Sérgio F. Sousa presented a communication entitled “Development of Computational Methods For Aptamer Engineering For Targeted-Drug Delivery” at the ” XXVIII EFMC International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry” Symposium held on September 1-5 2024 in Rome, Italy.
This prestigious event, organized by the Medicinal Chemistry Division of the Società Chimica Italiana (Italian Chemical Society) on behalf of the European Federation for Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology (EFMC), brought together around 1,000 participants from both industry and academia.

The symposium featured an enriching scientific program with plenary sessions delivered by distinguished speakers, including Prof. David MacMillan from Princeton University, Prof. Véronique Gouverneur from the University of Oxford, and Dr. Emma Parmee from Janssen Pharmaceutica. These sessions covered a wide range of topics in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, reflecting the latest advancements in the field.
The program was structured around three main themes, with parallel sessions covering various aspects of medicinal chemistry. Additionally, five open sessions were held, including “First Time Disclosures,” “Late Breaking News/Recent Developments,” “Highlights in Medicinal Chemistry,” and a special session on “Early Career Women in Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology”. A unique Breakfast Round Table Discussion on the “Development of the Pharmaceutical Sector in sub-Saharan Africa” was also part of the program.
The symposium served as a platform for presenting the EFMC Awards and Prizes for 2024. Notable winners included Prof. Rebecca Buller for the EFMC Prize for a Young Medicinal Chemist or Chemical Biologist in Academia, and Dr. Samuele Cazzamalli for the corresponding prize in Industry. These awards recognize outstanding contributions to the field by young researchers.
Overall, the XXVIII EFMC International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry proved to be a significant event in the calendar of medicinal chemists and chemical biologists, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and recognition of excellence in the field.