Pre-Conference Workshop Day

As molecular glue discovery expands beyond traditional cereblon biology, researchers face a critical challenge: predicting which induced-proximity events will translate into meaningful biological outcomes. Ternary complex formation, cooperativity, protein dynamics, and downstream functionality remain difficult to forecast, often forcing teams to rely on resource-intensive experimental testing. To address this challenge, AstraZeneca has developed mathematical and computational approaches to better understand molecular glue behaviour, prioritize discovery opportunities, and guide experimental strategy. This workshop will explore how quantitative modelling can be integrated with structural biology, proteomics, and experimental data to improve hit selection, reduce discovery risk, and accelerate the path toward higher-confidence glue programmes.

Join this workshop to:

• Discover how mathematical models can be used to predict ternary complex formation, cooperativity, and functional molecular glue activity, enabling more informed compound and target prioritization decisions
• Understand how quantitative frameworks can address major discovery bottlenecks, including protein dynamics, conformational change, limited datasets, and the challenge of identifying productive induced-proximity events
• Learn how to combine computational predictions with structural biology, proteomics, and experimental validation to create an end-to-end workflow that reduces discovery risk and improves programme success

For many organizations, identifying a molecular glue hit is only the first hurdle. Determining whether that hit is mechanistically meaningful, clinically relevant, and worth the significant investment required for optimization remains one of the field’s greatest challenges. Researchers increasingly recognize that no single screening technology is sufficient, leading to growing adoption of DELs, functional screening, in-cell discovery platforms, proteomics, and biophysical characterization methods. This workshop will examine how to construct robust screening and profiling cascades that distinguish genuine opportunities from false positives, establish confidence in mechanism of action, and support more informed go/no-go decisions throughout molecular glue discovery.

Join this workshop to:

• Compare DEL, functional, cellular, proteomic, and next-generation screening approaches to identify productive induced-proximity events and expand discovery beyond traditional cereblon-based degradation
• Design multi-parameter profiling cascades that evaluate cooperativity, selectivity, mechanism of action, and biological relevance using biophysical tools, proteomics, and disease-relevant cellular models