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The initiation of a small molecule drug discovery project invariably involves the identification of potential small-molecule start points from which we must develop novel advanced proprietary compounds that are safe, stable, and active in vivo. The road to these drug candidates is paved with challenges so how can we best navigate hit finding to ensure that we prepare for entry to lead optimization by identifying better hits, more rapidly? How might this provide impact on reduced attrition and more efficiently lead to superior drug candidates?
This webinar is moderated by Tom Coulter (Integrated Drug Discovery Director) and is delivered by Rob Young (Blue Burgundy and ex-GSK), Tomasz Fraczek (Senior Scientist, Selvita), and Mateusz Biernacki (Head of HTS, Selvita).

The webinar will:

• Incorporate discussion of the background to HTS and other popular screening approaches.
• Visit current thinking on hit identification.
• Then consider future technological opportunities and working practices which together will enhance the process of finding high quality hits and leads.

Ardigen, a part of Selvita Group, organized a live webinar “AI methods in small molecule design”. The event took take place on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at 04:00 PM CEST and was be held by experts from three companies from Selvita Group - Ardigen (Dr. Michał Warchoł and Dr. Krzysztof Rataj), Selvita (Dr. Tom Coulter), and Fidelta (Dr. Steve Price).

They presented and discussed various methods of AI application in drug design: the current state-of-the-art AI models for small molecules, which protein properties can be predicted and how to generate new molecules for your project.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic and relapsing, autoimmune disease characterized by a break-down of self-tolerance that leads to tissue inflammation and multiorgan damage. Mouse models of lupus are not only an indispensable tool for studying lupus immunopathogenesis but also serve as a powerful system for fast screening of new SLE treatments in order to evaluate their safety and efficacy prior to clinical trials. Due to the extensive heterogenicity of clinical manifestations of SLE in humans, each mouse model displays only specific attributes of the human lupus phenotype. The webinar gives an insight into the most commonly used mouse models of SLE, highlighting their similarities and differences and discussing the advantages of using one model over the other and tailoring it for specific needs in preclinical research in the context of our current understanding of the immunopathogenesis of SLE.

The variability and complexity of biological medicines compel extensive and comprehensive characterization studies to ensure safety and efficacy. Compared to small-molecule drugs, structural and functional characterization of biologics can be a tedious and challenging process. It involves using state-of-the-art technologies to evaluate the purity, specificity, potency, and toxicity, all in accordance with international regulatory guidelines. During the webinar, Selvita’s Experts intend to characterize regulatory requirements and provide an outlook for analytical approaches for biosimilar development and manufacturing process changes.

The webinar features a discussion between some of Selvita’s most experienced scientific team members: Magdalena Bielak-Łakomska, Associate Director in Analytics, and Jan Smagur, Director of Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, moderated by Krzysztof Stawujak, Business Development Manager.

This webinar features a discussion between some of Selvita’s most experienced scientific team members, on selecting small molecule modalities to address protein targets in drug discovery. The debate highlights areas of experience and recommendations for planning approaches for new projects. Dr. Anna Karawajczyk, Head of Computational Chemistry, moderates a discussion of Dr. Tom Coulter, Integrated Drug Discovery Director, Dr. Przemyslaw Zawadzki, Director of Medicinal Chemistry and Dr. Piotr Graczyk, Scientific Director.