Structure, Strategy, and Savings: Advancing Discovery with Biophysics and NMR

In a time of economic headwinds, scientific ingenuity must rise to the challenge. This event brings together leading minds in drug discovery to explore how data-driven strategies, powered by cutting-edge science, are optimizing the process.
From structural insights to high-throughput biophysics, we’ll spotlight the tools, techniques, and collaborations that are making research programs more effective.

Presented by Novalix and Bruker:

on December 2, 2025
from 12:30 pm to 7 pm

at MassBio
Massachusetts Biotechnology Council,
700 Technology Square, 5th Floor, Cambridge, MA, USA

Symposium program

• 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
  Welcome coffee 

• 1:00 – 1:15 pm
  Opening & Welcome
  Kate Holub, Global Sales Director, Pharma Market, Bruker BioSpin
  Felix von Haniel, SVP Business Development and Marketing, Novalix

• 1:15 – 1:45 pm
  Automated NMR for protein assignment and structure determination in a timely and affordable way
  Marc Vitorino, PhD, Head of NMR, Novalix
  
  As part of a fragment-based drug discovery project at Novalix, we determined the atomic-resolution structure of a 20-kDa cancer-related protein within a timeframe comparable to X-ray or cryo-EM. This real-case study optimizes minimal NMR datasets for assignment and structure calculation. The resulting structure and ¹⁵N-¹H HSQC chemical shift perturbations clearly define binding poses of millimolar-affinity fragments from ligand-observed NMR screening, enabling further structure-based optimization.

• 1:45 – 2:15 pm
  Accelerating drug discovery through orthogonal biophysical characterization of PROTACs
  Renaud Morales, PhD, Director of Biophysics, Novalix
  
  Targeted protein degradation (TPD) using PROTACs offers new therapeutic opportunities but demands efficient, data-driven workflows. We combined biophysical profiling and cellular validation to optimize degrader design. Using BRD4 as a model, DNA-encoded library binders were linked to Cereblon ligands. Biophysical assays (SPR, switchSENSE proximity) characterized interactions, while cellular tests confirmed BRD4 ubiquitination and degradation. This integrated approach streamlines discovery through mechanistic and functional insights.

• 2:15 – 2:45 pm
  Coffee break 

• 2:45 – 3:15 pm
  Biophysics-Driven Hit Validation: A Critical Path for Challenging Drug Targets
  Mike Sintchak, VP, Drug Maker, Structural Biology and Protein Sciences, Curie Bio Operations
  
  At Curie.Bio we utilize a global network of CROs to carry out hit finding campaigns. One of these efforts involved the use of large libraries and multiple screening strategies against a challenging multi-subunit target. The use of several biophysics techniques, including SPR and HDX-MS, allowed us to efficiently validate hits and rapidly progress chemotypes to hit expansion and structural studies.

• 3:15 – 4:00 pm
  My 4 Decades Journey in Pharma: Riding the Wave of Change
  Dr Luc Van Hijfte, Senior advisor Drug Discovery Novalix, EFMC president
  
  Since my start in the pharmaceutical industry, there has been a relentless pursuit to enhance efficiency in drug discovery. Advances in technology, data science, and collaborative innovation have transformed traditional research models. The continuous drive toward higher productivity, faster timelines, and smarter decision-making reflects the industry’s commitment to bringing safer, more effective therapies to patients while optimizing resources and accelerating scientific breakthroughs.

• 4:00 – 4:45 pm
  Roundtable discussion: How to gain efficiency in drug discovery
  Moderator: Dr Luc Van Hijfte, Senior advisor Drug Discovery Novalix, EFMC president

• 4:45 – 5:00 pm
  Closing remarks, wrap-up and conclusion 

• 5:00 – 7:00 pm
  Cocktail reception

We look forward to sharing how we can bring Better Science to drug discovery, together.

Discover our speakers

Marc Vitorino, PhD
Head of NMR, Novalix
Over 15 years of experience in biotech and CROs. Applying HighField NMR in drug discovery, structural biology and analytics.

Renaud Morales, PhD
Director of Biophysics, Novalix
More than 20 years of experience in structural and biophysical project support accross leading pharmaceutical companies

Mike Sintchak, MS
VP, Drug Maker, Structural Biology and Protein Sciences, Curie Bio Operations
More than 25 years of drug discovery experience in big pharma and biotech startups, specializing in the management of gene-to-structure pipelines and biophysics resources.

Luc Van Hijfte, PhD
Distinguished Research Fellow, Senior advisor Drug Discovery, Novalix
EFMC president
Contributed to numerous clinical programs in the fields of neurosciences, oncology, and infectious diseases. Held key roles in scientific societies, including the SCT and EFMC, where he currently serves as President.

Felix von Haniel, MSc
SVP Business Development and Marketing, Novalix
Over 25 years of international experience in business development and strategy. Held senior roles at innovative biotech and CRO companies.