Day 1 – 4 June 2026
09:45 – 10:25	Registration and Refreshments
10:25 – 10:30	Welcome and Introduction – Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, Principle of the University of Edinburgh
Session Chair	Professor Kathryn Ball & Professor Asier Unciti-Broceta
10:30 – 11:15	UK NHS adoption of pharmacogenetics: exploiting UK strengths	Dr Emma Magavern, Queen Mary University of London
11:15 – 11:45	Using AI in Protein Structure Prediction and Drug Design	Dr Miles Congreve, Isomorphic Laboratories
11:45 – 12:15	Targeted, precision oligonucleotide therapies for rare diseases	Professor Nick Lench, NATA
Session Chair	Dr Dawn Livingstone & Dr Mark Nixon
12:15 – 12:30	7D-Liraglutide: A novel GLP-1 receptor agonist with improved functional properties – preliminary results	OC1 - Paweł Figurski, Wrocław Medical University
12:30 – 12:45	From Binding Kinetics to Cellular Activity: Evaluation of eIF4A1 Inhibitors, mechanistic modelling as a tool to assess inhibitor efficacy	OC2 - Eleanor Godsman, Cancer Research Horizons
12:45 – 13:00	The Guide to Pharmacology and AntibioticDB: Expert-curated pharmacological datasets vital for machine-learning in drug discovery	OC3 - Simon Harding, University of Edinburgh
13:00 – 14:00	Lunch and Poster Viewing
Session Chair	Professors Scott Webster & Professor Mairi Brittan
14:00 – 14:30	Protein degraders as pharmacological tools and drugs	Professor Alessio Ciulli, University of Dundee
14:30 – 15:00	Bacterial superglues to empower biologics discovery, cell therapy and disease prevention	Professor Mark Howarth, University of Cambridge
Session Chair	Professor Sue Fleetwood-Walker & Dr Jessica Ivy
15:00 – 15:15	From prediction to prescription: transparent machine learning provides clinically actionable risk prediction in paracetamol toxicity	OC4 - Chris Humphries, University of Edinburgh
15:15 – 15:30	The CERSI-PGx eLearning portal: an interactive training resource in pharmacogenomics	OC5 – Rebecca Jensen, University of Liverpool
15:30 – 15:45	High-Throughput Identification of Novel Bispecific Target Combinations in Inflammatory and Immunological Diseases	OC6 – Paolo Meoni, Sanofi
15:45 – 16:15	Refreshment Break
Session Chair	Professor David Argyle, Head of College, CMVM, University of Edinburgh
16:15 – 17:30	Cameron Prize Lecture	Professor Lotte Bjerre Knudsen, Dr Jesper Lau and Dr Thomas Kruse
17:30 – 17:40	Closing Remarks

 

Day 2 – 5 June 2026
08:30 – 08:55	Registration and refreshments
08:55 – 09:00	Welcome to day 2 (Professor Simon Maxwell & Professor Mark Evans)
Session Chairs	Professor Mark Evans & Professor Jamie Davies
09:00 – 09:30	CAR-T and TCR-T cells	Dr Benjamin Taylor, AstraZeneca
09:30 – 10:00	The potential of organoids in regenerative therapy	Professor Melissa Little, Murdoch Children's Research Institute
10:00 – 10:30	Are we done with small molecules or is there new life in Allosteric Modulators?	Dr Arnaud Bastien, Bristol Myers Squibb
10:30 – 11:00	Refreshment Break
Session Chairs	Professor James Dear & Dr Andrea Caporali
11:00 – 11:15	Measuring Gi/o subtype signalling by metabolite sensing GPCRs with novel BRET-based biosensors	OC7 – Brian Hudson, University of Glasgow
11:15 – 11:30	Real time monitoring of GPCR early endosomal activity for all Gα subfamilies using BRET-based biosensors	OC8 – Sarah Hungerford, University of Glasgow
11:30 – 11:45	Do NSAIDs always harm the gut? Rethinking prostaglandins in gut immunity	OC9 – Chengcan Yao, University of Edinburgh
Session Chair	Professor David Webb, University of Edinburgh
11:45 – 12:30	The future of UK biomedical research	Professor Sir Mark Caulfield, Queen Mary University of London
12:30 – 12:40	Closing remarks
12:40 – 13:45	Lunch
Conference close

Professor Mark Howarth

University of Cambridge



Talk Title:  Bacterial superglues to empower biologics discovery, cell therapy and disease prevention

Biography: Mark Howarth is the Sheild Professor in Cambridge University Department of Pharmacology. His group has developed a range of protein superglues that are widely used in academia and biotech, leading to the concept of Click Biology. For this work he received the Royal Society of Chemistry Norman Heatley Award for chemical biology. He co-founded the vaccine company SpyBiotech and Gastrobody Therapeutics. 9 alumni from his lab have spun out their own companies. He is also the Translational Champion for his Department, working to develop entrepreneurship and to enhance industry/academia cooperation.

