The 5th Molecules Medicinal Chemistry Symposium
New Trends in Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery
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The journey continues—join us for the ICOPharm-2!
the chairs
We are delighted to announce The 5th Molecules Medicinal Chemistry Symposium (MMCS 2026): New Trends in Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, which will take place in Beijing, China, from 14-17 May, 2026.
MMCS 2026 is proudly organized by MDPI, the esteemed publisher of the open-access journal Molecules. Building on the outstanding success of previous events held in Rome and Barcelona, this symposium continues our commitment to pushing the boundaries of chemical biology and drug discovery. This year offers an engaging and comprehensive program, highlighting the latest advancements and exploring cutting-edge topics:
Session 1: Chemical Biology for Drug Discovery
Session 2: Medicinal Chemistry Tales
Session 3: Natural Products in Drug Discovery
Session 4: AI for Drug Discovery
Session 5: Drug Discovery Targeting GPCRs and Ion Channels
Session 6: New Proximity-Based Drug Modalities
Session 7: Biocatalysis for Natural Product and Drug Synthesis
Each session will feature distinguished keynote speakers, sharing their groundbreaking insights and latest research findings. Complementing these presentations, selected talks from promising young researchers and poster sessions will offer a platform for emerging scientists to showcase their innovative work and contribute to this vibrant exchange of ideas.
Beijing provides an inspiring setting for this prestigious event. With a blend of rich cultural heritage and cutting-edge innovation, the city offers the perfect backdrop for participants to engage in thought-provoking discussions on research innovation whilst also exploring the beauty of one of the worlds most captivating places in the springtime.
We would be delighted to welcome you to Beijing for what promises to be an enlightening and impactful symposium. Together, let us explore new horizons, foster collaboration, and shape the future of chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, and drug discovery.
Kind regards,
Prof. Dr. Xiaoguang Lei, Peking University, China
Prof. Dr. Diego Muñoz-Torrero, University of Barcelona, Spain
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Important Dates
- Abstract submission deadlineMar 13, 2026
- Abstract acceptance notificationMar 27, 2026
- Early bird registration deadlineApr 03, 2026
- Regular registration deadlineMay 14, 2026
Meet Our Speakers
Prof. Dr. Dawei Ma
Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, CAS, China;
https://sioc.cas.cn/sourcedb/cn/team/ys/200906/t20090621_6770733.html
Prof. Dr. Richard DiMarchi
Indiana University, USA;
Richard DiMarchi is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. DiMarchi served as a Group Vice President at Eli Lilly and later at Novo Nordisk.
He is recognized for his contributions to the discovery and development of rDNA-derived Humulin®, Humalog®, rGlucagon®, and Forteo®. His academic research has broadened the understanding of glucagon and incretin physiology and pioneered the discovery of single molecule multi-mechanism agonists for the treatment of diabetes and obesity.
The central element to success has been the chemical vision and technology to install within single molecules simultaneous agonism, related G-protein-coupled receptors, coupled to the counter-intuitive discovery that glucagon and GIP agonism could synergize the therapeutic efficacy of GLP-1. These peptides and the conceptual approach have transformed the management of excessive body weight to a condition comparable to how hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, and excess cholesterol are medicinally managed.
College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, China;
Prof. Xiaoguang Lei obtained a BS in chemistry from Peking University in 2001 and a Ph.D. in organic synthesis from Boston University under the supervision of Prof. John Porco in 2006. Then he conducted postdoc work in bioorganic chemistry with Prof. Samuel Danishefsky at Columbia University from 2006 to 2008. In early 2009, he returned to China. He started his independent career as a Principal Investigator and Director of the Chemistry Center at the National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS) in Beijing. In early 2014, he received a tenured full professorship at Peking University and moved to the College of Chemistry. Now, he is the Boya Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, a senior PI of the Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, and a PI of the prestigious New Cornerstone Science Laboratory. His primary research areas are chemical biology, biocatalysis, synthetic biology, and drug discovery. He has received many prestigious awards, including the 2025 BMS Lectureship Award at Yale, the 2023 Sackler Chair Visiting Scholar Award in Israel, the 2022 Molecules Tu Youyou Award, the 2022 Xplore Prize, the 2021 Boehringer-Ingelheim Senior Investigator Award, the 2020 Bayer Investigator Award, the 2018 David Ginsburg Award in Israel, the 2017 Tetrahedron Young Investigator Award, the 2017 Swiss Chemical Society Distinguished Lectureship Award, the 2015 Chemical Society of Japan Distinguished Lectureship Award, the 2014 Roche Young Investigator Award, the 2013 International Chemical Biology Society (ICBS) Young Chemical Biologist Award, the 2013 Servier Young Investigator Award in Medicinal Chemistry, and the 2010 IUPAC Young Chemist Award, etc. He is currently an Associate Editor for JACS Au.
Sessions
Explore more details
MMCS 2026 – Conference Concluded Successfully！
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all participants, speakers, and sponsors who contributed to the success of the 5th Molecules Medicinal Chemistry Symposium in Beijing. Your engagement and insights made this event a truly inspiring academic gathering.
The photo from the event is available at HERE. We hope you enjoy revisiting these wonderful moments!
Invoice for Chinese Participants
Chinese participants who require an official invoice may request it through HERE. Please log in using the mobile phone number used during payment.
For a detailed guideline, please refer to HERE.
