15 November 2016

Magic, Folk Medicine and Modern Drug Discovery

Organised by:

SCI's London Group in partnership with UCL's Chemical & Physical Society

UCL, London, UK

Registration Closed

This event is no longer available for registration.

Synopsis
In this lecture, David Witty will be giving his personal perspective on the development of painkillers from folk medicines in the age of alchemy, through to the first scientific drug discoveries of effective analgesics, and onto the medicines of today. He will discuss the issues that affect many current painkillers both in current clinical and over-the-counter use. The talk will indicate how our understanding of the processes behind the experience of pain has led us to target new pathways. It will describe the challenges in designing translational studies for pain and obstacles faced in bringing a new class of drugs to the market.
Programme
Accessibility Grants

SCI accessibility grants are available to support SCI members with disabilities, long term health conditions, those who require a carer, and members who are nursing parents to attend SCI events. Download an application form to apply for a grant.

Venue and Contact

UCL

Department of Chemistry
University College London
20 Gordon Street
London, WC1H 0AJ

 

Emma Thomas

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7598 1594

Email: communications@soci.org

Fees

This is a FREE event. No need to book. Please check this page for any updates or changes before attending the event.

Become an SCI Member and save on this and future events

See Membership Options

Sign up as an Event Member to join this event. SCI Full or Student Members receive discounts on event registrations

Booking Process/Deadlines

Booking terms and conditions

CPD Info

SCI Members attending this meeting are able to claim CPD points.

Accredited cpd Centre - The CPD Standards Office - CPD Provider 41057 - www.cpdstandards.com

Additional Info

Speaker

Dr David Witty
Convergence Pharmaceuticals Ltd

David is a founding member of Convergence Pharmaceuticals Ltd, a company focused on the design and development of novel pain medications, where he is Chemistry Director and Operations Manager. Convergence spun out of GSK in 2010 and was acquired by Biogen in 2015, following successful Phase II studies.

David has worked as a medicinal chemist in multiple teams and programme leadership roles over more than 25 years and has particular interest in novel approaches to Drug Discovery and Medicinal therapeutic areas and led enzyme, receptor and ion channel programmes. He is also experienced in infrastructure and IT aspects of pharmaceutical research.

As a member of SCI for some 20 years he has worked on education and the promotion of best practice in medicinal chemistry through the delivery of Med.Chem. training courses, scientific symposia, publications and on-the-job training. From 2013-15 David served as Chairman of SCI's Fine Chemicals Group, and he is now a member of SCI's Board of Trustees. For the past decade David has also been the editor of 'Progress in Medicinal Chemistry' (Elsevier).

In his spare time, he likes fell walking with his wife and family.