Webinar: AI, Automation and Robotics in Therapeutic Research

UCL’s Research Capabilities Webinar Series: AI, Automation and Robotics in Therapeutic Research

Date: Wednesday 2 July, 2025

Time: 1300 - 1400

Venue: Online
Open to: All
Chaired by: Prof. Matthew Todd, Chair of Drug Discovery, UCL School of Pharmacy; Co-chair of the UCL Therapeutic Innovation Networks (TINS) - Small Molecules

Speaker:
Presentation 1

• Dr Lauren Ye Seol Lee, Lecturer in Data-driven Chemical Process Systems Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, UCL
  'Bridging Molecular Design and Synthesis: AI and Automation for Reaction Optimisation'
  
  About this session:
  Computer-aided tools have transformed how we design new molecules, enabling rapid exploration of vast chemical spaces. However, many of these designed molecules remain difficult to synthesise in practice.
  This work explores the potential of AI to bridge that gap, supporting both molecular design and synthesis, with a focus on solvent selection and reactions relevant to pharmaceutical development. We highlight key challenges, including reaction prediction, dataset bias, and limitations in lab automation.
  We outline a high-throughput study on amide bond formation, aiming to generate 3,000 data points to improve data diversity and model robustness for future automated synthesis.

Presentation 2

• Dr David Shorthouse and Dr Michael Cook, Lecturers in Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy
  'Is the future of Pharmaceutics Automated?'
  
  About this session: Self-Driving Laboratories are at the frontier of scientific innovation. In these systems, robotic platforms execute and analyse experiments, which are interpreted and further designed by an AI algorithm, driving the system to an optimum without human intervention. In this presentation we will discuss progress towards the development of self-driving laboratories for the formulation of small molecule drugs in the UCL School of Pharmacy

About the UCL's Research Capabilities Webinar Series:

This webinar series is organised by the UCL Therapeutic Innovation Networks (TINs) - Small Molecules to highlight UCL’s Research Capabilities that enable effective translational research for patient and public benefit. The series aims to encourage multidisciplinary collaborations within and beyond UCL. Academics from the UCL biomedical community are invited to share subjects of interest from their research expertise and interact with research fellows.

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About Therapeutic Innovation Networks (TINs):
UCL Translational Research Office (TRO) established the Therapeutic Innovation Networks (TINs) to create a ‘critical mass’ of academic researchers and industry professionals around six modalities: i) Small Molecules; ii) Cell & Gene Therapies; iii) Biologics; iv) Re-purposing; v) Devices & Diagnostics; vi) Regenerative Medicine. The TINs’ unique approach has been pioneering in providing support for UCL academics around pilot data collection, translational training, funding opportunities and multidisciplinary collaborations across institutions, partner hospitals and the industry.

About Translational Research Office:

UCL Translational Research Office (TRO) is an integral part of UCL’s biomedical research powerhouse. As an expert team of applied scientists and business developers, we support our researchers in realising their translational ambition by offering strategic advice, funding support, and bridging the gap with industry to help establish collaborations that drive the pipeline of therapeutic, device and diagnostic innovations.

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Etiquette

Places are limited and on a first-come-first-served basis. To reduce waste and prevent people from missing out, please make sure to cancel your order if you are no longer able to attend.

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