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Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s 2nd Annual

AI/ML for Early Drug Discovery

Improving Speed and Efficiency of Target Discovery, Drug Design and Lead Optimization

12 - 13 November 2025 ALL TIMES CET+1

 

Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s annual conference on Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) for Early Drug Discovery brings together chemists, biologists, data scientists and bioinformaticians to discuss how AI predictions and ML algorithms can enable data-driven decision-making for drug discovery. Case studies presented by experts in academia and industry highlight where AI/ML has been integrated and implemented in drug discovery. Time for informal, open-ended discussions allow for sharing knowledge and insights on where AI/ML works well and where it does not.

 

Wednesday, 12 November

PLENARY KEYNOTE SESSION

11:00

Welcome Remarks

Anjani Shah, PhD, Senior Conference Director, Cambridge Healthtech Institute

11:10

Small Molecule Control of the Undruggable Proteome: PROTACS and Beyond

Craig M. Crews, PhD, Professor, Molecular & Cellular & Developmental Biology, Yale University

I will discuss the novel reagents and methodologies, which will allow us to explore new areas in cell biology. This 'chemical genetic' approach uses biologically active small molecules to control various intracellular processes. For example we developed the PROTAC technology that decreases target protein levels within cells by inducing their proteolysis via the 26S proteasome. A goal of this research is to develop novel methodologies that would allow for small molecule control of the 'undruggable proteome'.

11:55Networking Lunch in the Exhibit Hall

CASE STUDIES: AI/ML ACROSS THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS

13:10

Chairperson's Remarks

Jose Carlos Gómez-Tamayo, Principal Scientist , CADD, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

13:15

FEATURED PRESENTATION: Simulating Biologically Relevant Protein Motions in Challenging Disease Targets

Woody Sherman, PhD, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, PsiThera

Understanding protein dynamics is critical for drug discovery against challenging targets. We describe an integrated platform that combines all-atom physics-based simulations with biophysical data, including HDX-MS and crystallography, to model biologically relevant protein motions and thermodynamics. We use this approach to enable mechanism-driven design strategies to advance our therapeutic pipeline of novel orally bioavailable molecules against clinically validated inflammation and immunology targets.

13:45

FEATURED PRESENTATION: Leveraging Multiomics Data to Identify and Prosecute Targets Implicated in Women's Health

Petrina Kamya, PhD, Global Head of AI Platforms & Vice President, Insilico Medicine; President, Insilico Medicine Canada

Research into the underlying causes of the diseases that affect women's health is grossly underfunded. Yet, there is a dire need for a better understanding of the pathways implicated in these diseases so that we can move away from only dealing with symptoms and start working on cures. Today, I will discuss an approach that could help us do just that.

14:15 Augmented Intelligence in Finding Druggable Targets: A Data-Driven Journey from Identification to Small-Molecule Synthesis

Frederik van den Broek, Senior Director, Professional Services & Consulting, Corporate R&D, Elsevier

Finding druggable targets that directly or indirectly modulate novel targets can be a challenge. Once target and candidate small molecule lead compounds have been identified, further challenges can be finding a viable synthetic route and to assess potential off-target effects. We present sophisticated methods and high-quality data sources that facilitate the journey to a potential small-molecule drug.

14:45Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall and Poster Viewing

15:30

AI and LQM-Driven Drug Discovery Applied to Neurodegeneration Drug Discovery

Victor Sebastian Perez, PhD, Head of Computational Drug Design, EMEA, SandboxAQ

The evolution of drug discovery is increasingly driven by remarkable advances in AI, simulation, and data integration technologies. SandboxAQ generates proprietary data using physics-based methods, and trains Large Quantitative Models (LQMs). We will highlight and present the application of our methods for hit finding and lead optimisation applied to promising drug discovery targets for neurodegeneration.

16:00

Harnessing Co-Folding for Drug Discovery: Identifying a Selective Cryptic Pocket in a Synthetic Lethality Oncology Target

Jose Carlos Gómez-Tamayo, Principal Scientist , CADD, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

Co-folding has emerged as a tool holding promise to revolutionise drug discovery. Beyond the prediction of protein-ligand binding modes, co-folding can be extended to tackle multiple tasks in drug discovery. In this presentation I will discuss the benchmarking of co-folding in several drug discovery applications and a success case on the identification of a cryptic pocket.

