Advances in Cell-based Screening 2026
Free-to-attend!
Date
06 – 07 May 2026
Location
Gothenburg, SE
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Event Overview
The pharmaceutical industry is poised for a paradigm shift: moving away from animal models prior to human trials. This conference unites leaders from pharma, academia, and the exhibitor ecosystem to address the critical question: What is needed to engineer the post-animal drug discovery pipeline? Achieving this future requires fundamental changes – testing compounds earlier in more relevant cells, at significantly larger scales, to generate the comprehensive foundational data necessary to reduce animal dependency.
Our 4 structured sessions will tackle the core transitions we need to make to achieve this future state. Relevant biology at scale will explore innovations in complex in vitro models and showcase where we are already having success. Redesign of assay and data pipelines will address the overhaul needed for handling vast, multi-dimensional cell-based read-outs, ensuring we get the most from our data. AI and ML in cell-based screening will focus on deep learning for image-based phenotyping, integration of multi-OMICs and how AI is transforming complex cellular data. Finally, AI and prediction: how do we best prepare? will delve into data integrity & FAIR workflows, managing data pipelines & metadata for AI-prediction readiness, and the skillsets required to operationalise these advanced approaches.
This event is essential for professionals across the cell-based discovery continuum who are actively preparing for an AI-driven future. Through collaborative dialogue, we aim to help this community rework early discovery from animal-gated milestones to human-first decision making. This new blueprint needs us to deliberate on how our hit-to-lead processes should change, where cells should replace animals, and how AI can enhance the predictive accuracy of our efforts to deliver transformative therapies.
IMPORTANT EVENT INFORMATION:
If you have registered for this event please be aware of the new site access rules that have been introduced at the PGN Conference Centre. To ensure a smooth check-in and maintain high security, the following rules apply to our delegates. You must now produce your passport to enter the site. The following ID types are accepted:
- International AstraZeneca employees: Passport, AstraZeneca access card
- External visitors: Swedish ID cards, Swedish passports, Swedish electronic identification (e-identification), foreign passports, foreign national ID cards issued in countries within the Schengen Area.
Track Information
Day 1 – Wednesday 06 May
Day 1 – AM
Relevant biology at scale
Track Chairs: Bilada Bilican (AstraZeneca)
Advanced cell models are redefining what “disease relevance” looks like in screening paradigms – but only if we can run them at scale. This session explores how next generation patient and iPSC-derived systems are being paired with automation and high-content readouts to deliver actionable biology for therapeutic development. We’ll highlight practical workflows that improve translatibility and support the industry shift toward a more human-first, less animal-dependent discovery pipeline.
Day 1 – PM
Redesigning our assay & data pipelines
Track Chairs: Brinton Seashore-Ludlow (Karolinska Institutet)
Cell-based screening is undergoing a fundamental shift. Increasing biological complexity (3D models, co-cultures, patient-derived systems), assay miniaturization, longitudinal measurements, and AI-driven analytics are challenging traditional single-endpoint, plate-based screening pipelines. This track focuses on how assay design and data analysis must be re-engineered together to extract robust, reproducible, and decision-grade insight from modern screening experiments.
Day 2 – Thursday 07 May
Day 2 – AM
AI & ML in cell-based screening
Track Chairs: Sapna Desai (GSK)
This session will highlight how deep learning algorithms are revolutionising cell-based assays, enabling automated and precise analysis of cellular characteristics. This includes recognising, profiling, and predicting visual phenotypes to uncover previously unexplored cellular details as imaging complexity increases. The session will also explore the crucial integration of multi-OMICs data—such as genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics—with cellular assays. AI’s ability to process vast, complex cellular datasets helps uncover hidden patterns, identify novel biomarkers, and transform raw data into actionable insights, accelerating drug discovery.
Day 2 – PM
AI and prediction: how do we best prepare?
Track Chairs: Yolanda Chong (Novo Nordisk)
Science Committee
Conference Directors
Fredrik Edfeldt
AstraZeneca
Sapna Desai
GSK
Sam Barichievy
AstraZeneca
James Robinson
AstraZeneca
Brinton Seashore-Ludlow
Karolinska Institutet
Louise Zeuthen
Novo Nordisk
ECP Conference Director
Alicia Overall
Domainex
Speakers
Find out who’s speaking at this event and their talk title.