Abstract: The investigation and application of protein function is often limited by dissociation. Our lab re-engineered an adhesion system from Streptococcus pyogenes to generate an irreversible peptide-protein interaction (SpyTag/SpyCatcher). This superglue is genetically-encodable and shows specificity in diverse cellular environments. We accelerated reactivity to the diffusion limit and generated variants switchable by light, pH or temperature. SpyTag allows rapid reformatting of antibodies with reporters or effector molecules. SpyMask inducible reactivity allows simple assembly of bispecific antibody panels, to change the output of receptor signalling in cells and discover new therapeutic synergy. SpyTag also enables simple reformatting of CAR-T cells, virus-like particles for vaccination, or viral vectors for gene therapy. We have developed an independent bacterial superglue called NeissLock, engineered from Neisseria meningitidis. NeissLock allows covalent reaction at the cell-surface to unmodified human proteins via an anhydride. Applications will be discussed towards cell therapy and for broad protection against emerging disease threats.

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Dr Benjamin Taylor

AstraZeneca



Talk title:  CAR-T and TCR-T cells

Biography: Ben Taylor is a Senior Director within the Cell Therapy Discovery unit in AstraZeneca. He leads a team in early R&D helping develop next generation cell therapies using gene editing technologies and advanced in-vitro cell biology. Prior to AstraZeneca in 2014, he completed a PhD at Imperial College and Postdoc at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology on epigenetic regulation and DNA mutagenesis in cancer.

Abstract: CAR-T and TCR-T cell therapies have transformed the treatment landscape for haematological malignancies. However, their application in solid tumours remains limited by the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment. To address this, AstraZeneca has developed the "DIAL" framework—a strategic approach to guide the design and development of next-generation cell therapies. This presentation will introduce the DIAL framework and highlight our latest preclinical and clinical efforts aimed at enhancing therapeutic efficacy in solid tumour settings.

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Dr Miles Congreve

Isomorphic Laboratories



Talk title:  Artificial intelligence (AI) in determining protein structure and drug targets

Biography: Dr. Congreve is the CSO at Isomorphic Labs, joining in May 2022. Previously, he was CSO at Sosei Heptares (2008-2022; CSO 2019) and previously held senior leadership positions at Astex Therapeutics (2001-2008) and GSK (1993-2001). Dr. Congreve is an author of over 200 drug design publications. He has contributed to the discovery of 29 clinical agents, including 3 marketed drugs. He is a co-inventor of Ribociclib (Kisqali®), a first-line treatment for metastatic breast cancer. He was recipient of the RSC Malcolm Campbell Memorial Prize (2015) and is an editorial advisory board member for the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. In August 2025 Dr. Congreve was recognised in the TIME 100 AI list as one of the world’s most influential people in AI. 

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Professor Nick Lench PhD, FRCPath

Executive Director, MRC Nucleic Acid Therapy Accelerator (NATA)



Talk title: Targeted, precision oligonucleotide therapies for rare diseases

Biography: Nick is Executive Director of the MRC Nucleic Acid Therapy Accelerator based at Harwell Research and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire, UK. Nick has extensive experience in rare disease genetics and genomic medicine and has worked in academia, industry and the NHS. Nick was a co-founder of Congenica, a leading international digital health company providing clinical decision support software for rare disease diagnosis and precision medicine.   Prior to founding Congenica, Nick was Director of Genetics Services at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London and is an Honoray Professor in Genetics and Genomic Medicine at the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL. 

Abstract: Rare genetic diseases collectively affect approximately 7% of the population; however, effective therapies are only available for <5% of all rare diseases. Advances in genomic medicine and nucleic acid technologies have paved the way for targeted, precision therapies that address the root causes of many of these conditions. Oligonucleotide-based therapeutics—particularly antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs)—offer a transformative approach by modulating gene expression, correcting splicing defects, or silencing pathogenic mutations at the RNA level.

