prioritizing the most promising molecular designs.
Focused Innovation Through Partnerships
Industry Presentation• Introduction to Lundbeck External Research & Innovation
• Recent examples of building partnerships with Lundbeck
Novel Hit Identification Strategies
Industry PresentationModeling Ternary Complexes With Molecular Glues: Making Sense Of A Sticky Situation
Solution Provider PresentationFostering Cross-Sector Partnerships To Accelerate Drug Discovery
Roundtable Discussion• The future of partnering & what to prioritise
• Bringing together AI & data cross-functionally to drive drug discovery
Assays Around The Clock: Autonomous Robotics In Merck's Early Drug Discovery
Industry PresentationAutonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) transform research by automating routine tasks and extending operational hours to nights and weekends. We are implementing our first AMR, integrating liquid handlers, incubators, and readers for fully automating any microtiter plate assay in our Lab of the Future. This pioneering solution will boost productivity and enhance research outcome
Preclinical Discovery for Novel ADCs
Industry PresentationIntegrating Multi-Omics Data To Understand Disease Mechanisms
Industry PresentationPreclinical Characterisation Of IPN60300, A First-In-Class Antibody-Drug Conjugate For Cancer Therapy
Industry PresentationChemical Biology Approaches for Drug Target Discovery and Validation
Industry PresentationChemical biology connects biological insight to therapeutic opportunity. This talk highlights how chemical probes and targeted protein degradation, including PROTACs, interrogate protein function in cells to support target discovery and validation. Examples show how orthogonal perturbations reveal mechanisms, clarify causality, and uncover biology beyond inhibition, informing targets, leads, and biomarkers.
From DEL Screening to Structure and Function: Detergent‑Free Discovery of Native Ion Channel Modulators
Industry PresentationWe present the first published DNA‑encoded library selection against an ion channel, enabled by detergent‑free Salipro® lipid nanoparticles. Using PANX1, we identify functional small‑molecule modulators validated by SPR, cryo‑EM, and electrophysiology, demonstrating a robust DEL workflow for challenging membrane proteins.
To Be Confirmed
Industry PresentationToward a foundational shift in AI-driven drug discovery: improving co-folding models with federated networks
Industry PresentationTarget 2035 – Accelerating Drug Discovery Through Partnerships
Industry PresentationData-Driven Drug Development
Industry PresentationDeveloping the next generation of Targeted Radionuclide Therapy for the benefit of cancer patients
Industry PresentationStrategies for Building a Forward-Looking, Value-Driven IP Portfolio
Roundtable Discussion• Tailoring IP portfolio architecture to therapeutic modality (from small molecules to complex biologics)
• The IP paradox in AI-driven drug discovery (inventorship, confidentiality, ownership)
The Future Of Protein Degradation: Beyond PROTACs & Molecular Glues
Panel Discussion• Expanding target scope
• Resistance mechanisms
• Clinical pipeline readiness
• New effectors for TPD
• Safety & toxicity concerns
Generative AI For Real World Evidence
Industry PresentationThe Next Generation Platform For Cereblon-Directing Molecular Glue Degrader Discovery
Industry PresentationWhile large strides have been made towards de novo design of molecular glue degraders (MGDs), library screening of cereblon ligands remains essential. We present here our MGD discovery platform that combines a hypothesis-driven second-generation molecular glue library with high-throughput deep proteomics screening. The screening data for >4,000 compounds will be discussed and exemplified with several degraders of novel neosubstrates with non-canonical ternary complex binding mode, as determined by cryo-EM.
Combining In Vitro & Mathematical Modelling To Predict Efficacy
Industry PresentationFrom Data Silos to Connected Knowledge: Accelerating Tech Transfers Through End‑to‑End Digitalisation
Industry PresentationWe have cutting‑edge AI but ten‑year‑old data habits. This talk shares real lessons from a 3,000+ parameter tech transfer journey: why tools alone don't fix fragmented knowledge, how a process‑first mindset and data readiness are essential, and why connecting a knowledge platform to manufacturing systems is a trust and culture challenge, not a technical one.
Confounding Factors In Targeted Degradation Of Short-Lived Proteins
Industry PresentationOrganoids and advanced vitro models: improving translation and replacing the use of animals
Industry PresentationLab Digitalisation & AI
Industry PresentationDiscovery of FKBP12-Based Competitive Molecular Glues
Industry PresentationCompetitive molecular glues hold great promise to tackle challenging intracellular targets, but known examples were largely identified serendipitously. Here we present systematic approaches for the discovery of FKBP-assisted molecular glues and present the CellTrap effect as a general mechanism to enhance the cellular potency of these modalities.
How Can We Leverage All Pre-Clinical Information To Inform The First In Human Trial?
