How cutting-edge computer techniques can be used to develop drugs

Leading international experts will gather at the University of Bradford's Institute for Pharmaceutical Innovation (IPI) for a conference looking at how cutting-edge computer techniques can be used to develop drugs.

The two-day international meeting starts on Monday, April 26, 2004, and includes speakers from USA, The Netherlands and Italy alongside leading scientists from the UK.

Over the last two decades developments in the use of computational chemistry and automated experiments have been used mainly to help discover new drugs.

But IPI senior scientist Dr Frank Leusen said: "That situation is poised to change. Computational chemistry is ready to play a significant role in drug development although the tools are not yet part of mainstream activity."

He explained that as new techniques have speeded-up the discovery of new drugs, their subsequent development is what slows the process of them appearing on the market. The meeting will cover scientific areas which look at molecules, crystals, polymorphism, particle design and formulation and processing.

The IPI, opened by Science Minister Lord Sainsbury in October 2003, uses the latest artificial intelligence and computer simulation technology together with advanced analytical techniques to predict how drugs will behave in the body and to research new methods for the development of better drugs.

The conference, in partnership with the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Molecular Modelling Group, is sponsored by Yorkshire Forward, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Funding also comes from RSC's Angela and Tony Fish Bequest Fund.

• To find out more or to register go to www.ipi.brad.ac.uk/conference