Integrated Drug Discovery in Europe: From Partnership to Impact 

About the seminar

In a rapidly evolving and increasingly challenging landscape for European biotechs and pharmaceutical companies, collaboration has never been more critical. Access to innovation, scientific excellence, and trusted European CRO partners is a key factor in advancing drug discovery while maintaining high scientific standards and strategic alignment.

This Novalix seminar in Belgium brings together local biotech and pharma leaders for a moment of scientific exchange, real-life project insights, and networking.

The event will highlight how integrated drug discovery capabilities, combined with deep scientific expertise, can de-risk programs from early target validation to lead optimization. Through concrete examples and case studies, we will illustrate how Novalix supports discovery with end-to-end expertise, with a particular focus on the development of robust and predictive biological assays. 

This seminar will also feature Belgian biotech success stories, showcasing how collaborative European partnerships translate tangible progress in drug discovery. 

Join us for an afternoon dedicated to better science, stronger collaboration, and shared success in drug discovery.

A unique opportunity to network with the Belgian biotech and pharma community:

on June 9, 2026
from 1:30 pm to 7 pm

at Martin’s Klooster Hotel
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwstraat 18, 3000 Leuven, Belgium

Register your interest to secure your spot, you will then receive an email to confirm your registration if space is available:

Seminar program

• 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm
  Welcome coffee 

• 2:00 – 2:10 pm
  Opening and welcome
  Dr Anne de Villeroché, Director Business Development, Novalix
  Dr Luc Van Hijfte, Senior advisor Drug Discovery, Novalix, and EFMC president

• 2:10 – 2:40 pm
  Unlocking New Therapeutic Potentials: The Role of Biological Assays in Drug Discovery
  Dr Anne Gigout, Associate Director, in vitro Biology, Biomarkers, Biobank, Novalix
  
  We will showcase the critical role of biologically relevant assays in modern drug discovery. By integrating in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo pharmacology, Novalix enables robust target identification, mode‑of‑action characterization, and translational assessment. A dedicated case study on inflammation and fibrosis illustrates how advanced cellular models, tissue explants, and disease‑relevant animal models support the selection of clinical candidates with strong human relevance.

• 2:40 – 3:00 pm
  Identification of a BRD4 PROTAC degrader: Harnessing the synergy of DEL and PROTAC technologies
  Dr Laurent Saniere, SVP Drug Discovery, Novalix
  
  We identified a BRD4-targeting PROTAC degrader with submicromolar degradation potency derived directly from a moderately potent hit identified via a DNA-encoded library (DEL) screen using our NovaDEL platform. This underscores the potential of PROTACs to achieve efficient degradation from micromolar binders, a concept rarely demonstrated. This finding reinforces the viability of leveraging such binders in induced proximity strategies and opens new avenues for therapeutic innovation and drug discovery.

• 3:00 – 3:20 pm
  A novel METTL3 inhibitor with anti-tumor activity in the MC38 syngeneic mouse model
  Dr Laurent Saniere, SVP Drug Discovery, Novalix
  
  Using structure-based drug design, we developed novel METTL3 inhibitors, leading to the identification of MAR-045, a selective METTL3 inhibitor that demonstrated cellular target engagement and strong anti-tumor activity. Oral administration of MAR-045 resulted in tumor stasis in the MC38 syngeneic model, while combination treatment with an anti-PD1 antibody produced significant tumor regression. These results identify MAR-045 as a novel, selective METTL3 inhibitor with high efficacy as a single agent or in combination with anti-PD1.
  

• 3:20 – 3:50 pm
  Coffee break 

• 3:50 – 4:20 pm
  Targeting GPCRs with Agonistic Antibodies: A New Frontier in Obesity Treatment
  Dr Ann De Blieck, Principal Scientist, Confo Therapeutics
  
  Using Confo Therapeutics’ proprietary technology platform, highly potent and selective antibody-based GPCR agonists targeting Melanocortin 4 Receptor (MC4R), a key regulator for hunger and satiety, were discovered. Structure elucidation of MC4R with an agonist VHH revealed deep orthosteric engagement and high selectivity. In vivo efficacy was demonstrated in a diet-induced obese mouse model, with superior selectivity over setmelanotide. These findings highlight the potential of MC4R agonism to support the development of improved therapeutic strategies for obesity.