Panel Discussion• PK, safety & biomarker data
• Clinical relevance of models
• Leveraging literature vs datasets
• Personalised medicine
• Regulatory considerations
Solution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationInnovative Functional Groups In Medicinal Chemistry To Accelerate Drug Discovery
Industry Presentation- Medicinal chemists are challenged to discover drugs for increasingly difficult targets, while reducing the time towards clinical candidate selection
- The more functional groups we can utilize in compound design, the higher our chances might be to succeed
- This presentation will highlight emerging functional groups in medicinal chemistry such as the N-trifluoromethyl group and demonstrate how they can be strategically applied to optimize for example potency, metabolic stability, and oral absorption
- Expect to leave this session with some inspiring new chemical features and data supporting their application to optimize the properties of compound series, generate IP, and accelerate drug discovery
Where Smart Capital Meets Science: Investing In The Next Wave Of Innovation & AI In Drug Discovery & Q&A Session
Panel Discussion• How investors evaluate emerging drug discovery technologies
o AI in drug discovery
• What drives funding decisions in a shifting biotech market
• Where capital is flowing next
• What drives founding decisions?
Solution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationFrom Discovery To Development: Making Partnerships Work
Industry PresentationChemical Probes As Drivers Of Phenotypic Screening And Discovery
Industry PresentationPractical Steps To Maximise AI Value In Drug Discovery - From Algorithm To Adoption
Solution Provider PresentationMaximising AI’s impact in drug discovery requires practical tools that empower scientists. It also necessitates a focus on the implementation of proven algorithms and organisational change. Using case study examples from our StarDrop and Cerella platforms we show how AI’s value can be demonstrated.
AI-Enhanced, Chemically Aware Workflows for Next-Generation Drug Discovery
Solution Provider PresentationCDD Vault is a secure, cloud-based platform that unifies chemistry and bioassay data across ELNs, registration systems, and analysis tools to drive reproducibility, collaboration, and AI/ML readiness.
FAIR Data Management In Labs Of The Future
Industry PresentationMulti-Omics Technologies For Novel Target Discovery
Industry PresentationNon Degrading Molecular Glues - Insights on Molecular Interactions for Inhibiting PPIs and GTPases
Industry Presentation- Non-Degrading molecular glues inhibit protein targets through formation of a ternary complex. In this talk, our development of macrocyclic molecular glues that recruits FKBP12 will be discussed in context of inhibiting PPIs and other target classes.
- The structural basis for inhibiting PPIs will be shown through X-Ray structural data of ternary complexes with disruption of the TRADD-TRAF2 PPI being detailed.
- Learning from structural based drug design using ternary crystal structures will be presented.
Modality matters: overcoming the challenges of targeting EphA2
Industry Presentation• Bicycle Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company developing constrained bicyclic (Bicycle®) peptides.
• Properties of Bicycle® molecules suit precision therapies and could overcome challenges of targeting EphA2 – a valuable target in oncology characterized by Ph1 failures.
• Nuzefatide pevedotin, a Bicycle Drug Conjugate®, shows a differentiated preclinical profile and is currently in Ph2
Making Automation Smarter At AstraZeneca
Industry PresentationAdvancing Industry & Academic Partnerships To Accelerate Drug Discovery
Panel DiscussionAdventures In Precision Medicine For Cancer: 25 Years After The Genome Sequence
Keynote• Oncology leads the way in genome-based medicine with estimates of at least 90 FDA approvals requiring biomarkers for optimal patient selection – almost half of all drugs authorized since 1998
• In discovery, ‘Drugging the Cancer Genome’ is being further enabled by technologies such as CRISPR, chemical probes, structure/fragment-based design, degraders (PROTACs and molecular glues), immune-targeting and AI/machine learning approaches
• In clinical development, use of the ‘Pharmacological Audit Trail’ framework is being enhanced by cheaper next generation sequencing, liquid biopsy, and innovative PK/PD modelling
From Proximity Induction To Degradation: Advancing Molecular Degraders At Merck Healthcare
Industry PresentationTargeted protein degradation presents a significant opportunity to tackle previously undruggable targets by utilizing the cell's proteasomal system to eliminate disease-causing proteins.
At Merck Healthcare KGaA, we have established specialized workstreams for bifunctional PROTACs and molecular glue degraders.
Examples of our hit identification from PPI, Del and hit characterization will be presented, highlighting our tailored assay suite to optimize these modalities in our drug discovery pipeline.