The presentation will explore the current landscape and future potential of oligonucleotide therapies for rare diseases, highlighting recent clinical successes such as treatments for spinal muscular atrophy and hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis. It will also discuss the scientific, translational and regulatory challenges in developing personalized therapies for ultra-rare conditions, including N-of-1 studies.

I will highlight the work of the MRC Nucleic Acid Therapy Accelerator with specific case studies from oligonucleotide design and target validation to preclinical testing and safety profiling. Emphasis will be placed on interdisciplinary strategies to reduce toxicity and off-target effects and improve tissue-and cell-specific delivery for these exciting new treatments.
 

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Professor Melissa Little

Murdoch Children's Research Institute



Talk title:  The potential of organoids in regenerative therapy

Biography: Professor Melissa Little, AC, FRS, BSc (Hons I), PhD, GAICD, FAAHMS, FAAS, the is CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), Chief Scientist at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, and Group Leader of the Kidney Regeneration Laboratory, Melbourne.  Melissa is the Past President of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, an elected Fellow of the Royal Society, a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) and holds an honorary position as Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne.   

Internationally recognised for her work on kidney development and her pioneering studies into potential regenerative therapies in the kidney, Professor Little’s approach to generating kidney organoids from human pluripotent stem cells has been adopted across the globe where it is being applied to disease modelling, drug screening and renal replacement therapies. Founded on >30 years of fundamental developmental biology, her stem cell research illustrates the capacity for understanding to be applied to product development. Professor Little’s work has been recognised by many awards, including the GlaxoSmithKline Award for Research Excellence (2005); an Eisenhower Fellowship (2006); a Boorhaave Professorship (2015); an Honorary Doctorate (2019), Leiden University; the Eureka Prize (2016); the Alfred Newton Richards Award from the International Society for Nephrology (2018) for her kidney organoid research; the Julian Wells Medal (2020) for her outstanding contribution to understanding of genetic basis of kidney development; the Homer W. Smith Award (2021) for outstanding contributions that fundamentally affect the science of nephrology; and, the NHMRC Marshall and Warren Ideas Grant Award (2021) for being the top ranked recipient in the Ideas Grant Scheme for 2021.  

Melissa is a Companion of the Order of Australia, Fellow of the Royal Society, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, Fellow of the Danish Royal Academy of Science and Letters. She is on the editorial board of the Cell Stem Cell, Nature Reviews Nephrology, Development and Kidney International. Melissa has previously held the role of President of the Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research, Program Leader of Stem Cells Australia, and the Chief Scientific Officer of the Australian Stem Cell Centre. 

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Professor Alessio Ciulli

University of Dundee



Talk title: Protein degraders as pharmacological tools and drugs 

Biography: Alessio Ciulli is renowned for his pioneering work in targeted protein degradation (TPD), a cutting-edge approach in drug discovery that harnesses the cell's natural disposal machinery to eliminate disease-causing proteins. This new modality witnesses over 50 drugs currently in clinical trials. His research has significantly advanced our understanding of how to develop more effective therapies through the design of molecules known as PROTACs (Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras) and molecular glues. He has authored high-impact publications, co-founded biotech ventures, partnered with the pharmaceutical industry, and has attracted international recognition through prestigious awards—including his recent election as a Fellow of the Royal Society. His leadership at Dundee’s Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation underscores his influential role in translating basic science into innovative therapeutic solutions.

Abstract: Our laboratory at the Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation (CeTPD) reveals molecular information on protein interactions and ubiquitination complexes and mechanisms to design novel therapeutic concepts. Protein degraders, also known as PROTACs (PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimeras) and molecular glues, recruit a target protein to a ubiquitin E3 ligase for targeted protein degradation. Formation of a stable ternary complex between the degrader, the E3 ligase and the target is a critical step that leads to productive tagging of the target protein by ubiquitination, and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Our research has illuminated fundamental structural and biophysical insights into molecular recognition and mechanism of action of protein degraders, that have guided the design and optimization of novel small molecules for hard-to-target proteins. I will be reflecting on the evolution of the TPD field, from early design principles to today’s landscape of PROTACs and molecular glues. Latest advances from the Lab in mechanistic understanding and chemical structural biology of degraders ternary complexes will be showcased. I will also highlight collaborative academic-industry consortia tackling grand challenges with undruggable targets in pediatric cancers and neurodegenerative diseases, charting the next-generation of proximity-based therapeutics.

