Each Lunch & Learn session will take the form of a short lunchtime webinar (max.1 hr), covering background theory, practical techniques and case study applications. 

Why should you apply?

• Gain visibility in the scientific community
• Strengthen your presentation and public speaking skills
• Expand your professional network within EFMC and beyond
• Contribute to knowledge-sharing within the field

Who can apply? 

We envision the series to be a collaborative effort; therefore, we encourage contributors to form small teams (2-3 members) for the organization and delivery of a topic. Teams composed of representatives from different institutions are highly encouraged. Solo submissions are also welcome, and in such cases we will try to team you up with another colleague in your field.

Get Involved! 

To register your interest in contributing to the Lunch & Learn series, please fill in this form. One of our team members will get in touch with you in due course.

Closing date for submissions is May 16! 

How did you get interested in Medicinal Chemistry?

I've always been fascinated by medical and pharmaceutical sciences since I was a child, as my father is a doctor. When it came time to choose a university, the Faculty of Pharmacy immediately appealed to me. I loved its courses, and during my final year, my professor of Medicinal Chemistry truly inspired me. I did my thesis with him, and that's how my journey in Medicinal Chemistry began.

Where and when did you obtain your PhD diploma?

I obtained my PhD in 2018 at the University of Bari, in southern Italy, after spending a research period abroad at CIQUS in Santiago de Compostela, where I worked with Prof. Eddy Sotelo. My PhD project focused on the use of bioisosteric replacements to optimize lead compounds and develop novel pharmacological agents for cancer and other major therapeutic areas. The work centered on three key examples: discovery and optimization of antiproliferative agents derived from a first series of biphenyl anilides showing inhibition of the P-gp pump, where we thoroughly investigated their mechanism of action; optimization of selective antagonists of the A3 adenosine receptor, for which we also explored their binding mode through computational studies; and optimization of A2b receptor antagonists, synthesized via the Biginelli multicomponent reaction. This last approach enabled us to generate hundreds of compounds, establish a detailed SAR profile for this class, and rationalize the enantio-specific interaction of the scaffold. Where did you have your postdoc position? I had my postdoc position at the CIQUS Centre in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Where are you currently working, and what is your current position?

I’m the Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Celtarys Research, a biotech start-up located in Santiago de Compostela. We have patented a technology that allows us to assemble highly complex molecular architectures convergently. We have been widely applying it to the development of fluorescent ligands, building a portfolio of GPCR fluorescent ligands. Additionally, we offer customized development projects for targets that currently lack commercially available fluorescent tools or for designing next-generation assays. We also participate in funded projects where we contribute to developing innovative concepts for screening assays and diagnostic tools.

What do you like best about your work?

The opportunity to be creative every time a collaborator or customer presents a problem to be solved. I love proposing innovative and effective solutions. Even better is when the solution works—it’s incredibly satisfying! So, I’d say the combination of creativity and the gratification is what I enjoy most.

What kind of tasks does your work involve?

I wear many hats, but all are related to science! My tasks include marketing activities and identifying new customers and projects, collaborating and securing funding for research projects, selecting and managing researchers for my scientific team, and overseeing all projects. I also prepare publications based on our results and coordinate the various activities within scientific projects.

How many PhD students and postdocs do you currently supervise?

I supervise one PhD student as part of an industrial PhD project in collaboration with the University of Santiago de Compostela...and yes, we are always looking for new PhD students.

I believe the best way to teach is to trust. I assign tasks that help the student develop new skills. I am highly involved and enthusiastic about our work, fostering a collaborative and inspiring environment. I prioritize building strong relationships and creating a safe and peaceful space for productive work

What do you consider your greatest achievement in your scientific career?

Developing the technology we patented and founding our own biotech company.

Which of your papers are you most proud of, and why?