Pushing The Boundaries Of Target Discovery In 2026 & Beyond
Panel Discussion• How to make and de-risk decisions in drug discovery -target/indication prioritisation
• Accelerating discovery with AI-driven technologies
• Potential bottlenecks & future outlook
Covalent Protein Kinase Inhibitors Targeting Cysteine And Beyond
Industry PresentationProtein kinases have been pursued as drug targets for over 20 years, but a significant part of the human “kinome” has not yet been addressed with specific inhibitors, despite its likely medical relevance. Our research group focuses on the identification of new covalent inhibitors for both validated and understudied protein kinases.
In our recent work, we and our collaborators have employed intact-protein mass spectrometry (MS) screens to explore kinase-inhibitor-like covalent libraries equipped with cysteine and tyrosine/lysine reactive “warheads”. These screening efforts have yielded a variety of promising hits, which were validated by complementary methods, including thermal shift assays, biochemical enzyme assays, cellular assays, and X-ray crystallography.
My presentation will detail our progress in extending the range of known covalent protein kinase inhibitors, especially focusing on new compounds targeting lesser-studied kinases. Additionally, I will discuss non-conventional binding modes we have identified, providing a basis for ongoing medicinal chemistry optimization.
The Toxicity Challenge: What’s Holding Back ADC Innovation?
Panel Discussion• Antibody engineering to improve toxicity
• Balancing potency vs tolerability in payload design
• Will novel formats improve the toxicity profile?
Human Translatable Cellular Models & Pre-Clinical Research
Industry PresentationAn Advanced ADC Platform & Design Principles
Industry PresentationRethinking The Pre-Clinical Modelling
Industry PresentationUtilising AI In Hit Identification
Industry PresentationBuilding A Truly Connected, Automated Discovery Lab
Panel Discussion• Bridging silos between devices, data platforms & teams
• Achieving interoperability: tech, teams, and standards
• Scaling automation from proof-of-concept to full lab adoption
Application of Affinity Prediction (ABFEP) to Fragment Screening – Retrospective Analysis and Future Application
Industry PresentationFive Requirements For AI‑Ready Pharma Data Curation
Solution Provider PresentationPharma executives and managers are racing to apply AI across drug discovery and development. But while the possibilities of AI advances can be very promising, many efforts falter before bringing home dependable, real‑world performance. This session outlines five essential elements for preparing your data, systems, and scientific workflows for AI success. You’ll learn why strong data governance, complete metadata, interoperable platforms, resilient model‑management processes, and scientific validation are critical for trustworthy, reproducible results. By aligning these elements early, you'll enable faster decisions, fewer surprises, and you'll develop AI tools that deliver more consistent value across the drug development lifecycle.
To Be Confirmed
Industry PresentationTBC
Solution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationSolution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationAdvanced Medicinal Chemistry Techniques
Industry PresentationSolution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationSolution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationTo Be Confirmed
Industry PresentationTBC
Solution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationLeading The Future: Women Driving Innovation In Drug Discovery & Development
Panel Discussion• Career journeys and lessons from senior women in pharma, biotech, and academia
• Navigating leadership challenges, mentoring, and fostering inclusive R&D teams
• Breaking silos: cross-functional collaboration to accelerate drug development
• Inspiring the next generation of women scientists and leaders
Enabling Challenging Targets: Development of AS-MS and Integration with Other Screening Technologies
Industry PresentationAffinity selection-mass spectrometry (AS-MS), combined with orthogonal biophysical methods (HTRF and TSA), provides a powerful platform for identifying binders against challenging targets such as membrane proteins and for protein-protein interactions. Integrated approaches accelerate hit identification and enable the generation of first tool compounds for previously intractable targets.
From Device To Local Dose At The Site Of Action: In Silico Trials For Inhaled Drug Development
Innovation Presentation• Drug deposition determines efficacy, yet the local dose at the site of action is rarely quantified during development • Twinhale simulates aerosol transport and local deposition in patient-specific lungs using CT-derived anatomy, breathing patterns, and in vitro aerosol data • The platform enables virtual cohort studies and variability analysis prior to clinical trials • Applications include device selection, dose translation to humans, and supporting bioequivalence or bridging strategies using modelintegrated evidence
Solution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationStart Up Presentation
Innovation PresentationSolution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationPUREfrex® – The Re-Built Protein Factory
Solution Provider PresentationPUREfrex® is a rebuilt, cell-free protein expression system that redefines how proteins are produced and explored. Its modular architecture offers researchers precise control at the molecular level, making it exceptionally adaptable to a wide range of applications—from expressing challenging biologics to enabling high-throughput workflows. Whether you're working on therapeutic proteins, novel modalities, or synthetic biology prototypes, PUREfrex® provides a flexible and efficient foundation. When paired with AI/ML platforms, it becomes a powerful accelerator for innovation in protein engineering and discovery.
