ELRIG, a not-for-profit, volunteer-led organisation dedicated to the global drug discovery community, today announced the keynote speaker programme for Drug Discovery 2026.
This year’s event celebrating collaboration and inclusion, marks 20 years of ELRIG’s annual Drug Discovery conference with keynote sessions both reflecting on the past and looking towards the future.
Dr Sam Barrell CBE (LifeArc) will present the opening keynote followed by a panel discussion with Dr Anne Phelan (GSK), Dr Jason Mellad (OtoImmune), Prof Sir Mene Pangalos (AstraZeneca) and Prof Raghib Ali OBE (Our Future Health) chaired by Dr Saleha Patel (ELRIG and Constructive Bio) on the second day.
The flagship event takes place from 14–15 October at the ExCeL London,UK, offering attendees free access to the latest insights from leaders across academia and industry, and the opportunity to connect with the drug discovery community.
ELRIG’s 20th annual Drug Discovery conference represents two decades of supporting the global life science community through collaboration, innovation and accessibility.
As ELRIG’s flagship event, this significant milestone reflects the continued growth and impact of the conference within the drug discovery sector.
This year’s 18 scientific tracks span next‑generation biophysics, microbes to medicines, multiomics, AI in compound discovery and experimental design, bioconjugation approaches in oncology, next‑generation imaging, CRISPR and genome engineering, cell‑based models, medicinal chemistry, translational innovation and more, showcasing the full breadth of scientific and technological advances shaping the future of drug discovery.
ELRIG is also collaborating with organisations including SLAS, Cancer Research UK, The Microbiology Society, British Neuroscience Association and the Royal Society of Chemistry to bring a broad range of content.
The exhibition hall promises 3,000 attendees the opportunity to meet with, engage and learn from the leaders in drug discovery, as well as over 250 product and service suppliers and 400 posters.
The conference will also host a breakthrough zone for startups, a tech theatre, consultancy café and coaching corner as well as dedicated events for early-career professionals (ECPs), including ‘Network Like a Boss’, “Meet & Greet’ and ‘Mini DD’ sessions and students from local schools as part of its ‘Adventures for Tomorrow’s Scientists’ initiative.
There will be several coveted awards recognising individuals making outstanding contributions to the life sciences, ECPs shaping the future of drug discovery, innovative science and technology, as well as impactful posters.
For a full listing of speakers and sessions, to register or book an exhibition stand, please visit https://elrig.org/portfolio/drug-discovery-2026.