Every paper I’ve authored has its own story, and I’m proud of each one. They span not only medicinal chemistry but also other fields like metabolomics, analytics, and catalysis. If I had to highlight a few, I would mention the paper on the development of A2b antagonists (J. Med. Chem. 2021, 64, 1, 458–480). It provides a comprehensive SAR analysis and was instrumental in understanding the A2b receptor's binding pocket, which had not been crystallized until 2022.

Another key paper is on the development of A2b fluorescent agents to demonstrate their involvement in cancer (Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 153, September 2022, 113408). This work combined cutting-edge chemistry and biology, contributing to our understanding of the receptor's role in disease.

What are the features of a successful PhD student or postdoc?

A lot of passion, determination, and eagerness to learn. Being open to mobility is also crucial. During a PhD, it's important to work in different laboratories to develop your own scientific personality. This is something I experienced personally, and I am very satisfied with the outcome. Follow science communication pages, regulatory agencies (especially European ones), and take advantage of the many online seminars available, which are often open to everyone.

Have you experienced any unfair situations during your scientific career? How would you advise scientists facing similar situations?

Yes, I believe this happens to everyone to some degree. You might encounter people who are open to collaboration and others who are not, thinking that your success diminishes their own. This attitude harms science. My advice: don’t get discouraged or nervous, continue doing your work, and seek out new laboratories and places to grow. Remember, these kinds of people represent only a small minority of the scientific community.

What is the most embarrassing thing you have done in the lab while doing experiments, e.g., explosions?

During my visiting period in Santiago, after completing a 10-step synthetic pathway and finally obtaining a gram of the precursor compound for the final step, I accidentally dropped the vial, and it shattered on the floor. More than embarrassing, it was nervewracking—I started sweating and trembling at the thought of having to redo everything from scratch. Luckily, the postdoc supervising me in the lab, whom we can call Saint Johnny, helped me and managed to recover it. Another time was worse, though—a classic lab mistake: the reaction flask detached from the rotary evaporator, and water from the rota entered the flask. I lost the entire product.

Which scientist do you admire the most and why?

As a woman, I deeply admire all female scientists who paved the way for women in science and academia. Great examples for me are Marie Curie and Margherita Hack.

Which field of medicinal chemistry do you consider the most promising for the future?

Green Chemistry in Drug Development. Sustainable practices in medicinal chemistry are gaining traction to reduce the environmental impact of drug development.

What would you expect to be the next major breakthrough in medicinal chemistry?

Real-time drug screening technologies that allow for direct observation of drug-target interactions within living systems. This would greatly enhance the efficiency of drug discovery, providing unprecedented insights into how compounds behave in complex biological environments, and accelerating the path to effective therapies

With Prof. Gerard van Westen (Leiden University, The Netherlands) as organiser, the course gathered an additional five speakers. Over two and a half days, Dr Barbara Zdrazil & Mr Harris Ioannidis (EMBL-EBI, United Kingdom), Dr Christina Schindler (Merck KGAA, Germany), Dr Herman van Vlijmen (Janssen, Belgium) and Dr Bart Lenselink (La Randstad, The Netherlands) followed one another to tackle the trendy topic of Artificial Intelligence and Medicinal Chemistry.

Beyond its academic value, the event was elevated by its charming location, a historic castle nestled in the heart of Leiden. Attendees praised the unique setting, which added to the overall experience.

To foster networking, the programme included a social dinner on Sunday, April 6, and a guided walking tour of Leiden on Monday, April 7. Evenings were animated by informal gatherings at the Castle Bar, where participants connected and shared memorable moments in a relaxed atmosphere.

The EFMC Short Course will return for a 20^th edition in Spring 2026. Stay tuned to the EFMC channels to learn more about the topic and speakers as they become available.

More info on www.efmcshortcourses.org

The annual conference of the International Chemical Biology Society (ICBS) has been organized since 2011, alternating between Northern America and other continents. The last, and only time, it was held in Europe was back in 2015, with the Berlin edition.

The European Chemical Biology Symposium has been organized biennially since 2008 in a European city by EU-OPENSCREEN, a not-for-profit European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC). Since the Madrid edition in 2019, it has been co-organized by the EuChemS Division of Chemical Biology and Chemistry in Life Sciences.