The Drug Delivery Innovation Centre (DDiC) - A Sparkling Example On Cross-Industry Collaboration On Drug Delivery
Industry PresentationSolution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationWhy DEL? Barriers And Opportunities In Data-Driven Drug Discovery
Solution Provider PresentationExploiting modern data science techniques in drug discovery requires platforms that generate data of sufficient scope and quality. DNA-encoded library (DEL) screening is one such data-intensive platform. In this talk, the hallmarks of effective utilization of DEL will be examined, and successful cases studies shared.
Targeted Glues™, A New Class of Degraders That Recruit Novel E3 Ligases
Industry Presentation• Traditional targeted protein degradation approaches require high affinity binders to E3 ligases to generate PROTACs or molecular glues, which limits the scope of E3 ligases regularly used
• At Amphista we take a target first approach to degrader discovery, generating glue like molecules based on target binding ligands. This has enabled generation of Targeted Glue™ degraders against high value targets using three non CRBN/VHL ligases
• Learnings from our pipeline programs will be presented, demonstrating the advantages of Targeted Glues and our approach to compound optimization
From Islands to Ecosystems: Interoperability as the Foundation for Lab-in-the-Loop IT Architectures
Industry PresentationWhat does it take to move from automated workflows to autonomous R&D cycles?
This talk explores the architectural requirements for lab-in-the-loop concepts and shows how interoperability standards like SiLA enable seamless integration, scalability, and real-time interaction between AI models and laboratory infrastructures.
Catalysing Breakthroughs: Bayer’s Incubator Ecosystem For Startups
Industry Presentation1. Bayer Co.Lab is Bayer’s global incubator network supporting early-stage life science and biotech ventures
2. With fully equipped labs, shared infrastructure, a global community, and access to experts and partners, it helps founders bring their brilliant ideas to life - while reducing operational and financial overhead
3. With a global footprint of facilities in strategic innovation hotspots Cambridge (USA), Berlin (Germany), Beijing and Shanghai (China), and Kobe (Japan) combined with virtual members from around the globe, we have a portfolio of more than 30 highly innovative startups working in diverse disease and technology areas
4. A dynamic community, the expertise of pharma, and no strings attached
To Be Confirmed
Industry PresentationStart Up Presentation
Innovation PresentationStart Up Presentation
Innovation PresentationNeoMag: Bringing Mechanical Reality to Drug Discovery
Innovation PresentationCurrent in vitro models ignore the mechanical forces that shape every biological process, from tumor growth to neurodegeneration, leading to poor clinical translation and costly drug failures. NeoMag is the first commercial technology enabling non-invasive, programmable mechanical stimulation of cells and tissues. Backed by an EIC Transition grant and validated at UCSF, Imperial College, and UCL, we are building the standard tool for mechanobiology-driven drug discovery, opening a new category in preclinical research.
Start Up Presentation
Innovation PresentationPeripherical-Only, Non-Addicted Nanotech Based Drug Delivery – Building Blocks For A Strategy To Prevent Opioid Addiction
Innovation PresentationSolution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationStart Up Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationClosing The Gap: Patient-Derived Microtumours (PDMs) In Precision Oncology And Preclinical Drug Development
Industry PresentationPatient-derived microtumours (PDMs), isolated from surgical tumour resections, preserve the native tumour microenvironment, including structural heterogeneity and immune interactions. This platform allows for physiologically relevant, in vitro evaluation of lead candidates, such as advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) and immunotherapies, while supporting the identification of personalised, patient-specific cancer treatment strategies.
Solution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationThe Rise And Fall Of SARM1 Base-Exchange Inhibitors
Industry PresentationIntegrating iPSC-Based Disease Modelling Into The DZNE Translational Pipeline
Industry PresentationModulating Sleep As An Entry Point To Treating Neurodegenerative Disorders
Industry PresentationIs The Neurometabolic Approach The Missing Link In Neurodegenerative Disease Treatment?
Industry PresentationMoving Toward A Definition For Neuroinflammation
Panel Discussion• Exploring what we really mean by neuroinflammation
• Highlighting key cellular and immune features involved in brain inflammation
• Considering how clearer definitions could guide future research and treatment
NIDB-3101: A Third Generation Anti-Tau Biparatopic Antibody Designed For Enhanced Therapeutic Efficacy In AD
Industry Presentation• NIDB-3101 binds two distinct Tau epitopes and has Fc mutations for enhanced half-life
• NIDB-3101 binds a larger variety of Tau entities from AD brain tissue than benchmark Abs and robustly inhibits AD brain-derived seeds induced intracellular Tau aggregation
• The combination of sub-nanomolar affinity and cellular activity together with enhanced half-life leads to a modelled lower human efficacious dose than benchmark
Closed-Door Panel Discussion: Partnerships, Platforms Or Acquisitions: What Is The Winning Model For Brain Health Innovation?
