On 24 November 2026 at 15:00, the Madeira Chemistry Research Centre (CQM) will host the seminar “Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Drug Discovery: Current & Outlook”, presented by Professor Serge Mignani, Senior Researcher at CQM, in Conference Room 0.57.

Registration until 23rd of November 2026. Registration form

ABSTRACT

Medicinal chemistry is an interdisciplinary research field that is evolving rapidly. Its aim is to improve human health by developing drugs to combat disease. Fundamental to the discovery of safe and effective drugs, it underpins chemical biology, pharmacology and medicine. An important question is how can we succeed in finding and developing new drugs? The key elements to be identified can be categorized as follows: The right target, the right tissue, the right safety profile, the right patients, the right commercial potential and the right culture. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming drug discovery by rapidly analyzing large amounts of biological and chemical data. It helps identify new molecules and predict their effectiveness, toxicity, and interactions with biological targets. AI can accelerate drug research and reduce development costs, while its predictions still require validation through laboratory experiments and clinical trials. Its integration into pharmaceutical research has transformed drug discovery by improving data analysis, molecular design, clinical development, and the identification of innovative therapeutic solutions.
This presentation will explore the various applications of AI in drug discovery, including AI-based drug target identification, structure- and ligand-based drug design, generative models for de novo molecular design, retrosynthesis, drug repurposing, and nanomedicine.