Drug Discovery
Understand the elements involved in modern drug discovery.
The course will give you a general comprehension of the elements involved in modern drug discovery from target discovery & validation, via ligand identification and optimization to animal disease models. The course will thus increase your knowledge of the drug discovery process and give you a basis to engage in qualified discussions with colleagues working in drug discovery.
As an initial step in drug discovery, the target involved in a given disease has to be identified and validated, which will subsequently lead to design of ligands acting selectively in a desired fashion at the target. Finally, the lead candidates have to show efficacy in relevant animal disease models before the final candidate can enter pre-clinical studies. In the current course we will focus on the target identification and validation as well as the lead optimization processes.
The course consists of a mixture of lectures by a range of experts from the pharmaceutical industry and academia. You will thus gain knowledge integrating both theoretical and practical aspects. The course will include a practical workshop and feature a symposium with international speakers, highlighting specific drug discovery cases.
Speakers at the symposium include, among others, Dr. David Hackos, Genentech, US and Dr Sebastian Meyer, Numab, Switzerland.
Today, almost all drug discovery programs are directed towards design of either small molecules or biologics acting selectively at specific targets. This course will cover both biologics and small molecules.
You will learn to:
- demonstrate comprehension of target identification and validation methods and processes
- demonstrate insight into lead optimization methods and processes
- conduct a valid scientific literature study in the area of drug discovery
- write a scientifically based report on drug discovery aspects using scientific literature.
Professionals in need of interdisciplinary overview
The course is for professionals in the pharmaceutical industry who need an interdisciplinary overview of the drug discovery process.
Participants must
- Hold a relevant bachelor degree or equivalent
- Have a minimum 2 years of relevant job experience in drug development
- Be proficient in English
Find detailed information about the admission criteria.
Course responsible
Associate Professor Stephan Alexander Pless, University of Copenhagen
University Lectures
Stephan Alexander Pless, University of Copenhagen
Harald S. Hansen, University of Copenhagen
Rasmus P. Clausen, University of Copenhagen
Cord Brakebusch, BRIC/University of Copenhagen
Bo Hjorth Bentzen, University of Copenhagen
David Gloriam, University of Copenhagen
Torben Hansen, University of Copenhagen
Kristian Strømgaard, University of Copenhagen
Visiting experts from the pharmaceutical industry
David Hackos, Genentech, US
Sebastian Meyer, Numab, Switzerland
Benny Bang-Andersen, H. Lundbeck
Ole Thastrup, 2cureX, Denmark
This course is offered as an compulsory course in the Master of Industrial Drug Development programme.
Priority is given to students enrolled on Master of Industrial Drug Development. Once the enrolled students have been admitted to the course, the remaining seats are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Course details
| Duration: | 5 days on campus |
| Dates: | 13-17 May 2024 |
| Frequency | Only available every second year |
| Place: | University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Course fee: |
EU/EEA citizens: 12,900 DKK Fees may be subject to change in 2024 The fee includes lunch/coffee. |
| Level and credit: | Master course; 3 ECTS |
| Examination date: | Please consult the exam schedule |
| Application deadline: | 8 weeks prior to the first day of lectures |
| Admission: | To be admitted, you must meet the admission criteria for Master of Industrial Drug Development |
Course dates and application deadlines are announced via the programme newsletter.
Download course curriculum