Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s 3rd Annual
Targeting PPIs with Peptides & Small Molecules
Therapeutic Options for Protein-Protein Interaction Drug Targets
11-12 November 2026
Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs) represent a large percentage of drug targets because many diseases can be traced to protein complexes that either fall apart too easily or stay together too long. However, many disease-related PPIs are challenging to drug because they are intracellular and therefore can only be targeted by cell-permeable therapeutic agents. Typically, only small molecules can freely pass across the cell membrane; most peptides and antibodies are too large. But alas, PPI surfaces are often too featureless, large and non-enzymatic for small molecules to be revealed by traditional high-throughput screening. However, new biophysical-based methods and other discovery advances are enabling small molecule success against PPIs. Furthermore, recent innovations in peptide chemistry and applications of artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) are enabling the discovery or design of cell-penetrable and/or orally bioavailable peptides. Join Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s Targeting PPIs with Peptides & Small Molecules conference to hear case studies on PPI-targeted agents and learn about the innovations driving progress.
Coverage will include, but is not limited to:
- AI/ML applied to PPI-targeted peptide drug design
- De novo design principles for macrocyclic peptides (oral and/or membrane-permeable)
- Macrocyclic/constrained peptide discovery strategies
- Discovery stage progress against difficult-to-drug PPI targets (eg: Ras, transcription factors, helicases, RNA-Protein complexes)
- Molecular stabilisers or non-degrader glues for PPI targets
- Targeting neurodegeneration complexes with small molecules
- Case studies of small-molecule lead-generation approaches for PPI targets (FBDD, DEL, Covalent)
The deadline for priority consideration is 3 April 2026
All proposals are subject to review by session chairpersons and/or the Scientific Advisory Committee to ensure the overall quality of the conference program. Additionally, as per Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s policy, a select number of vendors and consultants who provide products and services will be offered opportunities for podium presentation slots based on a variety of Corporate Sponsorships.
Opportunities for Participation: