For twenty years, ELRIG’s Drug Discovery conference has provided a unique meeting place where scientists from academia, biotech, pharma, CROs and technology providers come together to exchange ideas, build collaborations and accelerate innovation.
This October, the conference returns to ExCeL, London to celebrate its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of supporting the global drug discovery community through open access, collaboration and scientific excellence. What began as a grassroots initiative has grown into Europe’s largest free-to-attend drug discovery event, welcoming thousands of delegates each year while remaining true to its founding principles of accessibility, inclusivity and community.
Drug Discovery 2026 will feature a 14 track, exceptional scientific programme spanning the full discovery pipeline, from target identification and validation through to translational science, advanced therapeutics and enabling technologies. Delegates will have the opportunity to explore the latest advances in AI-enabled drug discovery, biophysics, medicinal chemistry, microbiology, cell and gene therapies, automation, next-generation screening technologies, multi-omics and much more.
The milestone event will also feature one of its strongest keynote programmes to date. Day one will open with keynote speaker Sam Barrell CBE (LifeArc). On day two, for the first time in the conference’s history, ELRIG will host a keynote panel, featuring Dr Anne Phelan (GSK), Dr Jason Mellad (OtoImmune), Professor Sir Mene Pangalos (AstraZeneca) and Professor Raghib Ali OBE (Our Future Health). Chaired by Dr Saleha Patel (ELRIG and Constructive Bio), the panel will bring together leaders from across industry, biotech and healthcare to discuss the opportunities, challenges and innovations shaping the future of drug discovery.
As a volunteer-led, not-for-profit organisation, ELRIG continues to believe that the best science happens when knowledge is shared openly. Free registration ensures researchers from every career stage and every part of the life science ecosystem can participate, creating an environment where new ideas, partnerships and innovations flourish.
Whether you are an established researcher, an early-career scientist, a technology developer or a commercial partner, Drug Discovery 2026 offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn from world-leading experts, discover emerging technologies, expand your professional network and help shape the next generation of medicines.
Join us at ExCeL London on 14–15 October 2026 as we celebrate twenty years of collaboration – and look ahead to the next twenty years of discovery.