DrugAxis logoDrugAxisFrom discovery to decision

From discovery to decision.

De-risking the next generation of drug discovery.

Where scientific innovation meets the decisions that move drug programmes forward.

Register your interestExplore the full agenda
When
February 2027
Where
San Diego
Format
Two days, six decision arenas
Delegates
150 to 200 senior leaders
DiscoverMany candidatesValidateEvidence testedDecideOne decision

The industry doesn't have a discovery problem. It has a decision problem.

Drug discovery is producing more targets, molecules, biological insights and computational predictions than ever. The critical question is what deserves to move forward.

Which discoveries deserve to become therapeutic programmes?

DrugAxis brings together the people responsible for evaluating evidence, allocating resources, advancing programmes, forming partnerships and making the decisions that shape modern drug discovery.

Discover

Identify promising targets, biological mechanisms, molecules and therapeutic opportunities.

Validate

Determine whether the science survives rigorous biological and translational scrutiny.

Decide

Determine whether evidence supports advancing, partnering, investing or stopping.

Six questions defining the next generation of discovery.

A decision-focused programme spanning biology, computation, molecules, validation, development and commercial strategy.

  1. Decision Arena 01

    Can we trust the target?

    Move from biological association to convincing mechanism.

    • Human genetics
    • Multiomics
    • CRISPR
    • Target validation
  2. Decision Arena 02

    Can computation improve decisions?

    Examine where AI and computational approaches actually change programmes.

    • Generative AI
    • Virtual screening
    • Molecular design
    • ADME
  3. Decision Arena 03

    What should we build?

    Explore the expanding toolbox for therapeutically engaging difficult biology.

    • Degraders
    • RNA
    • Biologics
    • Novel modalities
  4. Decision Arena 04

    Does the model predict human biology?

    Close the gap between experimental systems and human translation.

    • Organoids
    • 3D models
    • Spatial biology
    • PK/PD
  5. Decision Arena 05

    When should a candidate advance?

    Examine the evidence required to move programmes forward, or stop.

    • Candidate selection
    • Biomarkers
    • Translational strategy
    • Preclinical risk
  6. Decision Arena 06

    Can the science become a business?

    Connect discovery innovation with investment, licensing and partnerships.

    • Licensing
    • VC
    • External innovation
    • Platform strategy

The people shaping drug-discovery decisions.

Built for senior leaders and scientific decision-makers across the discovery ecosystem.

Pharma

CSOs, VP R&D, drug discovery, computational biology, medicinal chemistry, translational medicine, biomarkers, external innovation and BD.

Biotech

CEOs, CSOs, CTOs, VP R&D, discovery, computational biology, translational science and platform leaders.

TechBio

AI drug discovery, computational chemistry, molecular modelling, protein design, multiomics, data and analytics.

Technology and services

CROs, screening, omics, human-relevant models, software, data infrastructure and discovery services.

Investors

Life-science VCs, corporate venture, strategic investors, licensing, business development and private equity.

Academia

Drug discovery, chemical biology, computational biology, translational science and academic spinouts.

Not another conference format.

DrugAxis is built around interaction, challenge and decision-making, not passive listening.

The DrugAxis Decision Room™

12 to 15 senior leaders. No presentations. No sales pitches. One difficult industry question.

Output: an Executive Decision Brief

The Pharma Problem Room™

Senior pharma and biotech leaders bring unresolved discovery challenges into the room. Technology companies respond. Experts challenge.

Real problems, real discussion

DrugAxis Discovery Challenge™

Emerging TechBio companies get seven minutes to answer: what discovery problem are you solving that pharma still struggles with?

7 minutes, expert scrutiny

Curated 1:1 meetings

Purposeful introductions across pharma, biotech, TechBio, CROs, data companies, investors and academia.

20 to 30 targeted meetings

Executive dinner

An invitation-only setting for senior leaders to explore the forces shaping the future of drug discovery.

No stage, just conversation

Two days. One decision journey.

Working programme. Final sessions and timings will be announced as speakers and venue are confirmed.

Day one: Discovery

  • 08:00
    Registration & Executive BreakfastArrival and networking
  • 09:00
    The New Economics of Drug DiscoveryFrom more data to better decisions. Opening keynote
  • 09:40
    The Drug Discovery Productivity ProblemExecutive panel
  • 11:00
    Target ConfidenceCan we trust the target?
  • 12:00
    Computational DiscoveryCan computation make discovery decisions better?
  • 13:00
    Executive Networking LunchCurated connections
  • 14:00
    Pharma Problem Room™Real discovery problems, live discussion
  • 16:00
    Molecules & ModalitiesWhat should we build?
  • 17:00
    What Will Actually Change Drug Discovery by 2030?CEO / CSO fireside
  • 18:30
    Executive Networking ReceptionInvitation-led networking

Day two: Validation and translation

  • 08:30
    Executive Breakfast RoundtablesSmall-group discussion
  • 09:15
    From Biological Hypothesis to Therapeutic ConfidenceKeynote
  • 10:00
    Human-Relevant ValidationDoes the model predict human biology?
  • 11:30
    Are Our Preclinical Models Predicting Human Biology?Executive panel
  • 12:15
    DrugAxis Discovery Challenge™Emerging TechBio challenge
  • 13:00
    Executive Networking LunchCurated connections
  • 14:00
    Discovery → DevelopmentWhen should a candidate advance?
  • 15:00
    DrugAxis Decision Room™Invitation-only executive discussion
  • 16:00
    Capital, Partnerships & Platform StrategyCan the science become a business?
  • 17:00
    The Drug Discovery Decision of 2030Closing panel
See the detailed agenda

Own a strategic conversation.

DrugAxis replaces generic sponsorship tiers with partnerships built around the problems and opportunities shaping drug discovery.

AI Discovery Partner

Own the conversation around computational discovery and AI-enabled programme decisions.

Target Validation Partner

Align with the evidence required to build confidence in new targets.

Human-Relevant Models Partner

Lead the conversation around translational and human-relevant validation.

Emerging Modalities Partner

Connect your platform with the future of therapeutic engagement.

Decision Room Partner

Support an invitation-only executive conversation focused on evidence and advancement decisions.

Intelligence Report Partner

Associate your organisation with the DrugAxis 2027 Discovery Decision Report.

The DrugAxis 2027 Discovery Decision Report

Industry perspectives on discovery bottlenecks, AI adoption, target validation, emerging modalities, human-relevant models, technology adoption, partnerships and investment priorities.

Discuss partnership

Choose your registration category.

Select the category that best describes your organisation. You will go straight to the registration form for your role in the drug-discovery ecosystem.

Pharma & Biotech

$495 Early Access

For pharmaceutical, biotech and therapeutic-development leaders.

Register as Pharma & Biotech

TechBio & Technology

$795 Early Access

For AI, computational, data, platform and technology companies serving drug discovery.

Register as TechBio & Technology

CRO & Service Providers

$795 Early Access

For CROs, research services, development partners and specialist providers.

Register as CRO & Service Providers

Investors & VCs

$395 Early Access

For venture capital, corporate venture, strategic investors and life-science capital.

Register as Investors & VCs

Academia & Research

$295 Early Access

For researchers, principal investigators, academic innovators and translational scientists.

Register as Academia & Research

Startups & Emerging Companies

$395 Early Access

For emerging companies looking for visibility, partnerships, capital and industry access.

Register as Startups & Emerging Companies

Early Access rates are for the first edition of DrugAxis and may change as the event approaches. Secure payment options appear on each category page.

The next breakthrough is only the beginning.

The real competitive advantage is knowing what deserves to move forward.

Register your interestBecome a partnerSpeaker enquiry