Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s 3rd Annual
Small-Molecule Discovery Technologies
Innovations in Fragment-Based Drug Discovery and Emerging Lead-Generation Tools
April 20-21, 2027
CHI’s Small-Molecule Discovery Technologies conference covers lead-generation approaches ranging from well-established fragment-based ligand design to newer medicinal chemistry advances such as covalent chemistry and direct-to-biology (D2B) applications. A focus will also be on biophysical-based tools that enable small-molecule drug discovery against difficult-to-drug targets where detection of ligand-target interaction is the required readout because of the target's lack of enzymatic/functional activity. The companion Targeting Protein-Protein Interactions conference in the second half of Drug Discovery Chemistry delves deeper into promising compounds discovered as a result of innovations in Small-Molecule Discovery Technologies. The full event keeps you apprised of new approaches, innovative applications of well-established tools, and abreast of small-molecule compounds showing medical promise. All while providing the chance to interact with leaders in the fields of medicinal and biophysical chemistry.
Coverage will likely include:
- Fragment-based drug discovery innovations, best-practices, and expanded applications
- Covalent fragments as tools for TPD and induced-proximity discovery
- Covalent inhibitor discovery
- Direct-to-Biology (D2B) applications to lead generation
- New methods related to, or uses of, biophysical tools (e.g., NMR, SPR, Mass Spectrometry, ASMS)
- Merging information from various hit finding strategies (FBDD, DEL, Structure-Based Drug Design, Machine Learning) for more efficient hit-to-lead steps or drug candidate selection
The deadline for priority consideration is October 5, 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:
- To submit a podium presentation, please click here.
- To become a sponsor, click here.
- To present a poster, click here.