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Dr Emma Magavern

Queen Mary University of London



Biography:  Dr Emma Magavern is a Clinical Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacology and an MRC Clinician Scientist. She completed her PhD in pharmacogenomics at the William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, working with Professor Sir Mark Caulfield and Professor Damian Smedley. She completed a BA in English prior to her MD and subsequent MScs in Bioethics and Genomics. Through training in clinical medicine, humanities, genetics, and pharmacology she has developed an interest in the scientific merits, clinical potential and implementation challenges of pharmacogenomics. Her main focus is on leveraging genomic medicine to reduce existing health inequalities.

Abstract: Pharmacogenomics (PGx) explores how genetic variation can cause variability in medication response. Though we know that there is interindividual variability in response to medications, our current approach to evidence generation underpinning the licensure and use of medication relies on population level research data. This means that evidence is often extrapolated from more homogenous populations to real world clinical practice where patients may come from under represented ancestry groups. Yet population level genetic data shows that genetic variants known to impact on risk of inefficacy or adverse drug events in response to medications may be much more common in some ancestry groups than others. Furthermore, epidemiologic data reveals that prevalence of disease indications for known PGx medications may also vary widely between populations of different ancestry. Therefore under-represented groups may in some cases have heightened genetic risk of not benefiting from or having a bad reaction to a medication and may also be more likely to require that medication as compared with populations from which safety and efficacy data is generated. The potential benefits and costs pf PGx across diverse ancestry groups may thus not be well represented by homogenous ancestry data cohorts or clinical trial groups. PGx provides an opportunity to wield genetic tools to target existing health inequities and more effectively stratify medical therapy but requires sustained and meaningful engagement with under-represented patients and participants.

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Dr Arnaud Bastien

Bristol Myers Squibb



Talk title: TBC 

Biography:  Arnaud Bastien, MD is Vice President and Global Program Lead, Early and Late Development, Cardiovascular and Neuroscience at Bristol Myers Squibb.

Dr. Bastien is the Leader of the Myosin Inhibition Programs at BMS and responsible for leading the Global Program Teams, for orchestrating the design and execution of global integrated program strategy from candidate nomination through drug development to successful launch and commercialization.

He is a board-certified internist with more than 15 years of industry experience. He has held key leadership positions in clinical drug development positions in both large pharmaceutical and biotech companies. He served as Vice President and Head of Clinical Development at Roivant Sciences and Acting CMO of Lysovant Sciences, where he oversaw end to end development and in-licensing of research compounds in multiple therapeutic areas including, cardiovascular, pulmonology, hematology, and gene therapy. Prior to this, Arnaud was Head of Clinical Research at Akros Pharma, where he oversaw early clinical development activities across several therapeutic areas including immunology, cardiovascular, metabolic and hematology and renal diseases first-in-human through Phase 2b. He also oversaw all clinical aspects for outlicensing.

He is a member of the Board of Directors at the Coriell Institute for Medical Research. Prior to industry, he had a long-term university practice for high-risk cardiometabolic patients and conducted research on HIV, TB and high-risk cardiometabolic disease. He is the recipient of NIH-NHLBI RO1 grants for ALLHAT and ACCORD, and he was previously an Associate Professor of Medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine-Camden. Dr. Bastien received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University, his medical degree at the Universidad Mundial Dominicana, Dominican Republic. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at UMDNJ, Cooper University Hospital, trained as a research fellow in HIV at SUNY Downstate, where he was also a member of the Downstate Medical School Faculty in Preventive Medicine. Arnaud attended the Rutgers University School of Business and Management for executive education in Biopharma Innovation, as well as the McKinsey Executive Leadership Development training program.

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Professor Sir Mark Caulfield

Queen Mary University of London



Talk title: TBC 

Biography:  Professor Sir Mark Caulfield is Professor of Clinical Pharmacology at Queen Mary University of London and the CEO of Barts Life Sciences, a research and innovation partnership between Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust. From January 2022 he is Vice Principal for Health for Queen Mary’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

Professor Caulfield graduated in Medicine in 1984 from the London Hospital Medical College and trained in Clinical Pharmacology at St Bartholomew’s Hospital where he developed a research programme in molecular genetics of hypertension and translational clinical research.

At Queen Mary University of London Professor Caulfield has made substantial contributions to the discovery of genes related to blood pressure, cardiovascular health, cancer and rare diseases. His research has changed national and international guidance for high blood pressure. He was Director of Queen Mary’s William Harvey Research Institute between 2002-2020 and was elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2008.

