Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s 2nd Annual
Protein-Protein Interations
Small Molecule Discovery for Difficult Drug Targets
12-13 November 2025
Cambridge Healthtech Institute's Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs) conference covers discovery, design, and optimization of small molecule and cell-permeable macrocyclic peptides that disrupt or stabilize intracellular protein-protein or protein-nucleic acid molecular complexes validated as disease targets. Misfolded or aberrant protein complexes are common drug targets in neurological, autoimmune and infectious diseases but are difficult-to-drug because the PPI sites are large and flat making it challenging for small molecules to form specific and multiple interactions with the target. However, PPIs have become more tractable due to recent advances in biophysical tools, covalent drug discovery strategies, fragment-based ligand approaches, structure-based drug design and targeted protein degradation (TPD) 'destroy what you can't inhibit' approaches. Join fellow medicinal, biophysical, and structural chemists to learn the latest, share insights, and discuss strategies.
Coverage will include, but is not limited to:
- Progress against difficult-to-drug intracellular PPI targets (KRAS, transcription factors, RNA complexes and more)
- Case studies on targeting protein complexes in cancer, CNS and immunology-related diseases
- Macrocyclic peptides for targeting intracellular PPIs: therapeutic modalities beyond rule of five (bRo5)
- Molecular glue stabilizers as a therapeutic approach for targeting PPIs
The deadline for priority consideration is 4 April 2025.
All proposals are subject to review by session chairpersons and/or the Scientific Advisory Committee to ensure the overall quality of the conference program. Additionally, as per Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s policy, a select number of vendors and consultants who provide products and services will be offered opportunities for podium presentation slots based on a variety of Corporate Sponsorships.
Opportunities for Participation: