Industry leaders to headline Drug Discovery 2026

From AI-driven compound design and multiomics to next-generation imaging and genome engineering, the technologies expected to transform drug discovery will take centre stage at Drug Discovery 2026 when the event returns to ExCeL London on 14–15 October.

Organised by ELRIG, the annual conference is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a programme spanning 18 scientific tracks and bringing together researchers from academia, biotech and the pharmaceutical industry.

“This year’s event is a chance to recognise how far the community has come - and to look ahead to what’s next,” said Del Trezise, Chair of ELRIG.

Opening the event will be Dr Sam Barrell CBE, CEO of LifeArc, while a keynote panel featuring Dr Anne Phelan of GSK, Dr Jason Mellad of OtoImmune, Professor Sir Mene Pangalos (AstraZeneca) and Professor Raghib Ali OBE (Our Future Health) will explore how innovation, collaboration and emerging technologies are reshaping the drug discovery landscape.

The programme reflects the growing convergence of disciplines now driving therapeutic development, with sessions covering biophysics, AI-assisted experimental design, CRISPR and genome engineering, cell-based models, translational innovation, medicinal chemistry and bioconjugation strategies in oncology.

More than 3,000 attendees are expected, alongside over 250 suppliers, offering opportunities to explore new technologies, engage with emerging companies and discuss the latest advances across the discovery pipeline.

Celebrating two decades of supporting the life science community, Drug Discovery 2026 will combine scientific insight, networking and technology showcases with a focus on the ideas and partnerships likely to influence the next generation of medicines.

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