16:30In-Person Breakout Discussion Groups

In-Person Breakouts are informal, moderated discussions, allowing participants to exchange ideas or experiences, develop collaborations around a focused topic, and meet scientists with similar interests. Each breakout will be led by facilitators who keep the discussion on track and the group engaged. Discussion topic(s) and moderators will be posted by September.

IN-PERSON ONLY BREAKOUT:

AI for Drug Design and Lead Optimization

Jose Carlos Gómez-Tamayo, Principal Scientist , CADD, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

Petrina Kamya, PhD, Global Head of AI Platforms & Vice President, Insilico Medicine; President, Insilico Medicine Canada

Victor Sebastian Perez, PhD, Head of Computational Drug Design, EMEA, SandboxAQ

Woody Sherman, PhD, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, PsiThera

  • Using generative chemistry to enhance physicochemical properties and ligand interactions 
  • Exploring diverse molecular structures and chemical space using LLMs and other tools 
  • Effective use of virtual screening and structure-activity predictions tools
  • Using physics and computational chemistry to find novel targets and leads​
IN-PERSON ONLY BREAKOUT:

AI/ML- True Impact in Drug Discovery Today

Michael Liebman, PhD, Managing Director, IPQ Analytics, LLC

Jordi Mestres, PhD, Founder & CSO, Chemotargets

Tudor Oprea, MD, PhD, CEO, Expert Systems, Inc.

  • Conscious use of machine learning and deep learning models 
  • Quantity versus quality data in AI Managing expectation and frustration
  • What can we expect from models? 
  • Biased data and biased models, local vs general models 
  • How good and generalizable is your model for AI/ML? 
  • Does your model cover an extensive and diverse chemical space?​

17:15Close of Day

Thursday, 13 November

08:00Registration and Morning Coffee

GEN AI IN LEAD IDENTIFICATION & OPTIMISATION

08:25

Chairperson's Remarks

Anthony Bradley, D.Phil, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool

08:30

Generative Design in Drug Discovery: Are We Truly Innovating or Merely Complicating?

Anthony Bradley, D.Phil, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool

As generative models grow more complex, discerning their actual contributions to drug design becomes challenging. This presentation assesses the impact of these models, focusing on molecule synthesisability and 3D integration. We critically analyse limitations from small datasets and the models' tendency to infer patterns without genuine extrapolative power. Emphasising need for clarity in evaluation, we propose strategies for meaningful benchmarks to ensure generative models deliver tangible improvements in drug discovery.

09:00 Unlocking the Future of AI: How QUELO Powers Next-Generation Drug Discovery with First-Principles Physics

David Pearlman, VP Product, QSimulate

AI models in drug discovery are limited by noisy/sparse real-world data. We bridge this gap by supplementing AI with high-fidelity in silico Quantum Mechanics (QM) data, now computationally feasible via QSimulate's GPU optimizations. We will demonstrate our QM/MM FEP engine (QUELO) on targets where classical methods fail, like covalent inhibitors. We also propose an AI+QM workflow where QM-generated "truth data" validates and retrains AI models, creating a physics-based feedback loop and affinity funnel.

09:30

From Fragment Seed to Small Molecule Leads

Jordi Mestres, PhD, Founder & CSO, Chemotargets

Structure-based generative modelling (SBGM) represents a change of paradigm in drug discovery, from virtually screening ultra-large chemical libraries to virtually growing molecules with desired physicochemical and ADME properties directly inside the protein cavity. In this talk, the SBGM platform developed at Chemotargets to generate novel synthetically feasible drug-like molecules for protein targets will be introduced. Examples of fragment evolution inside protein cavities will be presented.