The Berlin edition in 2015 was a joint ECBS & ICBS event. Ten years later, ICBS comes back to Europe for the first time for ChemBioParis2025, a new ICBS / ECBS joint meeting, and a major event for European and Worldwide chemical biology.

Do not miss this edition, featuring an exceptional lineup of keynote and invited speakers, at Sorbonne University, in the heart of the beautiful city of Paris!

Follow the link: chembioparis2025.com

• Registrations opened on April 28th.
• Abstract Submission Deadline will be June 9th.
• Early Bird Deadline will be June 9th.

Looking forward to seeing you in Paris next October!

PYCheM

The Portuguese Young Chemists Meeting (PYCheM) is a biennial flagship event designed to unite young researchers in Portugal and beyond. Each edition features a diverse program with plenary talks by leading scientists, oral and poster presentations, and networking opportunities that help participants exchange ideas and explore collaborations.

PYCheM provides an informal and welcoming atmosphere, fostering connections between early career researchers and more established and recognized international speakers.

The upcoming edition will be held from April 28th to 30th in the picturesque coastal city of Faro. Participants can look forward to exciting sessions with world-renowned speakers, engaging presentations, and a chance to experience the vibrant culture of southern Portugal. Registrations are still open, so don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this inspiring event!

PYCA

The Portuguese Young Chemists Award (PYCA) is an award that honors the exceptional achievements of recent PhD holders in chemistry under the age of 35. Open to both Portuguese and international researchers who completed their PhDs at a Portuguese institution, the award recognizes not only the quality and impact of their research but also their ability to communicate scientific concepts effectively to the broader community.

The PYCA recipient is invited to deliver an oral presentation at PYCheM, showcasing their research to an engaged audience of peers and mentors. Additionally, the award-winning work could be published, as an article, in SPQ’s QUÍMICA magazine, reaching an even wider audience. With a focus on recognizing talent and excellence, PYCA is a testament to GQJ’s commitment to celebrating the next generation of chemists.

FlashChem

FlashChem is GQJ’s photography contest that bridges the gap between science and art. Open to university students, the competition challenges participants to describe chemistry through the lens of a camera. Each edition has a unique theme, inspiring creative and thought-provoking visual interpretations of chemistry in action.

Capturing the beauty and relevance of chemistry, FlashChem fosters a new perspective among young scientists and promotes public appreciation for the field.

ChemRus

ChemRus is an annual video competition tailored for high school students across Portugal. Since its inception in 2012, the contest has engaged young learners by inviting them to create short videos that creatively showcase chemical concepts or experiments.

Each year, ChemRus adopts a unique theme to encourage innovative ideas. In 2023, participants explored the chemistry within the kitchen, culminating in more than 70 creative applications. This year, the challenge shifts to “The Secret Chemistry of Nature,” offering students the chance to uncover and present the fascinating chemical processes hidden in the natural world. Winning entries receive exciting prizes, and all submissions are featured on GQJ’s YouTube channel for the broader community to enjoy.

High School Visits

GQJ brings chemistry directly to the classroom through interactive visits to high schools across Portugal. These visits aim to inspire students by highlighting the importance of chemistry in daily life and introducing them to the many career paths that a chemistry background can unlock.

The sessions are designed to be fun and engaging, featuring hands-on experiments where students can actively participate and witness the practical side of chemistry. To make learning even more enjoyable, GQJ also organizes chemistry-themed quizzes during the visits, sparking curiosity and encouraging friendly competition among students.

By combining education, interaction, and entertainment, GQJ’s school visits make a lasting impact on students, fostering an appreciation for the relevance and excitement of chemistry in the world around them.

Through its diverse programs and initiatives, the Portuguese Young Chemists Group continues to cultivate a vibrant and supportive community for early-career researchers while engaging the public in the wonders of chemistry.