Professor Caulfield was appointed Chief Scientist for Genomics England in 2013, charged with delivery of the 100,000 Genomes Project on whole genome sequencing in rare disease, cancer and infection. At Genomics England, he was instrumental in delivering the 100,000 Genomes Project which has delivered life-changing results for many patients. He has also worked with NHS England to co-create the National Genomic Test Directory, which offers equitable access for 56 million people to appropriate genomic tests. Professor Caulfield was awarded a knighthood in 2019 for his leadership of the 100,000 Genomes Project.

In July 2021, Professor Caulfield stepped down from his role as Chief Scientist for Genomics England and is taking a major leadership in Barts Life Sciences a partnership between Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NHS Trust. This is driving the development of a world-leading life sciences campus at Whitechapel focusing on digital precision healthcare. He is a member of the Barts Health NHS trust Board and is the President Elect of the British Pharmacological Society. Sir Mark is Vice Principal (Health) for Queen Mary University of London.

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Thomas Kruse

Novo Nordisk 



Talk title:  How semaglutide has pioneered work on metabolic peptide hormones

Biography: Thomas Kruse holds a master's degree in biology and chemistry and a PhD in organic synthesis from the University of Southern Denmark. Since 1993, he has been a medicinal chemist at Novo Nordisk, where he transitioned from focusing on small molecules to peptides in 2002, remaining active in the lab to this day. He has played a pivotal role as a chemistry lead, project manager and inventor in numerous projects including expanding fatty acid acylation technology to hormones beyond GLP-1. His contributions encompass the development of once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide, as well as pulmonary and oral forms of GLP-1. In 2005 Thomas initiated the first ever Novo Nordisk amylin activities including the development of cagrilintide, other long-acting amylin analogues and amycretin. Other activities include long-acting glucagon, GLP-1/glucagon co-agonists and several undisclosed projects involving diabetes and obesity indications. Additionally, Thomas has made significant advancements in glucose-sensitive insulin.

In recognition of his career, Thomas was honored with the Novo Nordisk Life-Time Achievement Award in 2023 and IPOEF inventor of the year award in 2024. Currently serving as a Senior Principal Scientist, Thomas is actively engaged in innovation, design, and leadership of peptide-based programs within diabetes and obesity.  

Abstract: Attachment of fatty acids to relevant peptide backbones may lead to longer circulating half-life of therapeutic peptides with the aim of providing practical solutions for treatment of diabetes and obesity. The discovery of semaglutide in 2004 was a significant step forward and allowed once weekly dosing of GLP-1 agonists and improved efficacy.  This method has been expanded in more recent years to other metabolic hormones via many projects at Novo Nordisk and among competitors. Each new hormone requires hormone specific iterative finetuning in order to become useful as a drug. This presentation intends to draw the lines from 2004 and onward regarding expansion of the fatty acid derivatization technology.   The challenges are highlighted and presented as explorative scientific frontiers that can be pushed into better efficacy, improved tolerability, better effect on co-morbidities and more convenient treatments – all driven by improved understanding of the underlying physiology and pharmacology. 

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Jesper Lau

Novo Nordisk 



Talk title: Designing the once weekly and oral GLP-1, semaglutide

Biography: Jesper Lau (JL) started with Novo Nordisk as bench chemists working with small molecules but was quickly promoted to project manager for a specific project aiming to discover small molecule GLP-1 agonists as well as glugacon receptor antagonists. From 2003 JL was leading a new organization composed of organic chemists with experience from tradition medicinal chemistry that were transitioning into the untouched field of peptide and protein engineering aiming to build new capabilities on how to turn unstable peptides and proteins into effective and safe pharmaceuticals. The team developed expertise in engineering endogenous peptides and proteins into effective clinical candidates with enhanced stability, potency, in vivo efficacy, and extended plasma half-lives. JL spearheaded discussions on advancing and applying this technology to various peptides and proteins that has made it all the way to patients living with serious chronic diseases. 

Abstract: The increased non-clinical and clinical understanding of the mechanism of action of GLP-1 and the parallel technical development on extending duration of action of endogenous peptides as well as structural insight of the interaction of peptides and small molecules with GPCR class B receptors have brought the scientific community to a very high level of understanding and numerous engineering efforts have been applied to prepare GLP-1 analogues of which several have by now successfully reached the market, and the GLP-1 class of peptides is today used as an important and significant treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. The discovery of once weekly and oral semaglutide is a fantastic example of how technology and biological understanding have developed in parallel, giving access to a superior peptide for treatment of metabolic disorders. 