Panel Discussion• Pharma-biotech-academia collaboration models that actually work
• When to partner vs acquire vs build internally
• Data-sharing in a competitive landscape
• Public-private partnerships in Europe: success stories & failures
• Regional differences – US vs EU
o Scaling in Europe
Neuroscience At Servier – Case Studies From The Clinic
Industry PresentationUsing Experimental Medicine To Accelerate Target Selection For Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis
Industry Presentation• Theoretical position for intracellular kinase modulation
• Experimental modelling to validate target/drug probe
• Initial data in patients
What Is Next For Neurodegenerative Diseases
Industry PresentationNeurodegenerative diseases remain one of the most urgent unmet challenges in medicine, marked by rising prevalence and limited disease-modifying treatments. Despite decades of research, progress has been incremental, with many therapies addressing symptoms rather than underlying biology. However, advances in molecular targeting, biomarker-driven diagnosis, and precision delivery are beginning to shift the landscape. The next phase will likely be defined by earlier intervention, combination approaches, and technologies capable of reaching previously inaccessible regions of the brain.
Solution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationPotential first-in-class antibody for Parkinson’s disease targeting the prostaglandin pathway
Industry PresentationSolution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationIs Neuroscience The Next Oncology? Industry Trends In Therapeutic Focus
Panel Discussion• Key drivers behind renewed pharma and biotech interest (e.g., Alzheimer’s approvals, novel mechanisms, better biomarkers)
• Understanding the underlying biology of neurological indications
• How can we get better in our understanding the full picture of the diseases?
Brain Health: A Call For Global Action & Unity
KeynoteNeuroimmune Targeting: From iPSC Models To Data-Driven Insights
Panel Discussion• Integration of iPSC-derived cell models to explore neuroimmune mechanisms and validate emerging targets
• Translational value and challenges of modulating neuroinflammatory targets like TREM2 and RIPK1
• Sex specific differences
The Landmark Consortium
Industry PresentationThe Landmark Project is a large public-private partnership supported by multiple global Pharma to identify disease-modifying drug targets and predictive biomarkers for Parkinson's disease risk and progression. The study is profiling hundreds of post-mortem human brains each with subject-matched CSF across digitized advanced neuropathology and multiple omics (WGS, scRNA-seq, proteomics, lipidomics etc) for genetically-anchored causal inference.
Leveraging iPSC Models To Understand Neuroinflammatory Targets
Industry PresentationUsing iPSC-derived microglia models, this presentation explores neuroinflammatory mechanisms in Alzheimer’s disease. We examine how risk SNPs, including APOE-dependent and independent variants, alter microglial responses, and how female-specific X chromosome aging and escape genes shape disease phenotypes, neuronal survival, and sporadic Alzheimer’s disease risk in females.
A Human Stem Cell Derived Micorglia Single Cell Atlas - State Transitions In Response To Challenge
Industry PresentationGeneration of single cell RNA seq altas of iPSC microglia from 20 prodromal AD donors
Microglial states and their transition in response to different challenges
Molecular pathways induced by challenge
Solution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationSolution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationBack To The Future – New Tools And Strategies For Modeling Neurodegenerative And Neuropathological Processes
Solution Provider Presentation
Announcement of Young Scientist Poster Presentation Awards by ELRIG & Start of Wine Tasting Activities
Morning Break & Refreshments
Morning Break & Refreshments
Solution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationA Novel OncoLytic Peptide platform - Immunogenic Cell Death initiation for Immune Cell Recruitment
Industry Presentation• Novel Oncolytic Peptide therapies for hard to treat cancers
• Membrane-Lytic Peptides and immunogenic cell death
• Reprogramming the local tumour microenvironment for systemic response
Unlocking Non Traditional Delivery Routes For Small Molecule Therapeutics
Industry Presentation• Why intranasal delivery is compelling for small molecules
• Formulation and device considerations unique to intranasal products
• Development, safety, and translational challenges
The Automation & AI Landscape In 2026
KeynoteThe phrase “Lab-in-the-loop” is an often-used term. But what does it really mean? How far along are we on our journey towards autonomous science?
This presentation will focus on how Recursion is operating at the interface between the physical world and the virtual world. In particular, the infrastructure required to enable agentic orchestration of the AI-driven, iterative, design-make-test and learn testing that refines small molecule therapeutics.