Prof Hazel Screen
Professor of Biomedical Engineering,
Queen Mary University of London
Prof Hazel Screen specialises in organ‑on‑chip technologies to explore the aetiology of health and disease in musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. Her research examines healthy and pathological tissue structure-function relationships and their impact on cell metabolism, developing new models within which to explore fundamental tissue mechanics and biology questions as well as routes to new treatments and drug development. She co‑directed the Centre for Predictive in vitro Models at QMUL and leads the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Next Generation Organ‑on‑a‑Chip Technology (COaCT), a UKRI‑ and industry‑funded initiative training future leaders in the field. Prof Screen also contributes to shaping policy and regulation in predictive in vitro science. She will discuss “Predictive in vitro Models: Addressing the challenges and harnessing the opportunities in pre-clinical testing” during her presentation on the first day.
Dr Dave Powell
President of Drug Discovery,
Relation Therapeutics
Dr Dave Powell is President of Drug Discovery at Relation Therapeutics, an end-to-end biotech developing transformational medicines, with technology at its core. At Relation, he leads experimental drug discovery efforts, including functional genomics, tissue profiling, and target validation, and plays a key role in shaping the company’s early pipeline and future modalities. Dr Powell is a seasoned R&D leader with more than 25 years’ experience across GSK, Summit Therapeutics, and LifeArc, where he served as CSO and led a 150+ person team spanning biologics discovery, small molecule chemistry, diagnostics development, and data sciences. His career spans discovery through Phase 3 clinical trials, with particular strength in preclinical asset progression. He will present “Transforming target discovery through a DNA Foundation Model and multi-omics approach” on the second day of the conference.
Activities
Early Career Professional (ECP) Activities
ECP Meet & Greet
Kick off Day 1 of the conference at our ECP Meet & Greet from 8:15–9:00am in the Poster Room.
This relaxed drop-in session is the perfect chance to meet other early-career attendees, get your bearings, find out what’s happening during the day, and fuel up on free coffee and pastries before the science starts.
Each year this conference recognises outstanding contributions to science and innovation through our awards. We’re offering you the opportunity to celebrate your research or technology with the ELRIG community.
Awards available at this conference:
ECP Poster Award
The Early Career Professional Poster Award recognises the research and fresh ideas that the next generation of scientists bring to drug discovery.
Posters are judged on relevance, innovation, impact, and presentation quality, with the winner receiving:
- £250 (which you can keep, donate to your lab, or give to charity).
- A prestigious glass trophy.
- Industry exposure & networking opportunities.
We define an ECP as an undergrad, postgrad (including PhD), or someone early in their career.
If you’re interested in applying for this award, please register for this conference and follow the instructions in your confirmation email.
AstraZeneca Site Tour
Book your Amazing Journey AstraZeneca Site Tour at for Day 1, on site at the venue, first come first served.
On this guided tour you get to learn a little about AstraZenecas’s history, how they work with sustainability, how their scientists are working to find new medicines and what happens to the old medicines. You also get to hear the sound of a heart attack, and see how different diseases affect different parts of the world.
Agenda
Find out more our speakers, their abstracts and the conference schedule.
PLEASE NOTE: AstraZeneca has provided benefit-in-kind sponsorship towards this independent programme and has had no involvement in its creation or organisation
Posters
Discover numerous posters and innovative research from across the drug discovery community, aligned to our track themes. Hear from our Flash Poster Presenters and find out who has won the coveted Early Career Professional Poster Award!
PLEASE NOTE: Only one poster can be submitted per delegate. We only need your title and abstract, you do not need to upload your PDF. Also only Early Career Posters will be considered for a flash presentation at this event.
How to submit a poster
To submit a poster application you must first register for this conference. A link to the poster portal will be available in your registration confirmation email. The poster abstract submitted must not exceed 300 words.
PLEASE NOTE: Only one poster can be submitted per delegate, we only need your title and abstract, you do not need to upload your PDF and only Early Career Posters will be considered for a flash presentation at this event.
Poster deadlines
- Flash poster presentations are open to ECPs only – please submit your title and abstract by 06 April
- to be considered for general display – upload your title and abstract by 26 April
We have limited space at site and late entries will not be accepted.
If you have any questions regarding your submission, please contact events@elrig.org
Poster acceptance
The author will be held responsible for false statements, the scientific judging panel will ensure the poster is relevant to the event content. Successful poster applications will be notified via email and the poster display number will be given approximately two weeks before the event.
Flash Poster Acceptance
If your poster is chosen for a Flash Poster presentation, you will need to prepare a PowerPoint presentation to last no more than 5 minutes. The scientific judging panel will review the posters submitted for Flash poster presentations and if successful you will receive confirmation from the ELRIG Team two weeks prior to the event.
During the event
Your poster should be displayed for the duration of the full event.