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Professor Lotte Bjerre Knudse

Aarhus University



Talk title: Mechanism of Action for Semaglutide across Disease Outcomes

Biography: Lotte Bjerre Knudsen is an Honorary Professor in Translational Medicine at Aarhus University, Denmark. She holds a degree in biotechnology from the Technical University and a Doctoral Degree in Scientific Medicine from the University of Copenhagen, in Denmark. Lotte is a former employee of Novo Nordisk (1989-2026); she was last the Chief Scientific Advisor for Research & Development at Novo Nordisk. She has deep experience in drug discovery and development. Her work has evolved much around GLP-1 based medicines and she has been involved from early ideation back in the 1990s where she led the first program on a long-acting GLP-1 medicine, to recent work detailing mechanisms for these medicines in rodents and people with disease. She has been part of representing Novo Nordisk in five FDA Advisory committees. Lotte has received numerous awards for the work on GLP-1 medicines. Most recently, she was the recipient of the 2023 Paul Langerhans Award from the German Diabetes Association, the 2024 Science and American Association for Advancement of Science Mani L. Bhaumik Breakthrough of the Year Award (with Richard DiMarchi), the 2024 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award (with Joel Habener and Svetlana Mojsov), and the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences (with Daniel Drucker, Joel Habener, Jens Juul Holst, and Svetlana Mojsov). She has received Lifetime Achievement Awards from Novo Nordisk, the Danish Biotech Association and Stanford University. She has published extensively throughout her career, with many papers around mechanisms for GLP-1 based medicines in diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular, kidney and liver disease. Her interest also includes important methodology in drug target expression, drug discovery in general and use of AI in drug discovery. 

Abstract: Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), such as liraglutide and semaglutide, are long-acting pharmacological agents approved for diabetes and obesity management, with additional benefits on cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic systems, and emerging potential in brain-related disorders with significant unmet needs. These fatty acid-acylated molecules bind non-covalently to serum albumin, enhancing pharmacokinetic stability, and signal through a specific GLP-1 receptor expressed on select cell types across various organs. GLP-1RAs target the multifaceted physiological roles of GLP-1, a key regulator of post-prandial responses, including glucose homeostasis, appetite regulation, and many other biological processes relevant within post-meal physiology.

Semaglutide has defined the weight loss efficacy in the GLP-1RA class of medicines and is the GLP-1RA with the most substantial evidence across diseases. Semaglutide provides effective weight loss through a mechanism primarily driven by brain GLP-1R activation, reducing hunger, increasing satiety, and altering reward signaling to influence food choice and dampen food noise. Semaglutide has cardiovascular benefits mediated through a wide-ranging mechanism with reduced systemic inflammation alongside specific 

Professor David Argyle 

University of Edinburgh 



Biography: David Argyle is a graduate of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from the University of Glasgow. He gained his PhD in Immunology and Oncology from the same Faculty. He has served as a clinical academic for the Universities of Glasgow, Wisconsin-Madison and Edinburgh. He is an RCVS and European recognized specialist in veterinary oncology and his major interests are cancer biology and comparative oncology. In 2011 he was appointed William Dick chair of Veterinary Clinical Studies and Dean of Veterinary Medicine at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. In 2022 he was appointed to be Vice Principal and Head of College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (Edinburgh) and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

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Professor Scott Webster 

University of Edinburgh



Biography: Scott is Professor of Medicines Discovery at the Institute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research at the University of Edinburgh. He has >25 years’ experience in drug discovery and development in academia and industry, working on a range of therapeutic targets and indications. He was co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Kynos Therapeutics, a university spinout developing therapies for acute inflammatory conditions, which was recently acquired by Dr. Falk Pharma GmbH.

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Professor Mark Evans 

Vice President (Meetings), British Pharmacological Society 



Biography: Professor Mark Evans is Chair of Cellular Pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh. His research focuses on how AMPK regulates breathing and oxygen supply, with a particular interest in intracellular signalling via sarcoplasmic reticulum nanojunctions. He previously held positions at Oxford, St Andrews, and Norwich, following a Wellcome Trust Fellowship and a Ph.D. from Edinburgh. He is Vice President (Meetings) for the British Pharmacological Society. 

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Dr Mark Nixon

University of Edinburgh 



Biography: Mark is a Lecturer at the Institute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research at the University of Edinburgh, having previously held a British Heart Foundation Intermediate Research Fellowship. His research program explores stress hormones as drivers of cardiometabolic disease risk, with a particular interest in developing alternative steroid therapies with reduced metabolic toxicity. He is Head of the Edinburgh Preclinical Metabolic Phenotyping Facility and serves as a Senior Editor for both the Journal of Endocrinology and the Journal of Molecular Endocrinology.