Stay informed about GQJ’s activities by visiting our website or following us on social media (LinkedIn, X, Instagram).

For years, glycopeptides derived from MUC1, a molecule often altered on the surface of cancer cells, have been explored as promising candidates for cancer vaccines. However, they’ve faced two critical obstacles: low immunogenicity, which means they fail to effectively trigger the immune system, and the inconsistent way they are attached to carrier proteins, leading to variable and often suboptimal results. These limitations have significantly hindered the clinical potential of MUC1-based vaccines.

In this paper, the authors tackle these issues head-on with a precisely engineered solution. They designed a synthetic MUC1 glycopeptide containing two non-natural amino acids and an α-S-glycosidic bond, which replaces a key oxygen atom with sulfur. This chemical modification not only enhances the stability of the glycopeptide but also boosts its ability to elicit a strong immune response.

To ensure consistent vaccine production and optimal performance, the glycopeptide is attached to CRM197, a safe and widely used protein carrier, via a highly selective disulfide re-bridging strategy enabling the attachment of a single glycopeptide. The result is a chemically defined and homogeneous vaccine that retains both the structural integrity and immunogenicity of the protein carrier.

The vaccine’s impact has been demonstrated in preclinical studies with mice, where it successfully triggered a robust Th1-like immune response, a type of immunity critical for fighting cancer. The antibodies generated specifically recognized cancer cells displaying MUC1, leading to a significant delay in tumor growth in colon adenocarcinoma and pancreatic cancer models. Notably, the vaccine showed both preventive and therapeutic benefits, with even better outcomes when combined with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (anti-PD-1).

By addressing the challenges of low immunogenicity and inconsistent manufacturing, this approach sets a new standard for glycopeptide-based vaccines. It also challenges the traditional belief that multivalent antigen displays are essential for effective cancer vaccines, proving that a single, precisely displayed antigen can drive powerful immune responses.

https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202411009

As a case study, the development of a first in class MKK4 inhibitor for liver regeneration from target ID to clinical application (Phase I data) will be presented and the chemical structure of the development candidate disclosed. MKK4 has recently been identified as a major regulator in liver regeneration by functional genetic silencing of the dual specific kinase MKK4. The target was validated in various experimental disease models. These data strongly supported the concept, that selective MKK4-inhibition with a small molecule represents a promising and attractive approach for treatment of a complex and multifactorial disease.

In my lecture, I will present on the structure-based development (NMR) and characterization of first-in-class small molecule MKK4 inhibitors (MKK4i). Based on the observation that the approved BRAFV600E inhibitor vemurafenib shows a high affinity to and a moderate functional inhibition of  MKK4, our hit optimization concept included classical iterative SAR-optimization but also a scaffold-hopping approach by changing the core heterocycle from 1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine to 1H-pyrazolo[2,3-b]pyridine. Both approaches followed a mandatory multiparameter optimization. In vivo RNAi experiments also revealed that MKK7 and JNK1 are anti-targets and thereby defined the requirements regarding the kinase selectivity. In both series, highly selective MKK4 inhibitors down to a low nanomolar range with an excellent selectivity against MKK7/JNK1 could be obtained. LN3118 was identified as a tool compound with a moderate inhibitory potency against MKK4 (IC50 = 0,2 μM) but an attractive selectivity profile. It was used to validate MKK4 as a druggable target for treatment of liver disease. The PoC in vivo was performed with the „mouse probe“ in hepatectomy models, CCl4-induced liver injury, alcohol-induced steatosis and CCl4-induced liver fibrosis.

With our first clinical candidate, HRX215, the effect on liver regeneration was demonstrated after extended hepatectomy in the pig. After 80% liver resection, a significant and impressive acceleration of new liver tissue growth was observed within the first days after surgery. An initial Phase I study in 48 male healthy volunteers paved the way to the now ongoing Phase IIa program to prevent/treat liver failure after extensive oncological liver resections or after transplantation of small grafts.