中国参会者如需开具会议发票，请点击此处提交申请。请使用付款时填写的手机号登录系统。
详细操作指南请见此文件。
Conference Attendance Confirmation
For participants from China, if you require an official conference notification with the organizer stamp, please click HERE to download.
中国参会者如需涵公章版《会议通知》，请点击此文件下载。
Thank you once again for being an essential part of MMCS 2026. We sincerely look forward to reconnecting with you at MMCS 2028!
Best Oral Presentation Award
- Huiyuan Meng — sciforum-163086: Fragment-Induced Enhancement of Extracellular Growth via Metabolic Reprogramming
- Kangdelong Hu —sciforum-180553: Novel Oxidative Amidases for the Efficient Synthesis of Amides
- Xufen Yu — sciforum-175613: PSMA-Mediated Target Protein Degradation Enables Selective and Effective Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Best Poster Award
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Aldrick B. Verano —sciforum-169473: Design and Synthesis of TDP-43-Directed Latrepirdine (DimebonTM)-Based Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs)
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Jarinya Promjaro — sciforum-177348: One-Pot Synthesis of O-Glycosyl Propargylamine Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Agents
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Jing Liu — sciforum-178036: Discovery of a Novel PDK1-Targeting PROTAC by Disrupting Its Non-Enzymatic Functions for Breast Cancer Treatment
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Lonwabo Ngodwana —sciforum-167676: Optimizing the Bioactivity of Psychorubrin Through Chemical Derivatization: Studies in the Structure-to-Activity Relationship
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Xiaoyan Wu — sciforum-166509: Large-Scale Screening of PD-L1 Small-Molecule Inhibitors via Integration of AI Models and Molecular Dynamics Simulations
JULABO
The overall exhibition experience was highly positive. The platform proved highly effective for developing overseas clients, with clear procedures and attentive service throughout. The event brought together key industry peers, facilitating valuable exchanges of market intelligence and providing accurate access to the latest trends. It also attracted qualified leads, generating collaboration opportunities and measurable brand exposure. Pre-event preparation was thorough, on-site coordination was efficient, and the catering was well-handled—making for a seamless experience. We look forward to participating in future editions, as this event strongly aligns with our overseas business development needs. We have already recommended it to both industry peers and internal departments.
Focused Photonics (Hangzhou), Inc.
TOPSCIENCE (Overseas-TargetMol)
HitGen
Tanon
Feedback from Corporate Representative
Reflecting its growing global impact, MMCS 2026 successfully convened 239 attendees from 37 countries, featured 3 plenaries, 14 keynotes, 35 oral presentations, and 98 poster presentations, alongside 12 industrial sponsors, and attracted 257 submissions, building a professional and efficient platform for cross-regional academic dialogue.
Day 2 - Friday, 15 May 2026 | 17:00-18:30
Each presenter will be provided with a vertical poster board. Maximum poster size limited to 90 cm x 140 cm. You can use our free template to create your poster. The poster template can be downloaded here.
Please bring your printed poster to the venue. All posters must be installed at the designated area before 15:15 on 15 May 2026.
You may check the poster's title, presenting author and poster number by clicking on the icon below. Should any details need to be updated, please don't hesitate to reach out.
To honor Professor Tu Youyou's remarkable contributions to human health and build upon her achievements, MDPI established the Tu Youyou Award in 2016. This award aims to acknowledge exceptional scholars committed to the research fields of natural product chemistry and medicinal chemistry.
Prize:
- CHF 100,000 (to be divided equally should multiple recipients be awarded).
- An award medal and a certificate.
Nomination Deadline: 31 October 2026
For further information, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website (https://tuyouyouprize.org/).
For any inquiries, please contact the Tu Youyou Award Team at tuyouyouaward@mdpi.com.
1. Preparations Before Departure
1.1. Credentials/Documents
(a) Passport
(b) Visa if needed
1.2. Daily Necessities
(a) Masks, medicines (e.g., cold medicine/gastrointestinal medicine/anti-inflammatory medicine)
(b) Conversion plug, mobile phone card (open international traffic)
(c) Credit card and some cash; commonly used Alipay and WeChat
1.3. Hotel Information
Hotel: Beiyuan Grand Hotel
Address: Building A6, Shuangying Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
中文地址：北京朝阳区双营路甲6号院，北京，北京北苑大酒店
Contact number: 13034737388 (Sherry Wang 王雪婷)
Email: 441365202@qq.com
2. Local Life Tips
To help you prepare for your trip to China and your participation in MMCS 2026, we recommend referring to the official guide provided by the People's Government of Beijing Municipality:
➡️ Essential Tips for New Arrivals
This official resource offers comprehensive and up-to-date information for international visitors, covering essential aspects of travel and daily life in China.
2.1. Public Safety
Chinese police number: 110
Chinese emergency number: 120
Fire alarm number in China: 119
2.2. Payment
China is well known for its highly developed and nearly universally accepted digital payment systems, which are continuously being optimized for international visitors.
➡️ Payment service guide: How to pay
2.3 Transportation
Search routes: Amap, Baidu Maps
➡️ Getting aroud in Beijing: Transportation
Dr. Lien Wang
Ms. Riley Liu
Ms. Carol Yan
mmcs2026@mdpi.com
For inquiries regarding submissions, registrations and sponsorship opportunities, please feel free to contact us.