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Professor Sue Fleetwood-Walker

University of Edinburgh 



Biography: Sue is Professor of Sensory Neuroscience at the Institute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research, University of Edinburgh. Sue’s research focuses on cellular and synaptic events in pain processing with a view to identifying novel targets for analgesic intervention and the application of such new therapeutics. Her primary work on fundamental mechanisms has extended into early-stage drug discovery (involving several patents relating to TRPM8 channels and ErbB receptors) and working with clinical colleagues to evaluate the efficacy of new agents through both sensory assessments and imaging.

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Dr Jessica Ivy

University of Edinburgh 



Biography: Dr Jess Ivy is a Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh. She holds an honours degree in Pharmacology and a BHF-funded PhD in Cardiovascular Sciences, both from the University of Edinburgh. After post-doctoral training she was awarded a Kidney Research UK Intermediate fellowship. Dr Ivy’s current research is focused on salt balance in chronic disease with a particular focus on circadian dysregulation and on the regulation of salt intake. In addition, she is the Co-Course organizer for 3rd year Pharmacology and contributes to honours Pharmacology teaching.

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Dr Andrea Caporali

University of Edinburgh 



Biography: Dr Andrea Caporali earned his PhD from the University of Bristol in 2006, developing expertise in cardiovascular and translational medicine research. In 2012, he received the British Heart Foundation Intermediate Fellowship, and in 2013, he moved to the University of Edinburgh, where he secured the Chancellor’s Fellowship. He is currently a Reader (Associate Professor) at the Centre for Cardiovascular Science at Edinburgh. His research aims to understand the mechanisms behind vascular disease. With a strong background in microRNA biology and vascular signalling, his lab has made key discoveries into the regulatory processes that govern endothelial cell function during ischemic injury and homeostasis. The lab has also pioneered advances in vascular biology by using cellular and preclinical models to characterise endothelial dysfunction and to reverse it using drug or gene therapy approaches. Recently, Dr Caporali co-founded miRAVA Therapeutics Ltd., a start-up in advanced therapeutics. 

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Professor Mairi Brittan 

University of Edinburgh 



Biography: Mairi Brittan is Professor of Cardiovascular Regeneration in the Institute of Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research at the University of Edinburgh. Mairi obtained her PhD at Cancer Research UK (Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London) in 2005 studying the functions of bone marrow derived adult stem cells and their contribution to regenerative mechanisms in disease. Mairi undertook postdoctoral research at the Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, the Centre for Inflammation Research and Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh. The research of the Brittan laboratory is focused on understanding the mechanisms that regulate vascular repair and regeneration in the heart after myocardial infarction and in heart failure. We maintain a translational focus, with a particular interest in ‘omics technologies to study gene expression signatures in human heart disease. 

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More information about our chairs will be available soon.