Small Molecule Formulations & Dosage Form With Patient Friendly Delivery Considerations
Industry Presentation• Considerations for Patient-Centric Product Development
• Acceleration Strategies for Small Molecule Development
• Trade-off considerations: “Right first time” vs “Fast to patients”
Oligonucleotide Delivery & Utilising sRNA Delivery Methods In Alternative Modalities
Keynote
Lunch Break
Afternoon Break & Refreshments
End of Event
Lunch Break
Including Scheduled Demos in the AI & Digitisation Zone by AI Platform Companies
Solution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationSeparation Of PS Diastereomers In GalNAc-Conjugated siRNA By IP‑RP, AEX & HILIC
Industry PresentationThe utility of ion-pair reversed-phase (IP-RP), anion exchange (AEX), and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) methods is assessed for phosphorothioate (PS) diastereomer-pair separation.
The determination of diastereomeric composition in the antisense strand of an siRNA is demonstrated.
The deliberate change of the diastereomeric composition could be made detectable.
In manufactured batches of the same sequence comparable diastereomer is demonstrated.
Opportunities And Challenges In Developing And Manufacturing Radiopharmaceuticals
Industry Presentation• Expanding theranostic applications
• Complex manufacturing, isotope supply constraints, and short half-life logistics
• Regulatory hurdles, GMP compliance, and specialised infrastructure requirements
Brain-Targeted Drug Delivery For Neurodegenerative Therapies
Panel DiscussionRecent technological advancements & platforms
Non-viral platforms
Brain-shuttles
Predicting Future Successes: What Is Next for Modalities in CNS Diseases?
Clinically relevant biomarkers and new in-vitro assays
Overcoming Scientific And Technological Challenges Of Formulating Oral GLP-1 Therapies
Panel DiscussionThis panel will explore the scientific and technological challenges of formulating oral GLP-1 therapies, including absorption enhancement, stability, bioavailability, and patient-centric design
• Formulation strategies
• Emerging delivery platforms
• Blood Brain Barrier challenges
• Translational hurdles
• Future directions shaping next-generation oral peptide therapeutics
Exploring Alternative Routes Of Administration For Biologics Beyond IV
Roundtable DiscussionLiposomal Formulation Development: Safety And Efficacy Assessment
Industry PresentationHow Innovations Are Driving The Field Of Drug Delivery?
KeynoteThe presentation will discuss the challenges and opportunities in formulating biologics. In particular, it will focus on the use of ionic liquids to address bioavailability and solubility challenges in high-concentration subcutaneous biologics. It will also cover how effective ex vivo assessment models can accelerate formulation discovery and development.
Physicochemical Constraints And Opportunities In Oral Peptide Development
Industry PresentationpH Gradient Driven Loading Of Anticancer Drug Into Niosomes With Bromocresol Green As A Visual Indicator
Industry Presentation• Studying the effect of different co-surfactants on stabilising the niosomal membrane
• Investigating the influence of niosomes' compositions on formation of a pH gradient
• Visualisation of pH gradients via pH indicator bromocresol green (BCG) as a novel encapsulated model molecule to visually investigate the ability of niosomes to entrap drugs through active loading
• Application of the most optimised BCG niosomal formulation to encapsulate a therapeutic anticancer drug molecule via pH gradient active loading
NAMS Approaches For Ethical Drug Development
Roundtable Discussion• Non-animal based in vitro models for efficacy
• Digital twin approaches for in silico clinical screening
siRNA Therapies Utilising Lipid Nanoparticles
Industry PresentationCell & Gene Delivery Platforms & Technologies
Industry PresentationFormulating Next-Gen Biotherapeutics: Strategies To Enhance Stability, Quality, And Scalability
Panel Discussion• Stabilising complex modalities
• Evaluating non-traditional formulation strategies — including lyophilisation, co-formulation, microencapsulation, or amorphous systems
Delivery of Biologics for Ophthalmology to the Anterior and Posterior of the Eye.
Industry PresentationRetention and delivery of biologics to the anterior and posterior of the eye remains challenging due to ocular anatomy. Topical application of a hydrocolloidal formulation achieves therapeutic delivery of anti-VEGF to the eye posterior, potentially overcoming the need for needle-based delivery. Additional applications and possible mechanisms will be discussed.