References

1) Zwirner et al., 2024, Cell 187, 1–19 March 28, 2024,

2) PNAS 2024 Vol. 121 No. 9 e2319492121

Register for free here.

#GDCh (MedChem Division), #NextGenMedChem.

• Advancing Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology

The Division of Organic Chemistry of Société Chimique de France (SCF-DCO) and the Societé de Chimie Therapeutique (SCT) are proud to jointly propose a one day meeting on the transformative advances in organic synthetic chemistry that are reshaping the fields of medicinal chemistry and chemical biology. Over the past decade, the development of innovative synthetic methodologies has provided unprecedented tools for drug discovery, molecular probe design, and the study of biological systems.

The event will take place on June 3 at the Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France.

More information and registration under this link. Registration deadline is May 19.

• 59th International Conference on Medicinal Chemistry

SCT’s flagship conference will take place in Orléans, France on July 2-4, 2025. The congress will be devoted to "Drug Discovery and Selection" and will feature 18 plenary lectures and 6 short lectures. On top, 2 plenary lectures will be delivered by the recipients of the SCT Award for Drug Discovery Chemistry and the Evotec Prize for Excellence in Molecular Design.

In addition, a poster session will provide the opportunity for all participants to present their current results. Poster prizes will be attributed at the end of the meeting. A limited number of grants will be funded by the SCT and Corporate Sponsors to support the participation of young academic scientists presenting a poster at the conference.

• Early-bird registration deadline: May 13, 2025
• Abstract submission deadline: May 13, 2025

More information on www.rict2025.org.

36th BMCS Spring Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry
Thursday, 24th April 2025, Fielder Centre, Hatfield, UK
Website: https://www.rscbmcs.org/events/hatfields25/
Synopsis: Known colloquially as the “Hatfield MedChem” meeting, this is a highly successful, long-standing, one-day meeting that runs annually. The scientific program will comprise presentations showcasing medicinal chemistry case studies from tools to candidates, across a range of modalities, therapeutic areas and target classes, as well as covering more general topics at the forefront of drug discovery. The meeting aims to be informal and interactive, and is ideal for all those working in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery more widely.

11th RSC/SCI Symposium on Kinase Inhibitor Design
Monday 12^th – Tuesday 13^th May, 2025, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
Registration is open!
Website: https://www.rscbmcs.org/events/kinase2025/
Synopsis: With more than 100 clinically approved small molecules, the field of kinase modulation continues to attract significant investment from the drug discovery community and attention from academia. The 11th RCS-BMCS/SCI symposium on kinase inhibitor design will encompass plenary lectures on emerging topics and case studies of ongoing programmes as well as successful past programmes. A range of topics including brain penetrant and inhaled kinase inhibitors, kinase chemical probes, allosteric modulators, targeted kinase protein degradation and kinase inhibition for non-oncology indications will be covered, along with views and perspectives on the future of kinase modulator research.

BMCS Hot Topics: PROTACs and Glues 2025

Wednesday 28^th May 2025 (afternoon), Virtual

Registration is open!

Website: https://www.rscbmcs.org/events/hottopicsprotacsandglues2025/

Synopsis: The BMCS Hot Topics online meetings are intended to highlight breaking areas of research in fields of science relevant to drug discovery. They run as stand-alone half-day virtual events, 2-3 times per year. The programme will be targeted towards researchers working who would like to enhance their understanding of these nascent or developing fields.

While conventional small molecule drugs typically inhibit or activate proteins, PROTACs and glues offer new strategies to modulate biological pathways by either removing proteins entirely or enhancing their interactions to elicit a pharmacological effect. This meeting will feature presentations on the application and development of PROTACs, glues, and bifunctional molecules in chemical biology and drug discovery, highlighting their roles in both protein degradation and the modulation of new and existing protein-protein interactions (PPIs).

