Mass Spectrometry in Drug Discovery: Covalent and Non-Covalent Screening Applications

About this webinar

Identifying small-molecule binders for complex biological targets remains a major challenge in early drug discovery, particularly when working with membrane proteins or large protein complexes. Mass spectrometry (MS)–based screening approaches are increasingly used to address these challenges, but they can present technical limitations and experimental design considerations. ​

In this webinar, Dr Johann Stojko, experienced biophysicist at Novalix, will present integrated workflows that combine covalent fragment screening and non-covalent binder detection to support hit discovery and validation. ​

Through practical case studies, attendees will see how complementary MS strategies can help improve confidence in screening results and accelerate progression from hit identification to lead optimization.​

The Novalix webinar will take place at:

4.00 p.m. BST, WEST (UK, Lisbon)
5.00 p.m. CEST (Paris, Madrid, Frankfurt etc.)
11.00 a.m. EDT (New York, Boston)
8.00 a.m. PDT (San Francisco, LA)

Learning objectives

· Understand the screening approaches developed at Novalix
· Explore workflows used to address challenging targets, including membrane proteins and protein complexes
· Identify the limitations and advantages of each technique
. Learn how experimental design and appropriate controls can improve confidence in MS screening results

If you are unable to attend the webinar, you can still register to access the replay.

Discover our speakers

This webinar will be presented by:

Dr Johann Stojko
Senior Project Manager Mass Spectrometry
Johann Stojko is a Senior Project Manager in Mass Spectrometry with over a decade of experience supporting drug discovery in the biopharmaceutical industry.
He earned his PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Strasbourg in 2016, where he developed native MS and ion mobility approaches to characterize non-covalent protein complexes at the LSMBO laboratory. He spent six years at Servier, contributing to multiple research programs by establishing and applying an automated HDX-MS platform across diverse targets and therapeutic areas.
Since joining Novalix in 2022, Johann has been developing MS-based screening strategies to identify covalent and non-covalent small-molecule hits on challenging targets, including membrane proteins, supporting projects from early discovery to preclinical stages.

Dr François Debaene
Head of Mass Spectrometry
François Debaene is Head of Mass Spectrometry at Novalix, a position he has held for 7 years. With over 15 years of expertise in mass spectrometry (MS), particularly structural MS, he has supported numerous drug discovery projects in the biopharmaceutical and CRO sectors.
He obtained his PhD at the University of Strasbourg on PNA-encoded library, followed by postdoctoral work in structural MS at LSMBO/CNRS and a position at Sanofi Paris as Deputy Head of the Structural Analysis Laboratory.
Since 2017, François has built and led the MS team at Novalix, implementing advanced approaches surch as HDX-MS and SEC-UV-native MS for structural studies, as well as covalent and non-covalent screening approaches, including binding site identification for soluble or membrane proteins.
He has authored over 40 publications and oral communications, and currently manages a team of six scientists and three dedicated MS systems.

Webinar sponsored by Novalix

Organizer: Technology Networks