From Molecule To Mouth: The Innovation Behind Oral GLP‑1
Industry Presentation• Key scientific breakthroughs enabling oral GLP‑1 (enhancers, formulation, devices)
• Translational challenges and clinical proof-of-concept
• Next-generation strategies for improving efficacy and scalability
Solution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationEx-Vivo Platform Development For Topical Treatments
Industry PresentationSolution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationSolution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationSolution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationFrom Expert Silos To Enterprise Capabilities: Democratising Modeling & Simulation In Pharmaceutical Development
Industry Presentation• Democratisation of M&S: From expert tools to self-service simulation app
• Empowering formulation scientists with validated first-principle models
• Enabling virtual experiments before lab work to accelerate development
mRNA Design With Lipid Nanoparticles & AI Assistance
Industry PresentationRegulatory Landscape Of Smart Devices
Industry PresentationPeptide Delivery Reimagined: Navigating Challenges And Seizing Opportunities For Oral Delivery
Industry Presentation• Challenges of GLP-1 formulations ensuring stability, permeability, solubility enhancement and overall effectiveness of the final product
• Key formulation strategy to enhance oral administration of peptides
Formulation Development and Delivery of Novel Bi-specifics
Industry PresentationImmTAX biotherapeutics redirect T cells to target disease-specific antigens with high potency and specificity. This presentation outlines their mechanism of action and our formulation development strategy, emphasising early optimisation of physical, colloidal and chemical stability. We discuss trade-offs and demonstrate how ultra-low dose requirements are enabled through IV dilution workflows.
Prediction Of Longterm Stability Of Monoclonal Antibodies Using Innovative Biophysical And Data Science Tools
Industry Presentation• Advanced biophysical characterisation to understand degradation pathways and stability risks
• Integration of data science and predictive modelling to forecast long-term stability
• Accelerating developability assessment and formulation decision-making through in-silico insights
Stopping Nitrosamine Formation in Crystalline Drug Products
Industry Presentation• Crystal defects have been shown as the primary cause of nitrosamine formation in ranitidine hydrochloride
• Recrystallisation of ranitidine hydrochloride can essentially stop the formation of nitrosamines on storage by eliminating crystal defects
• This technology can be used in conjunction with traditional nitrosamine-reducing approaches to further mitigate nitrosamine formation for all crystalline drugs
From Amorphous To Manufacturable: Precipitation And Continuous Processing
Industry Presentation• Direct precipitation was selected to allow production of manageable Drug Substance (DS) amorphous
• Continuous DS processing implemented although scale-up and materials challenges resulted in the need for a mitigation plan
• Aiming to strengthened DS–Drug Product interface by generating consistent physical attributes
Strategies For High-Concentration Subcutaneous Antibody Therapeutics
Industry Presentation• Challenges and opportunities in developing high-dose antibody formulations suitable for subcutaneous administration
• Overview of innovative formulation and delivery approaches for high-concentration biologics
• Key considerations related to manufacturability, scalability, and regulatory expectations for next-generation antibody therapeutics
Formulation Development For Established & Emerging Modalities
Industry PresentationSolution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationSolution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationJekyll, Hyde, and the Molecule in Between: A Formulation Mystery Solved Early
Solution Provider PresentationDrug development can feel like detective work – especially when a molecule changes character unexpectedly. Through the lens of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, this session uncovers the clues hidden in solubility, stability, and solid state behaviour that only strong preformulation practice can reveal. Come for the literary twist; stay for the science that saves programs time, cost, and complexity.
Using Dissolution-Permeation Assays to Understand Various Aspects of Oral Drug Absorption
Solution Provider PresentationAchieving effective absorption and therapeutic efficacy is critical for the success of oral small molecule drugs. To optimize performance, a deep understanding of key biopharmaceutic properties—such as solubility, dissolution, and membrane permeability—is essential, as these parameters directly impact bioavailability and clinical outcomes.
This session will present innovative in-vitro methodologies designed to enhance developability assessments of small molecules and emphasis will be placed on dynamic dissolution and absorption models, which, when integrated with mechanistic modeling, provide valuable insights into rate-limiting steps in oral absorption. Selected case studies will illustrate the impact of food on oral drug absorption, the possible benefits of using nanoparticle formulations, and the impact of dose level on altering the mechanism for oral absorption when comparing pre-clinical to clinical outcome.
Phosphodiesterase inhibition's effect on oral bioavailability of acylated peptides in conjunction with SNAC
Industry Presentation• Introduction to enhancer based delivery of macromolecules
• Our hypothesis around PDE inhibitors for improving bioavailability of oral peptides
• In vitro selection of formulations
• Preclinical in vivo testing and selection of lead formulation
• Clinical testing of the lead formulations
Solution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationSolution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationSolution Provider Presentation
Solution Provider PresentationParticle Engineering To Drive Sustainability
Industry PresentationSPOT On - Boosting Targeted Lipid Nanoparticles Via Site-Specific Conjugation Strategy
Industry PresentationNext Gen Drug Delivery at MERCK KGaA developed a unique system for activation and subsequent immobilization of binders at LNP surface for cell specific oligonucleotide delivery. This Site-specific Protein Optimization for Targeting (SPOT^TM) technology allows for the generation of LNPs with outstanding targeting and transfection efficiency in vitro and in vivo.