BMCS 5th Synthesis in Drug Discovery and Development
Tuesday 3rd – Wednesday 4th June (afternoons), 2025, Virtual
Registration is open!
Website: https://www.rscbmcs.org/events/sddd25/
Synopsis: Synthesis is at the heart of drug discovery and development. The industry has increasingly demanded higher quality clinical candidates and has sought to exploit less druggable biological targets. Densely functionalised small molecules with a high degree of synthetic complexity are often the result of these demands. Successful programmes therefore require the application of innovative synthesis in all stages of discovery and development. The medicinal chemist’s toolbox is also enhanced by the introduction of novel bioisosteres, often made available only through the application of new synthetic methods. This symposium aims to celebrate the crucial role of synthesis in the success of drug discovery and development.

4th RSC Anglo-Nordic Medicinal Chemistry Symposium
10^th-13^th June 2025, Hotel Comwell Borupgaard, Snekkersten, Denmark
Registration and abstract submissions are now open! The deadline for poster abstracts is Thursday 1^st May.
Website: https://www.rscbmcs.org/events/anmc-4/
Synopsis: This 2.5 day symposium is the fourth in the very successful series of biannual meetings started in 2017 containing high quality international speakers from industry and academia on topics of Medicinal Chemistry and related enabling technologies. Organised by the Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Sector of the Royal Society of Chemistry, together with Nordic affiliates, the meeting promises to be an exciting and invigorating gathering packed with fantastic opportunities to disseminate knowledge and expand networks.

RSC-BMCS / SCI 23rd Medicinal Chemistry Symposium
Sunday – Wednesday, 14th-17th September, 2025, Churchill College, Cambridge
Registration is open! Abstract submission is open! The deadline for abstract submission is Wednesday 30th April 2025.
Website: https://www.rscbmcs.org/events/cammedchem25/
Synopsis: The organisers invite you to the 23rd SCI-RSC Medicinal Chemistry symposium, Europe’s premier biennial Medicinal Chemistry event, focusing on first disclosures and new strategies in Medicinal Chemistry.

8th RSC-CICAG / RSC-BMCS Artificial Intelligence in Chemistry
Monday-Wednesday, 22nd – 24th September 2025, Churchill College, Cambridge
Abstract submission and registration is open!
Website: https://www.rscbmcs.org/events/aichem8 /  
Synopsis: Artificial Intelligence is experiencing a renaissance in the development of new methods and practical applications to ongoing challenges in Chemistry. Following the successes of six annual “Artificial Intelligence in Chemistry” meetings starting in 2018, we are pleased to announce that the Chemical Information & Computer Applications Group (CICAG) and Biological & Medicinal Chemistry Sector (BMCS) of the Royal Society of Chemistry are once again organising a conference to present the current advances in AI and machine learning in Chemistry. The meeting will be held over two and half days and combine aspects of artificial intelligence and deep machine learning methods to applications in chemistry.  The programme will include a mixture of keynote talks, panel discussion, oral presentations, flash presentations, posters and opportunities for open debate, networking, and discussion. This year meeting will follow 2024 with two and half days and will include workshop on first day, please keep checking the website for updates.

BMCS New approaches to the treatment of Parkinson’s
Wednesday 12th November 2025, Burlington House, London
BMCS / Parkinsons UK
Abstract Submission and registration is now open!
Website: https://www.rscbmcs.org/events/parkinsons25/
Join the Royal Society of Chemistry Biological Medicinal Chemistry Sector and Parkinson’s UK to hear about new approaches to the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease.
In the dynamic field of drug discovery, the search for new treatments for Parkinson’s disease has never been more critical. It is estimated 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s – a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative condition resulting from the loss of the dopamine-containing cells of the substantia nigra. Motor and non-motor symptoms of the condition are wide ranging and current treatments only help to manage a small subset of the symptoms and do not modify the disease progression. But there is a wealth of research to find new and better therapeutics for Parkinson’s.
This meeting, specifically designed for professionals dedicated to developing new therapeutics for Parkinson’s disease, will highlight current research offering symptomatic relief and disease modifying approaches.