Agenda | Drug Discovery Conference Europe 2027, Basel

Event Schedule

Theme: The Next Era of Drug Discovery: New Biology, New Modalities & Intelligent R&D

8:00 – 8:50

Bright Start: Welcome Coffee, Registration & Itinerary Collection

8:50 – 8:55

Welcome Note from World BI

8:55 – 9:00

Chairperson Welcome Address

9:00 – 9:25

Opening Presentation: Advanced Biology & Multi-Omics: Decoding Disease Mechanisms for Better Target Discovery

Integrating genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics to understand disease biology
Using single-cell and spatial approaches to uncover cellular heterogeneity
Translating multi-omics insights into actionable therapeutic hypotheses

9:25 – 9:50

Keynote Presentation: AI & Machine Learning in Drug Discovery: From Data to Therapeutics

AI-driven target identification & validation
Machine learning for molecule design & optimization
Integrating AI with experimental drug discovery

9:50 – 10:05

Partner Slot 1: Reserved

10:05 – 10:55

Coffee Break & Networking Session

10:55 – 11:20

Presentation 1: Next-Generation Medicinal Chemistry: New Strategies for Designing Better Molecules

Advances in structure-based, fragment-based and computationally guided molecular design
Tackling challenging targets through covalent chemistry, macrocycles and other approaches
Balancing potency, selectivity, physicochemical properties and developability

11:20 – 11:40

Partner Slot 2

11:40 – 12:05

Deep Dive Session: Target Identification & Validation: Why good targets still failed?

Identifying novel and biologically relevant therapeutic targets
Validating targets using genetic, functional and pharmacological evidence
Reducing target-related uncertainty and late-stage failure

12:05 – 12:25

Partner Slot 3: Reserved

12:25 – 13:00

Problem Solution Matrix: De-Risking Molecules Early: Integrating DMPK, Safety & Developability into Discovery

Incorporating ADME, PK, safety and developability considerations earlier in lead optimisation
Identifying molecular liabilities before significant resources are committed
Improving candidate selection and reducing late-stage attrition

13:00 – 14:00

Luncheon and Networking

14:00 – 14:25

Presentation 2: Phenotypic Screening & Hit Discovery: From Cellular Response to New Therapeutic Opportunities

Comparing phenotypic and target-based approaches for identifying promising hits
Using high-content imaging and advanced cellular models to generate deeper biological insights
Moving from phenotypic hits to target identification, mechanism and lead discovery

14:25 – 14:40

Partner Slot 4

14:40 – 15:10

Strategic Discussion: Data Quality, Integration & Digital Technologies: Enabling Smarter Drug Discovery

Improving data quality & accessibility across diverse research sources to support reliable discovery decisions
Integrating diverse biological datasets to generate a more comprehensive view of disease biology and therapeutic opportunities
Leveraging digital technologies for discovery to accelerate analysis, collaboration and evidence-based decision-making

15:10 – 16:00

Coffee Break & Networking Session

16:00 – 16:25

Presentation 3: New Therapeutic Modalities: Expanding the Boundaries of What Is Druggable

Exploring targeted protein degradation, molecular glues, RNA therapeutics, ADCs and other emerging modalities
Matching therapeutic modality to target biology and mechanism of action
Overcoming challenges in selectivity, delivery, efficacy and development

16:25 – 16:40

Partner Slot 5: Reserved

16:40 – 17:10

Panel Discussion: From Better Biology to Better Medicines: Can We Make Drug Discovery More Predictive?

How advances in biology and multi-omics can improve target validation and reduce uncertainty in early discovery
Integrating computational approaches, screening, medicinal chemistry and early safety assessment to reduce failure
Improving decision-making and R&D strategies to make drug discovery more predictive and efficient

17:10 – 17:20

Chair Closing Remarks

17:20

Day 1 End

Theme: From Discovery to Patient Impact: Translational Science, De-Risking & Advanced Drug Development

8:00 – 8:50

Bright Start: Welcome Coffee, Registration & Itinerary Collection

8:50 – 9:00

Chair-person Welcome Address

9:00 – 9:25

Presentation 4: Human Relevant Models & Next-Generation Preclinical Science: Improving Translation from Bench to Patient

Advancing organoids, human tissues, 3D models and other human-relevant systems
Reducing reliance on models that poorly capture human disease biology
Integrating next-generation models into candidate selection and development decisions

9:25 – 9:40

Partner Slot 6: Reserved

9:40 – 10:00

Speed Networking Session: One Question, Many Insights!

10:00 – 10:50

Coffee Break & Networking Session

10:50 – 11:15

Presentation 5: Biologics & Novel Modalities: Expanding the Therapeutic Landscape

Advancing biologics and next-generation therapeutic platforms
Exploring novel modalities such as ADCs, RNA therapeutics and targeted protein degradation
Overcoming challenges in efficacy, selectivity, delivery and development

11:15 – 11:30

Partner Slot 7

11:30 – 12:10

Strategic Discussion: External Innovation & Strategic Partnerships: Accelerating Drug Discovery Through Collaboration

Identifying the right external technologies, platforms and capabilities to address internal discovery challenges
Building strategic partnerships across pharma, biotech, academia and technology providers
Managing external innovation effectively to accelerate development and reduce discovery risks

12:10 – 12:25

Partner Slot 8: Reserved

12:25 – 13:00

Panel Discussion: From Scientific Excellence to Patient Impact: Can Europe Close the Translational Gap?