Closed-Door Panel Discussion: Delivering Therapeutics That Work – From Modality To Patient
Panel Discussion• Designing for delivery early: integrating molecule, modality, and delivery strategy from preclinical stages
• Route of administration as a strategic lever: choosing and optimising IV, SC, oral, and emerging routes for real-world use
• Breaking delivery barriers: tackling stability, bioavailability, targeting, and manufacturability challenges
• From innovation to implementation: which delivery technologies (AI, automation, digital tools) are truly improving clinical and commercial outcomes
Xphore For Extrahepatic Delivery Of RNAs
Industry Presentation-xPhore is a peptide based platform amenable to deliver most nucleic acid modalities, including siRNA, mRNA, circRNA and DNA
-xPhore delivers RNA/DNA to sites of inflammation without liver sequestration
-Modularity allows application in different indications
Using Untargeted Multi-Omics Methods To Improve siRNA Safety And Specificity
Industry PresentationThe Landscape & General Concepts Of Oral Delivery Of Peptides
Industry Presentation• Definition of oral biologics and delivery challenges
• Clinical and market landscape: a peptide-dominated reality
• Key biopharmaceutical barriers: stability and permeability
• Enabling technologies for oral peptide delivery
• Clinical case studies and lessons learned
• Strategic implications and future outlook
Predictive Stability Of Glycoconjugate Vaccine Using Advanced Kinetics Modeling And High-Throughput Screening
Industry PresentationIntegrating high-throughput screening with advanced kinetics modeling enables efficient, robust predictive stability modeling for glycoconjugate vaccines and this can be applied to other modalities as well. This approach uses minimal (analytical) resources, with high correlation between rapid assays and traditional methods, supporting accelerated drug product development when long-term data are scarce.
Seeing The Unseen: Advanced Characterisation Of Spray Dried Powders
Industry PresentationThis presentation explores how modern analytical techniques move beyond traditional bulk measurements to reveal individual particle properties. Through real case studies, it is shown how morphology, wall thickness, and particle level distributions provide deeper insight into spray dried and tabletted materials, enabling better formulation decisions, process understanding, and performance prediction.
1. In your experience, where have bulk powder properties been sufficient for decision‑making—and where have they clearly failed to predict clinical or manufacturability performance?
2. Which individual particle attribute do you believe most strongly impacts downstream pharmaceutical performance: morphology, internal structure, or particle‑to‑particle variability—and why?
Integration Of Advanced Kinetics Modeling Tool (AKM) In The Optimisation Of Bispecific Antibody Formulation Development
Industry PresentationIt is particularly important for biopharmaceutical companies developing and distributing fragile biomolecules to ensure the stability and activity of their products during long-term storage and shipment. In accordance with quality by design (QbD) principles, advanced kinetic modelling (AKM) has been successfully used to predict long-term product shelf-life, relying on Arrhenius-based kinetic models built from data generated in short-term accelerated stability studies.
In the case presented, AKM was used to support formulation selection. AKM predicted 3-year HMWs formation for the bispecific using only 6-month stability data on several prototypes.
This predictive approach allowed us to make the best-informed decision on the maximal concentration for commercial formulation lock in a context of significant aggregation compound.
Keeping Up With The Evolving Drug Delivery Landscape, Looking To The Future & Beyond
KeynoteCombination Products in the drug delivery has been evolving over time with traditional and more advanced delivery modalities adapting to treating patient’s needs. We will explore this evolution, highlight some advancements in drug delivery modalities and look at the changing landscape.
• Exploring the foundation of combination products
• Reviewing the evolving landscape and advancements in drug delivery
• Highlighting non-traditional routes of administration
Towards Digital Twins In The Development Of Small Molecule Pharmaceutical Processes
Roundtable Discussion• Multiphysics-based models
• AI/ML-based models
• Synchronisation with the physical counterpart
Multiphysics Simulations Combined With Physics Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) In The Development Of Pharmaceutical Processes
Industry PresentationMultiphysics simulations are highly effective for developing pharmaceutical processes, but their computational cost limits scalability. Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs), trained on multiphysics simulation data, can retain comparable detail and complexity while being far less computationally intensive, enabling faster development and highly scalable process modeling.
Improving Delivery Of Antibody–Oligo Conjugates With Endosomal Escape Capabilties
Industry PresentationFor large emerging modalities such as antibody–oligonucleotide conjugates with intracellular targets, efficacy is constrained not by tissue distribution or cellular uptake, but by intracellular availability at the site of action. We present an approach enabling productive intracellular delivery, linking exposure, cellular uptake, and endosomal escape to on-target delivery and functional target engagement, reframing delivery as the key determinant of pharmacological activity.
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