ELRIG UK announces keynote speakers for Drug Discovery 2024
From left to right:
– Melanie Leveridge, Chair, ELRIG UK, and Vice President Discovery Biology, AstraZeneca
– Ijeoma Uchegbu FMedSci, Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience, UCL, and CSO, Nanomerics
– Marcus Schindler PhD, CSO and Executive Vice President of Research and Early Development, Novo Nordisk
The European Laboratory Research & Innovation Group (ELRIG) UK has revealed the keynote speakers for its flagship conference, Drug Discovery 2024. The event, scheduled for 2-3 October at ExCeL London, will feature presentations from two distinguished scientists in the field of pharmaceutical research and development.
Keynote speakers
Professor Ijeoma Uchegbu FMedSci, a renowned expert in pharmaceutical nanoscience from University College London (UCL) and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at Nanomerics, will deliver one of the keynote addresses. The other keynote speaker will be Dr Marcus Schindler, CSO and Executive Vice President of Research and Early Development at Novo Nordisk.
Conference focus and structure
Drug Discovery 2024 aims to connect minds, transform science, and empower the drug discovery community. The event will offer 14 scientific tracks, covering a range of therapeutic themes and practical aspects of drug discovery.
These include:
– Mechanisms of ageing
– Cell and gene therapy
– Advances in assay design
– High-content imaging
– Small molecules
– Target identification
– Disease modelling
– Therapeutic translation
Additionally, the conference will feature discussions on innovation and collaboration within the sector.
Nanoscience and drug delivery
Professor Uchegbu’s keynote presentation will focus on the application of nanoparticles in enhancing drug efficacy and minimising off-target effects. Her pioneering work has led to the development of peptide nanoparticles capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, with potential applications in pain management.
Commenting on her participation, Professor Uchegbu said: “I’m delighted and honoured to be asked to open the ELRIG conference this year. I love to discover and learn how medicines work and to convey this to the broader audience.”
Metabolic disorders and therapeutic approaches
Dr Schindler’s keynote address will explore therapeutic approaches for metabolic disorders, with a particular emphasis on obesity and diabetes. His extensive experience in cardiovascular and metabolic disease research at companies such as AstraZeneca and Novo Nordisk will inform his presentation.
Dr Schindler expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating: “It will be my great pleasure to give a keynote presentation at Drug Discovery 2024, an event that seeks to bring together talented scientists, dedicated to investigating the medicines of tomorrow.”
Additional conference features
The conference will also include:
– A TechTheatre covering sustainability in drug discovery, robotics, automation, and AI
– 260 poster presentations
– Over 200 exhibitors
– Opportunities for early-stage companies in the Breakthrough Zone
– Networking events for early-career professionals
– Educational outreach through the ‘Big Adventures in Tiny Lab Coats’ initiative
ELRIG UK Chair Melanie Leveridge emphasised the organisation’s commitment to delivering open-access scientific meetings and expressed pride in the calibre of speakers at this year’s event.
To register for Drug Discovery 2024, visit: https://elrig.org/portfolio/drug-discovery-2024/