Poster Number	Poster Title	Poster Presenter
P01	Interaction of TRPV4 Channels and Ryanodine Receptors in Regulating Vascular Tone Following Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition in Rat Basilar Artery	Ahmed Alharbi, University of Hail
P02	Investigating trained immunity in lung epithelial cells in Tuberculosis	Mariam Alnaggar, City St George’s, University of London
P03	Species-Dependent Differences in Succinate Receptor Agonist Pharmacology	Ashraf Alruwaili, University of Glasgow, Glasgow
P04	Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel compounds targeting the TYRO3 receptor tyrosine kinase	Abdulkareem Ayfan, University Of Portsmouth
P05	Reimagining national health systems as a Unified Clinical Trial Platform(UCTP): A pragmatic solution for developing economies	Shaibu Bello, Usmanu Danfodiyo University
P07	Ligand-Dependent Effects of the TREM2 R47H Variant on Amyloid-β Fibril Binding	Mohamed Elameri, University College London
P08	Non-invasive serial quantification of tissue injury using circulating biomarker kinetics in mice	Chris Humphries, University of Edinburgh
P09	Modulation of µ-opioid receptor signalling by microbiome-derived short-chain fatty acids: implications for opioid tolerance and opioid use disorder	Sadaf Khurshid, Independent Researcher (Prospective MRes molecular pharmacology student), Nottingham
P10	Developing a preclinical method for real-time sensing of salt intake behaviour in group-housed conditions	Huw Knapper, University of Edinburgh
P11	Mechanisms of GPR35 Signalling in Protection Against Hepatic Steatosis	Li-Chiung Lin, University of Glasgow
P12	Preclinical characterization of antibody-drug conjugates against low-grade serous ovarian cancer: Mirvetuximab Soravtansine.	Claudia Logan, University of Edinburgh
P13	Using parallel studies to investigate succinate receptor (SUCNR1) signalling and activity in polarised macrophages	Olivia Lucianno, University of Glasgow
P14	The Pharmacological Study of Antiarrhythmic Traditional/Multicomponent Medicine Opens a New Horizon for Ameliorating the Proarrhythmic Effects of Antiarrhythmic Drugs	Yuling Ma, University of Oxford
P15	Pharmacological Inhibition of PI4K by PIK93 Disrupts Insulin-Stimulated GLUT4 Trafficking in 3T3 L1 Adipocytes.	Arwa Makhanawala, University of Strathclyde
P16	Simvastatin Enhances Stem Cell Osteogenesis and Reduces Peri-Implant Bone Loss: An In Vitro and Clinical Study	Shereen N Raafat, The British University in Egypt
P17	In-Vivo Gene Editing Therapeutics - Past Present and Future  - an Early Phase CRO perspective	Lisa Campbell, Richmond Pharmacology Ltd
P18	Exploring the evolutionary history of BACE1 a key drug target in Alzheimer's disease	Christopher Southan, University of Edinburgh
P19	The impact of organisational decision-making on the working conditions of community pharmacy staff: implications for pharmacy education	Nicole Thomson, University of Edinburgh
P20	CUT&RUN to Inform Therapy Development in Atopic Eczema	Octavie Vargas, University of Edinburgh

 

Applications for Travel Bursaries Have Now Closed. 

All applications are currently under review, and applicants will be notified of the outcome in early May.

Join us for the conference dinner on Thursday 4 June, following Day 1 of the conference at the Playfair Library. Guests will be welcomed from 7:00pm, with dinner concluding at approximately 11:00pm. It will be a wonderful opportunity to continue the day’s discussions in a beautiful setting and connect further with speakers and colleagues.

Tickets for the dinner are £60 per person and include a welcome drink and a three-course meal. To attend, please select the dinner ticket option when registering for the event.

If you have already registered but did not add the dinner ticket at the time of registration, please contact the event team at meetings@bps.ac.uk, and a member of the team will assist you.

There is no formal dress code, however, we would encourage smart/casual attire. 

 

If you are looking for accommodation during the event, you can book through The University of Edinburgh’s online booking service.

Delegates can receive 15% off the best flexible Bed & Breakfast rate by using the discount code below. Please note that this discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotions or offers.

Discount code: EVENT

Payment is required at the time of booking. Please note that no accommodation has been reserved for this event, and all bookings are subject to availability.

For more information or to make a booking, please visit: https://www.uoecollection.com/
 

Exciting news! Our new partnership brochure is now available, please contact partnerships@bps.ac.uk for more information. 

Meeting venue
John McIntyre Conference Centre  
Pollock Halls 
18 Holyrood Park Rd 
Edinburgh  
EH16 5AY 
 
Accessibility and dietary requirements  
If you have not already informed us of any specific requirements, please let us know before the meeting so that we can ensure your needs are accommodated. Please contact us at meetings@bps.ac.uk, and a member of staff will be happy to assist you. 
 
For more information about the venue’s accessibility, please refer to the accessibility guide. 

  
Directions
For helpful directions on how to get here, please refer to Google Maps. 
 
Car parking
We strongly recommend public transport where possible. There is limited complimentary parking available on a first come, first basis at the Pollock Halls Campus. There are 12 electric charging points from Charge Place Scotland on the campus. Delegates will need to collect a permit from the security gate or from our reception to display on their vehicle whilst onsite.

Co-Chair: Professor Mark Evans
Co-Chair: Professor David Webb
 
Steering Committee:
Professor Jamie Davies
Professor James Dear
Professor Neeraj Dhaun
Professor Michael Eddleston
Dr Sofia Ferreira Gonzalez
Professor Richard Meehan
Dr Emma Morrison
Dr Jennifer Paxton
Professor Scott Webster

We will be hosting a Public Lecture on Wednesday 3rd June from 5:00–7:15 PM, celebrating 300 years of Edinburgh medicine, therapeutics, and innovation. The lecture will feature a presentation by Dr Jeffrey Aronson. 

The Public Lecture is free to attend, you can find out more information on how to book here.