• 4:20 – 4:50 pm
  Structure-Based Design Enabling the Discovery of TEAD Inhibitors
  Dr Arnaud Marchand, Executive Director Medicinal Chemistry, CD3
  
  Many cancers harbor mutations in the Hippo pathway causing constitutive activation of the YAP/TAZ transcriptional co-activators. To target these cancers, we have developed small molecule TEAD inhibitors that block TEAD-dependent transcription by binding to the palmitoylation pocket of TEAD proteins. Structure-based design enabled the discovery of covalent and non-covalent leads with low nanomolar cellular activity and in vivo efficacy. These findings supported the development of advanced TEAD inhibitors, including SW-682, currently in a Phase I study (NCT06251310).

• 4:50 – 5:20 pm
  Novel HDAC6 Inhibitors with Therapeutic Potential Across Cardiometabolic and Neuromuscular Diseases
  Dr Frederik Rombouts, Vice President, Head of Drug Discovery, Augustine Therapeutics
  
  Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is a compelling cytosolic deacetylase target with therapeutic potential across cardiometabolic and neuromuscular diseases, but the development of selective inhibitors with suitable safety profiles has remained challenging. Augustine Therapeutics has developed a novel chemotype enabling highly selective, non-epigenetic inhibition of HDAC6. […] This presentation will highlight the journey from collaborative discovery to disease-focused translation, illustrating how integrated chemistry, biology, and biomarker strategies can unlock new therapeutic opportunities for HDAC6 inhibition in cardiometabolic disease, with broader potential in neuromuscular and related indications.

• 5:20 – 5:30 pm
  Wrap-up and conclusion 
  Dr Anne de Villeroché, Director Business Development, Novalix
  Dr Luc Van Hijfte, Senior advisor Drug Discovery, Novalix, and EFMC president

• 5:30 – 7:00 pm
  Cocktail reception

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

Register your interest to secure your spot, you will then receive an email to confirm your registration if space is available:

Discover our speakers

Luc Van Hijfte, PhD
Distinguished Research Fellow, Senior advisor Drug Discovery, Novalix, and 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.

Anne de Villeroché, PhD
Director Business Development, Novalix
Over 17 years of experience in the life sciences industry. Held BD roles at Eurofins, Isochem, PCAS/Seqens. Oversees clients across France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

Anne Gigout, PhD
Associate Director, in vitro Biology, Biomarkers, Biobank, Novalix
More than 15 years of experience in drug discovery (Merck, Galapagos). in vivo models, osteoarthritis. Responsible for immunology in vivo platform. Expert in osteoarthritis field.

Laurent Saniere, PhD
Senior Vice-President Drug Discovery, Novalix
More than 20 years experience in drug discovery (Galapagos). Held different positions from medicinal chemistry to head of therapeutic area, overseeing projects from target discovery to translational pharmacology. Expert in fibrotic diseases.

Ann De Blieck, PhD
Principal Scientist, Confo Therapeutics
Brings over 14 years of drug discovery experience in the biotechnology sector, spanning multiple therapeutic areas including inflammation and autoimmune diseases, cystic fibrosis, antiviral and antibacterial research, and metabolic and endocrine disorders. At Confo Therapeutics, a company focused on the development of therapeutics directed to GPCRs, she holds a dual role as medicinal chemist and project leader. She is the inventor of CFTX-1554, a novel small molecule angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) antagonist currently in clinical development as a first in class, non-opioid analgesic for the treatment of chronic pain and licensed to Eli Lilly.

Arnaud Marchand, PhD
Executive Director of Medicinal Chemistry, CD3
Dr Arnaud Marchand leads a team focused on the development of novel drug candidates across several therapeutic areas. He brings more than 25 years of experience in drug discovery, during which he has held various roles in multiple organizations.
Dr Marchand is an inventor of four clinical drug candidates in the fields of infectious diseases, oncology, and pain.

Frederik Rombouts, PhD
Vice President, Head of Drug Discovery, Augustine Therapeutics
A drug discovery leader with over 20 years of experience in medicinal chemistry in both large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, Dr Rombouts began his career at Janssen Pharmaceuticals (Johnson & Johnson), where he held roles of increasing responsibility spanning hit generation, project leadership, and global program oversight across neuroscience and oncology. His work contributed to multiple development candidates, including a tau PET imaging agent evaluated in patients and selective BACE1 inhibitors. He currently serves as Vice President of Drug Discovery at Augustine Therapeutics, where he oversees discovery strategy and pipeline progression, including advancing novel peripherally restricted and CNS penetrant HDAC6 inhibitor from discovery into clinical development. Frederik is an author of 55 publications and an inventor on over 30 patent families.

Isabelle Parent
Manager Business Development, Novalix
Over 18 years of experience in Drug Discovery. Former Project Manager in in vitro Pharmacology. Senior Scientist at Galapagos, developing biomarkers. Oversees clients across France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.