A board will be available with your poster number and Velcro strips to affix your poster (your poster must be A0 portrait).
Poster sessions will take place 13:00 to 13:30 on day 1 and 13L15 to 13:45 on day 2. You will be expected to be at your poster during these times to answer questions from delegates.
All posters will need to be collected at the end of the event and removed from site; any posters left at the end of the event will be disposed of.
ECP Poster Award
ECP Poster Award
The Early Career Professional Poster Award celebrates the fresh ideas and groundbreaking research shaping the future of drug discovery. The posters will be judged during this conference based on its relevance, innovation and impact. You will not need to be at your poster during judging.
If you’re an undergrad, postgrad (including PhD), or early in your career*, this is your chance to showcase your work and get the recognition you deserve.
The winner will receive:
- £250 (which you can keep, donate to your lab, or give to charity).
- A prestigious glass trophy.
- Industry exposure & networking opportunities.
The prize is awarded during the opening session on day 2 of the event.
To apply for this award, please register for this conference. A link to the Poster Portal will be available in your confirmation email where you can submit a 300 word poster abstract.
*Career breaks will be recognised, as will individuals whose career has spanned a break due to caring responsibilities or personal circumstances.
During registration you will be asked if you identify as an ECP – An Early Career Professional (ECP) can be a student in higher education undertaking an undergraduate or postgraduate degree (including PhD), or within 5 years of finishing higher education and starting their career in life sciences and drug discovery.
Exhibitors
Find out who’s exhibiting at this event.
Conference Partner
Venue & Accommodation
AstraZeneca R&D Molndal
PGN Conference Center
Pepparedsleden 5
S-431 53 Mölndal
Sweden
There are some important updates we wanted to make you aware of – new site access rules have been introduced at the PGN Conference Centre. To ensure a smooth check-in and maintain high security, the following rules apply to visitors- you must now produce passport ID to enter the site. The other following ID types are accepted:
- International AstraZeneca employees: Passport, AstraZeneca access card
- External visitors: Swedish ID cards, Swedish passports, Swedish electronic identification (e-identification), foreign passports, foreign national ID cards issued in countries within the Schengen Area.
Book your accommodation with ELRIG’s Registration & Accommodation Partner MICE Concierge Ltd.
The event room blocks represent your best value and most local hotels for the event. We understand there is a wide choice of options so if you don’t want to use the event room blocks we have partnered with Booking.com to give you access to the widest choice of hotels. Compare prices and see the widest choice with Booking.com.
ELRIG is only able to provide suggestions on how delegates may travel to or places they may stay at, to attend its events. However, ELRIG cannot recommend nor endorse any of the travel choices nor hotels that attendees make and is not liable for any of the services that its delegates procure.
Resources
Social Media
Download our useful social media images to share that you’ll be attending this conference with your network.
Sponsorship Opportunites
We have several sponsorship opportunities available to exhibitors that can provide a wide range of new and exciting benefits for your organisation. We are also happy to discuss a tailored package to suit your budget.
Or visit our interactive floorplan to view available exhibitor spaces and book your booth at this conference.
FAQs
Are ELRIG events really FREE to attend?
Yes ELRIG events are FREE to attend.
Your support is the reason we’re consistently selling out tickets for our events. But we don’t want to close the door to the people who need us the most. So, we’re changing our registration process to prioritise registration for active researchers, scientists and early-career professionals.
We’ve created new products and packages at different prices so those with the funds can do their part to support us in a way that suits them and keep our events free-to-attend.
Visit our sponsorship page to find out how you can support our events.
How do I change / cancel my registration?
As a non-profit organisation, we aim to reduce food waste, and your cancellation helps support our sustainability efforts.
If your circumstances change and you can no longer attend, please cancel your ticket using the link in your confirmation email.
Delegates: What do I need to bring with me?
Please save your ticket to your smart device or print a copy. Upon arrival at the venue, visit the ELRIG registration and scan the QR Code. Your badge will be automatically printed.
Alternatively, you will also be sent instructions to print your badge at home so you can skip the queues on the day.
Refreshments will be provided. Please bring your own reusable cups or water bottles to help us reduce plastic waste at our events.
Can I register on arrival?
ELRIG events are often sold out and we are unable to cater to drop-ins. If you haven’t pre-registered we may be unable to let you in.
How do I download the event app?
Our attendee app is available for all of our events. It contains a variety of useful information, including networking information, agendas, exhibitor searches, messaging and notifications.
Information on accessing the app will be sent to you 2 weeks before the event!
Conference Partners & Sponsors
Conference Partner
Track Sponsor
Track Sponsor
