CatSci Presents
Advances in Translational Drug Discovery 2025
BioCity, Nottingham, UK
September 9th 2025
This conference will bring together leaders from academia, industry, and pharma to explore how cutting-edge translational biology, AI- and Direct to Biology (D2B)-driven approaches, and novel therapeutic modalities are reshaping the path from bench to bedside.
Key topics include:
- Drug discovery stories – from target validation to the clinic
- Translational assays for AI and machine learning discovery programs
- The rise of complex synthetic medicines
- Developability challenges of “beyond rule of 5” (bRo5) molecules
- Targeting the undruggable: The potential of targeted protein degradation
- Drug repurposing – new hope for patients
Featured speakers
- Kwok Ho Chan, Principal Investigator (GSK)
- Jon Large, Scientific Director – Chemical Biology (LifeArc)
- Julian Blagg, Executive Vice President, Drug Discovery (Neophore)
- Andrew Payne, VP Internal Portfolio (Recursion)
- Layla Hosseini-Gerami, Co-Founder (Ignota Labs)
- James Longden, Senior Director of Life Sciences (Evolvus)
- Sasha Berdichevski, Head of Scientific Innovation & Business Development (Mepsgen)
- Bhuvaneish T. Selveraj, Chancellors Fellow/Principal Investigator (University of Edinburgh)
- Mauro Perretti (Queen Mary University of London)
- Kathy Dodgson, Technical Director of Bioscience (CatSci)
The full agenda will be available soon
Badge Registration Form
This is a free event but badge registration using the form below is mandatory for all attendees. This is necessary for us to provide accurate numbers to the venue and for catering purposes.
Advances in Translational Drug Discovery 2025
Who Should Attend
This event is designed for professionals driving innovation across the drug discovery pipeline from early target validation through to clinical translation, with a focus on AI integration, novel modalities, and challenging drug targets.
You should attend if you are:
- A scientific leader or program head advancing small molecule, bRo5, or targeted protein degradation projects
- A translational scientist or assay developer building AI/Machine Learning-driven discovery platforms
- A CSO, VP of Discovery, or Head of R&D shaping strategies for complex and emerging therapeutic modalities
- A drug repurposing specialist seeking new frameworks to identify and reposition existing compounds
- A medicinal chemist, pharmacologist, or bioengineer tackling the undruggable or optimizing beyond-rule-of-5 candidates
- A business development or portfolio strategy professional exploring future directions in translational drug discovery
Join us to explore how science, technology, and interdisciplinary collaboration are reshaping the future of drug discovery.
Location and Venue
Innovation Centre Building
Biocity Nottingham
Pennyfoot Street
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
NG1 1GF
United Kingdom
Nearest Parking
There is no parking available on-site at BioCity so please use the following local car parks:
- NCP Nottingham Stoney Street
Stoney St, Nottingham, NG1 1LS - Trinity Square Car Park
North Church Street, Nottingham, NG1 4BT - Lace Market Car Park
33 Pilcher Gate, Nottingham, NG1 1QE
Nearest airports
- East Midlands Airport (11.7 miles)
- Doncaster/ Sheffield – Robin Hood Airport (37.4 miles)
- Birmingham Airport (47 miles)
Nearest train station
- Nottingham (0.5 miles)


Contact Us
Organising committee
Dan Croucher: dan.croucher@catsci.com
Kathy Dodgson: kathy.dodgson@catsci.com
Sponsorship information
Dan Croucher: dan.croucher@catsci.com
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