Bridging the gap between Europe’s strong scientific research and successful clinical translation
Strengthening collaboration across academia, biotech, pharma and clinical research to accelerate development
Addressing regulatory, funding and infrastructure barriers that can delay innovative therapies reaching patients

13:00 – 14:00

Luncheon and Networking

14:00 – 14:15

Partner Slot 9

14:15 – 14:35

Presentation 6: Hit Identification & Screening: Accelerating the Journey from Screening to Lead Discovery

Advancing high-throughput and phenotypic screening approaches
Identifying and prioritising high-quality hits efficiently
Improving hit validation, confirmation and progression to lead optimisation

14:35 – 15:10

Panel Discussion: Biomarkers & Precision Medicine: Enabling More Targeted and Predictive Drug Development

Identifying biomarkers to understand disease biology and treatment response
Stratifying patients based on molecular and clinical characteristics
Using biomarker-driven insights to improve therapeutic development and clinical outcomes

15:10 – 16:00

Coffee Break & Networking Session

16:00 – 16:25

Co-Presentation: Funding & Budget Constraints: Navigating Financial Challenges in Drug Discovery

Managing limited R&D budgets across complex discovery programmes
Prioritising high-value projects and allocating resources effectively
Balancing innovation, risk and investment throughout the discovery process

16:25 – 17:10

Open Discussion: Translational Science & Predictive Preclinical Models: Bridging the Gap from Bench to Patient

Advancing human-relevant preclinical models to better predict clinical outcomes
Integrating translational data to strengthen candidate selection and development decisions
Reducing preclinical–clinical gaps and improving confidence in therapeutic programs

17:10 – 17:20

Chair Closing Remarks

17:20

Event Schedule

Theme: The Next Era of Drug Discovery: New Biology, New Modalities & Intelligent R&D

Bright Start: Welcome Coffee, Registration & Itinerary Collection

Welcome Note from World BI

Jose Suárez

Causaly

Chairperson Welcome Address

Soroush Safaei

Sanofi

Opening Presentation: Advanced Biology & Multi-Omics: Decoding Disease Mechanisms for Better Target Discovery

Elizaveta Solovyeva

Novartis Biomedical Research

Keynote Presentation: AI & Machine Learning in Drug Discovery: From Data to Therapeutics

Amir Feizi

Gero

Partner Slot 1: Reserved

James (Jim) Damewood, Ph.D., DABT, ERT

Affygility Solutions

Coffee Break & Networking Session

Presentation 1: Next-Generation Medicinal Chemistry: New Strategies for Designing Better Molecules

Olivier Querolle

FoRx Therapeutics AG

Partner Slot 2

Nirnith Devireddy

InSilicoMinds

Deep Dive Session: Target Identification & Validation: Why good targets still failed?

Maria Van Dongen

Allegria Therapeutics

Partner Slot 3: Reserved

Jose Suárez

Causaly

Problem Solution Matrix: De-Risking Molecules Early: Integrating DMPK, Safety & Developability into Discovery

James (Jim) Damewood, Ph.D., DABT, ERT

Affygility Solutions

Luncheon and Networking

Presentation 2: Phenotypic Screening & Hit Discovery: From Cellular Response to New Therapeutic Opportunities

Dr. Bebeka Cosandey

University Hospital Basel

Partner Slot 4

Ricardo Gaminha Pacheco

Insilico Medicine

Strategic Discussion: Data Quality, Integration & Digital Technologies: Enabling Smarter Drug Discovery

Dave Drodge

Roche

Coffee Break & Networking Session

Presentation 3: New Therapeutic Modalities: Expanding the Boundaries of What Is Druggable

Krzysztof Brzozka

Ryvu Therapeutics

Partner Slot 5: Reserved

Martin Schwill

Adularia

Panel Discussion: From Better Biology to Better Medicines: Can We Make Drug Discovery More Predictive?

Peyman Gifani

AI VIVO

Ramzi Temanni

Independent Advisor

Amir Feizi

Gero

Elizaveta Solovyeva

Novartis Biomedical Research

Chair Closing Remarks

Soroush Safaei

Sanofi

Day 1 End

Theme: From Discovery to Patient Impact: Translational Science, De-Risking & Advanced Drug Development

Bright Start: Welcome Coffee, Registration & Itinerary Collection

Chair-person Welcome Address

Soroush Safaei

Sanofi

Presentation 4: Human Relevant Models & Next-Generation Preclinical Science: Improving Translation from Bench to Patient

Dr. Bebeka Cosandey

University Hospital Basel

Partner Slot 6: Reserved

Jose Suárez

Causaly

Speed Networking Session: One Question, Many Insights!

Peyman Gifani

AI VIVO

Coffee Break & Networking Session

Presentation 5: Biologics & Novel Modalities: Expanding the Therapeutic Landscape