ELRIG 2024 Manchester: Focus on Drug Discovery

Keynote speakers for the European Laboratory Research & Innovation Group (ELRIG) UK, to be held at the University of Manchester from 20–21 March are Steve Bates OBE FMedSci, CEO, BioIndustry Association (BIA) and Dr Anderson Ryan, Co-founder and Head of R&D and Drug Development, FasT BioPharma.

Free-to-attend, the event will focus on emerging biology and innovative technologies, offering opportunities for discussion and networking.

The four main sessions will cover animal-free technologies, oncology drug discovery, tackling antimicrobial resistance and advances in mass spectrometry techniques and proteomics. There will also be a trade show and exhibition, a poster competition and networking opportunities. New at ELRIG this year will be the TechBio Breakthrough Zone, an exhibition space providing young companies with an arena to present its technology and connect with potential customers and collaborators. There is also an opportunity to nominate early-career professionals for ELRIG’s Impact Award which in recognition of an individual’s scientific contribution and its impact on early-stage drug discovery.

Steve Bates, who leads the BIA, the UK’s trade association for innovative life science companies, is a strong advocate of partnership working, sector collaboration with research charities and academia. Committed to next-generation talent and developing the skills needed for the sector to flourish, he serves on the UK Government’s Life Sciences Council and Vaccine Taskforce as well as the UK Biosecurity Leadership Council. Involved in enabling effective industrial incentives, such as the Biomedical Catalyst, he has also forged links for the sector across the USA, Europe and China. Steve was awarded an OBE for services to innovation in 2017 and became a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Science in 2020.

Dr Anderson Ryan, scientific co-founder of oncology focused startup FasT BioPharma, has served as VP Head of Oncology at Mission Therapeutics, Head of Translational Science at Medicines Discovery Catapult and worked in a number of roles at AstraZeneca including leading translational science programmes across a broad range of preclinical and clinical oncology indications. Anderson was a lecturer in cancer studies at the University of Manchester and Associate Professor and Senior MRC Group Leader in the Department of Oncology at the University of Oxford, investigating new therapeutic approaches in lung cancer. He is an oncology/drug-development reviewer for key funders, including CRUK, UKRI and Innovate UK.

Sarah Brockbank, Conference Director, ELRIG UK and Strategy Leader—Complex Medicines, Medicines Discovery Catapult, said: “We have an outstanding line up of speakers covering key focus areas in drug discovery and development. These world-leading experts will share their insights and experiences on the challenges and opportunities in the field and we are honoured to have Steve Bates and Dr Anderson Ryan on board as keynote speakers.

Roger Clark, Conference Director, ELRIG UK and Head of High Throughput Screening, Charles River Laboratories, said: “We look forward to welcoming scientists from academia and industry to the University of Manchester, celebrating its bicentenary this year — the perfect setting to share bold ideas to accelerate future drug discovery and reflect upon the transformative achievements that have paved the way for new generation therapeutics.”

Steve Bates said: “I’m delighted to be speaking at ELRIG Research and Innovation this year. The event presents an excellent opportunity for the vibrant life sciences industry to connect, collaborate and discuss the latest innovations. This is vital to the success of the community as we strive towards the discovery and development of new medicines to cure more patients around the world.”

Dr Anderson Ryan commented: “The organisers have put together a terrific line up packed with interesting talks, poster presentations, exhibitors and networking opportunities. I’m proud to be presenting at such an exciting event, providing researchers and entrepreneurs with a host of opportunities to discover emerging biology and cutting-edge technologies, including those from young companies.”

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