10:00Networking Refreshment Break and Poster Viewing

10:45

An AI Co-Scientist for Drug Discovery

Elisa Donati, PhD, Head of Services, Acellera Therapeutics

PlayMolecule AI is an AI co-scientist platform designed to accelerate discovery in drug research by integrating natural language querying, multidimensional data analysis, and interactive 3D molecular visualisation. Researchers can interrogate chemical and biological datasets, explore molecular interactions, and perform advanced computational experiments, including molecular dynamics simulations, virtual screening, and property prediction, all within a unified environment. Built on scientifically validated computational workflows rigorously tested both internally and through collaboration, the platform empowers scientists to unlock their full potential without concerns about gaps in expertise and enables rapid iteration of validation tests.

11:15

Combining AI and Molecular Modelling for Mapping Protein-ligand Interactions

Victor Guallar, PhD, Professor, Barcelona Supercomputing Center and Nostrum Biodiscovery

In this talk we will summarize recent and novel research highlighting the use of active learning cycles in hit finding, the development and use of libraries of 100s of billions of molecules and exploring AI methods for advancing polypharmacology.

11:45 PANEL DISCUSSION:

How Are AI Techniques Making an Impact on Preclinical Pharma?

PANEL MODERATOR:

Victor Guallar, PhD, Professor, Barcelona Supercomputing Center and Nostrum Biodiscovery

We will discuss with top pharma experts the involvement of AI screening techniques for various research applications.

Topics to be discussed include:

  • Has AI usage opened new frontiers?
  • Will AI be taking over more traditional screening methods?​
  • Which techniques are working better and being largely used?
  • Is there still a hype?
PANELISTS:

Marc Bianciotto, PhD, Drug Designer, Computer Aided Drug Design, Sanofi

Anders Hogner, PhD, Senior Director, Head of Computational Chemistry CVRM, AstraZeneca R&D

Laura Perez Benito, Senior Scientist, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV

Robert Soliva, PhD, Principal Scientist, Data Science, Almirall SA

12:45Networking Luncheon

BRIDGING TRANSLATIONAL GAPS USING AI/ML

13:55

Chairperson's Remarks

Tudor Oprea, MD, PhD, CEO, Expert Systems, Inc.

14:00

Using Artificial Intelligence for Model Interpretation

Tudor Oprea, MD, PhD, CEO, Expert Systems, Inc.

The Expert Systems AIML platform provides simultaneous predictions for thousands of machine learning models. Here, we briefly introduce the ExSys AIML platform, focusing on prediction prioritisation. Given appropriate context, our platform quickly sifts through all the predictions, eliminates those that do not match predefined criteria (e.g., prediction quality, model size), provides a qualitative assessment, and highlights predictions that require further action. This post-ML system is designed to quickly sift through thousands of predictions and flag both problematic compounds and those with promising potential.

14:30

Advanced Quantum Methods for Structure-Based Drug Design: Unlocking Challenging Enzymes and Covalent Reactivity

Vid Stojevic, PhD, CoFounder & CEO, Kuano Ltd.

Kuano’s proprietary combination of advanced quantum methods enables sophisticated and highly-accurate predictions of complex systems, including transition states and transition metals. ‘Quantum Pharmacophores’ coupled with AI-assisted workflow guide the design of small molecule inhibitors with enhanced specificity, binding complementarity, and potential for covalency. Pipeline examples presented include: in vivo efficacy for a first-in-class colorectal cancer target; resolving selectivity-associated toxicity for methyltransferase DNMT1; selective phosphatase inhibitors; and covalent reactivity prediction.

15:00 PANEL DISCUSSION:

AI/ML in Drug Discovery: Where Are We on the Gartner Hype Cycle

PANEL MODERATOR:

Michael Liebman, PhD, Managing Director, IPQ Analytics, LLC

Topics to be discussed:

  • From each of our perspectives, medicinal chemistry, business development and modeling, where would we place AI/ML in drug discovery on the Gartner Hype Cycle?
  • Does the AI/ML drug discovery cycle differ from previous ones, e.g. molecular modeling software, computer graphics, combinatorial chemistry, high throughput screening, blockchain?​
  • Are we addressing the real problems in drug discovery…or applying new and exciting technology without acknowledging them?
PANELISTS:

Robert A. Galemmo, PhD, Principal, Robert Galemmo Consulting, LLC

Alessandro Monge, PhD, Managing Partner, Blue Dolphin

15:30Close of Conference





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