ELRIG unveils keynote speakers for Drug Discovery 2026 conference

ELRIG has announced the keynote speaker program and scientific agenda for Drug Discovery 2026, taking place from October 14–15, 2026 at ExCeL London. The event will bring together researchers, innovators and industry leaders from across academia and biopharma to explore the future of drug discovery, with free access for all attendees.

Celebrating 20 years of ELRIG Drug Discovery

ELRIG’s 20th annual Drug Discovery conference represents two decades of supporting the global life science and pharmaceutical research community through collaboration, innovation and accessibility. As ELRIG’s flagship event, this milestone highlights the continued growth and impact of the conference within the drug discovery sector, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, networking and partnership-building across the R&D ecosystem.

Keynote speakers and panel discussion

Drug Discovery 2026 will open with a keynote presentation from Dr. Sam Barrell CBE, CEO of LifeArc, who leads the organization’s mission to transform outcomes for people with rare diseases and drug‑resistant infections. Previously Deputy CEO of the Francis Crick Institute and a senior NHS leader, Dr. Barrell has served as CEO of Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and led South Devon and Torbay CCG.

She was also a National Advisory Council Member of The King’s Fund and a Non-Executive Director of Assura, and is currently a Non‑Executive Director at Nuffield Health and York Health Economics Consortium. Dr. Barrell was awarded a CBE in 2014 for services to healthcare.

On the second day, Dr. Saleha Patel (ELRIG and Constructive Bio) will chair a keynote panel discussion, '20 Years of Discovery: Lessons from the Past, Blueprints for the Next 20', featuring leaders representing the ecosystem of modern R&D:

• Dr. Anne Phelan, GSK’s SVP Head of Target Discovery since 2025, brings more than 25 years of experience in pharma and biotech, including serving as CSO at BenevolentAI and 15 years at Pfizer. Her career focuses on target identification, pre-clinical portfolio management and technology investment across a wide range of target classes and therapeutic modalities.
• Dr. Jason Mellad, Co-founder and CEO of OtoImmune, leads a precision immunology company focused on revolutionizing the early detection, management and treatment of autoimmune and other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. He previously served as CEO of life science venture builder fund Start Codon and epigenomic biomarker discovery pioneer Cambridge Epigenetix (now biomodal). Dr. Mellad holds a PhD in Medicine from the University of Cambridge.
• Prof. Sir Mene Pangalos, former Executive Vice-President, R&D BioPharmaceuticals at AstraZeneca, was responsible for biopharmaceutical R&D from discovery through to late-stage development across cardiovascular, renal, metabolism, respiratory, immunology, microbial science and neuroscience. Prior to this, he served as Executive Vice-President of AstraZeneca’s Innovative Medicines & Early Development Biotech Unit and Global Business Development.
• Prof. Raghib Ali OBE leads Our Future Health, a 2.7‑million‑participant program to improve disease prevention, detection and treatment. He is a Clinical Epidemiologist at the University of Cambridge, Consultant in Acute Medicine at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust and Honorary Consultant at the Office for Health Disparities and Improvement. Prof Ali is a global leader in population health, awarded an OBE for services to the NHS and the Covid-19 response, and elected an Honorary Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health.

Together, the panel will explore how new platforms, modalities and partnerships are redefining the discovery process and shaping the next generation of medicines.

Scientific tracks and partner organizations

The 2026 program features 18 scientific tracks spanning the full breadth of scientific and technological advances driving drug discovery. Key topics include 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 and translational innovation.

To deliver a broad and diverse range of content, ELRIG is collaborating with organizations including SLAS, Cancer Research UK, The Microbiology Society, the British Neuroscience Association and the Royal Society of Chemistry. These partnerships will help ensure that Drug Discovery 2026 reflects the latest developments across disciplines such as chemical biology, microbiology, oncology, neuroscience and data-driven R&D.

Exhibition, networking and early-career support

The exhibition hall at ExCeL London will host around 3,000 attendees, providing opportunities to meet, engage and learn from leaders in drug discovery, as well as more than 250 product and service suppliers showcasing enabling technologies, platforms and tools. The conference will also feature 400 posters highlighting innovative research from across academia, biotech and pharma.

Drug Discovery 2026 will include a Breakthrough Zone for startups, a Tech Theatre, a Consultancy Café and a Coaching Corner, supporting both scientific exchange and professional development. Dedicated events for early-career professionals (ECPs) include: 'Network Like a Boss', 'Meet & Greet' and 'Mini DD' sessions, alongside engagement with students from local schools through the 'Adventures for Tomorrow’s Scientists' initiative.

Several awards will recognize individuals making outstanding contributions to the life sciences, ECPs shaping the future of drug discovery, innovative science and technology, and impactful posters presented at the conference.

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