Scale-up of complex organic and bio-catalytic processes remains a significant challenge due to low observability of state variables and, frequently, absence of mechanistic models of the reactions. A raft of new tools is emerging in this topic, relating to increased observability (new sensor methods), development of ‘good-enough’ black box models based on machine learning approaches, new kinetic methods, new methods in design of experiments and development of process models, as well as the increased understanding in physical organic chemistry and computer-aided molecular design.

This free-to-attend event is aimed at practitioners in the field, industrial and academic method developers as a networking and research agenda-setting event: what is the state-of-the-art, what research challenges are emerging as a result of developments in the neighbouring fields (robotics, AI, machine learning, systems biology, synthetic biology, high throughput analytics, novel business models for manufacturing, new feedstocks, etc), where is progress required? The event will result in a white-paper and should stimulate future research proposals and collaborative research projects.

The programme is available here . Speakers include:

• Dr Michail Stamatakis, UCL

• Dr Federico Galvanin, UCL

• Dr Richard Bourne, University of Leeds

• Prof. Hannsjörg Freund, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

• Prof. Peter Neubauer, Technische Universität Berlin

• Flavien Susanne, GSK

• Dr Edward Pyzer-Knapp, IBM

• Drs Colm Cotter and Lucie Miller Potucka, AstraZeneca