Drug discovery is entering a new era where physiological relevance, scalability, and mechanistic depth are no longer competing priorities but essential, integrated expectations. This Cell‑Based Assays track explores how the field is redefining experimental systems by engineering the cellular microenvironment—bringing together 3D biology, microfluidics, immune‑competent models, and real‑time functional readouts to close the gap between in vitro assays and clinical outcomes.

The success of drug discovery, and more broadly translational research, depends on robust experimental design, high-quality data and model predictivity. Lab-in-the-loop approaches increasingly combine automation, design of experiments and AI to strengthen assay performance and the predictive value of translational models. This session will explore how these elements can be integrated across laboratory workflows to optimise assay and model development.

With rapid advances in radioligand therapies and bioconjugate platforms, targeted oncology treatments are entering a new phase of precision and potency. This track will highlight innovative strategies that enhance specificity, tune therapeutic windows, and improve the safety of cytotoxic delivery. By bringing together leaders in ligand design, payload engineering, and conjugation technologies, the session will showcase how these next‑generation modalities are opening doors to treating cancers once considered out of reach.

Over the past four decades, biophysics has become integral to drug discovery, linking molecular interactions to measurable, decision‑driving data. Its influence spans from target validation and hit finding to lead optimisation and beyond, shaping both mechanistic understanding and practical outcomes. This track will revisit key milestones while spotlighting frontier approaches that are accelerating success whilst providing actionable insights for deploying next‑generation biophysics in modern discovery programs.

Bringing new drugs to customers and patients presents unique challenges including a long, expensive and highly regulated path before entering the market. In this session, emerging entrepreneurs and inventors will gain insights from diverse perspectives in early and late stage drug development on how to navigate the hurdles with securing funding, resources and evaluating feasibility to market strategies. To wrap up the session, the speakers will join a panel where they dive deeper into how they sharpened their ability to evolve from just an innovative concept.

The CRISPR technology has emerged as one of the most transformative scientific advances of the past two decades, enabling precise genome editing that is reshaping both basic research and therapeutic development. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing is accelerating target discovery and functional genomics, while powering the engineering of cell and gene therapies now entering clinical practice to treat previously intractable diseases. This session will bring together speakers that showcase applications spanning target discovery to clinical applications, and will explore possible next applications of the revolutionary technology.

The Breakthrough Zone Theatre will host the People’s Choice Innovation Award Presentation and then flash presentations from Breakthrough Zone companies highlighting their technologies.

As ‘omics datasets grow in dimensionality and complexity, key questions remain: how much data is enough, how many participants are required, and which signals can be trusted as biologically and clinically meaningful differences? We address methodological and statistical considerations for interpreting multi‑omics readouts in small, early‑phase studies, alongside challenges in reproducibility, standardisation, and cross‑platform harmonisation. We will examine the role of digitalisation, automation, and AI‑driven analytics in enabling scalable, auditable, and decision‑ready data integration.

This track will highlight how AI and data driven methods are reshaping drug discovery. Topics include compound quality, the integration of machine learning with experimental validation, and emerging AI tools. The track is organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Sector and RSC Medicinal Chemistry.

Biological samples are fundamental to drug discovery, yet their management is often underestimated despite its influence on data quality, translational success and patient outcomes. This session explores the practical challenges of modern sample management, from access to high-quality patient material and complex biological models to logistics, historical sample cohorts, automation and AI. Through case studies and panel discussions, speakers will consider how sample management must evolve to support robust science and effective translation.

Clinical trials for neurological therapeutics present distinct challenges, including complex disease heterogeneity, limited biomarkers, and high attrition rates. This track will examine key considerations for successfully advancing clinical candidates through the development pipeline toward regulatory approval and commercial viability. Topics will include optimising trial design, patient stratification strategies, and the integration of diverse and representative populations to improve clinical validity and generalisability. Attendees will also gain insight into regulatory expectations, risk mitigation strategies, and common causes of trial failure. Case studies of successful neurological drug development programmes will be presented to highlight best practices and translational impact.

Microbes represent a rich reservoir of untapped bioactive potential, delivering new frameworks and scaffolds for drug development. Parallel advances in the disciplines of microbiology, engineering, and computational biology have enabled high throughput and guided discovery of human therapeutics from the previously inaccessible 99% of microbes that are unculturable. This session will present significant successes in the utilisation of microbiology for discovery and development of novel drugs, addressing key gaps in the chemotherapeutic space, as challenges posed by resistance and target heterogeneity increasingly hamper the clinical management of disease in the 21st century. Speakers will also address the importance of greater collaboration in the chemical-biological sphere, whereby gaps in understanding of microbial and cellular physiology can result in failure to translate promising leads to viable therapeutics. The broad potential of microbiology will be presented, encompassing bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic biology.

This track tackles the critical transition from scientific discovery to commercial success.The morning session focuses on building momentum for growth, with a panel of expert venture captial representatives and funding bodies on ‘Navigating the funding landscape for early-stage life sciences’; industry experts covering ‘Translatability from early discovery to commercialisation’ and ‘Portfolio strategy and ideation to commercialisation’. The session concludes with an interactive chaired discussion tackling current industry pressures, common pitfalls, and projections for future growth. The afternoon shifts to real-world experience, with founders sharing their journeys from idea to successful venture, including the missteps and hard lessons alongside the wins. The day closes with an open panel where the audience can put their questions directly to the speakers.

Thank you for agreeing to share your poster with us at Drug Discovery 2026. Your contribution is greatly appreciated by ELRIG and all the attendees of the event. 

To submit a poster, for general display or for a flash poster, you must register for the conference. A link to the Poster Portal will be in your confirmation email. The next stage is to upload your title and abstract. Our poster panel will review your poster for general display and you will receive an email advising if you have been successful.

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.

• to be considered for a flash poster presentation – your title and abstract need to be uploaded by 16 Sept 2026
• to be considered for general display – your title and abstract need to by uploaded by 23rd Sept 2026

We have limited space at site and late entries will not be accepted. Please note submissions may close before the deadline if we reach capacity.

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 during the lunch refreshment break on Day 1 & Day 2.  You will be expected to be at your poster during these times to answer questions from delegates.

A Poster Prize will be awarded for Best Early Career Professional Poster, the posters will be judged (you will not need to be at your poster during judging) and the prize awarded during the opening session on day 2 of the event.

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. These ECPs are critical contributors to ELRIG, bringing new science, fresh ideas and energy to every event.

The prize is a glass trophy and £250, which can be accepted, donated to your lab or donated to a charity of your choice.

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.

Due to high demand and limited capacity, delegate applications will now be reviewed before confirming a place.

More and more often, spaces go unused when people register and don’t attend. By reviewing your registrations, we’re ensuring that those committed to attending get the opportunity.

The ELRIG team will be in touch within 10 working days once you’ve completed your registration. We recommend applying with your institute or academic email address to ensure your registration is approved as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your support in helping us create valuable, well-attended events for the drug discovery community!

Yes ELRIG events are FREE to attend.

We are a not-for-profit organisation hosting events for the drug discovery community. We believe that access to high quality science should be accessible to all. Find out more here.

We’re grateful for the support from our exhibitors who help us cover the costs of our events from sponsorship and stand sales. If you come to our events, please take the time to visit our exhibition and meet our exhibitors.

Or if you’re interested in exhibiting at an event, check out our sponsorship page.

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. Your confirmation email includes a link to the cancellation site.

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. If you forget or lose your QR Code you can enter your email address to print your badge.

Refreshments will be provided, please bring your own reusable cups to help us reduce plastic waste at our events.

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!

Download the app for iPhone here

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