Join us in-person in Boston, MA, USA at SLAS2026. Learn more about our involvement in the event below.
Evotec at SLAS2026
Presentations
Beyond Traditional Screening: Integrating AI/ML with Biophysical and Label Free Approaches for Rapid Hit Identification
Date and Time: Monday 9th February 2026; 2:00 pm
Presenter: Dirk Winkler PhD, SVP Hit Identification
Early drug discovery is a critical step in developing new medicines, and AI/ML-supported workflows are transforming the process from hit identification to lead optimization. At Evotec, we have introduced innovative hit-finding strategies that combine large experimental datasets with AI/ML models to accelerate hit discovery. Integrated with advanced biophysical and label-free technologies such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and mass spectrometry, these approaches streamline hit identification and validation, enabling more efficient early-stage discovery. Within the presentation, real-world examples are showcased including Enricture, our new solution that couples affinity selection–mass spectrometry with AI/ML-based enrichment for rapid ligandability assessment and hit ID, demonstrating the power of these methods to efficiently identify hits within lead-like chemical space.
High Throughput Transcriptomics for Drug Screening: An Unbiased Multidimensional Readout to Assess Efficacy, Mechanism of Action and Safety Right from the Start
Date and Time: Monday 9th February 2026; 4:00 pm
Presenter: Rüdiger Fritsch PhD, VP Panomics
ScreenSeq™ is a proprietary, scalable 384-well transcriptomics platform designed to enhance early drug discovery by providing an unbiased, multidimensional readout of compound efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action. With over 3 million transcriptomes profiled, it enables high-quality, cost-effective screening from primary hits to hit expansion and SAR analysis. In a study of 20,000 compounds, ScreenSeq™ successfully identified hits that reversed disease-associated transcriptomic signatures, supporting informed decision-making throughout the pipeline. Future work aims to extend its use into lead optimization, creating a fully transcriptomics-enabled workflow from screening to candidate nomination.
