THSTI, in collaboration with DNDi and funded by the Novo Nordisk project & DBT, hosted a one-day symposium on "Drug Discovery – Success Stories" on February 18, 2025, at its campus. The event brought together experts from academia, industry, and research organizations to share insights and advancements in drug discovery, focusing on emerging, remerging, and neglected diseases. A key highlight of the symposium was the THSTI-DNDi collaboration and the crucial role of public-private partnerships in accelerating research and development especially for neglected diseases. 

Key Takeaways from the Speakers:

• Dr. Anil Koul (J&J, LSHTM) – Explained how AI-driven drug discovery is transforming research, helping identify potential drug candidates faster and more efficiently. A crucial topic for students exploring computational biology and AI in pharma.
• Dr. Shridhar Narayanan (FNDR) – Provided a step-by-step roadmap from drug discovery to patient-ready treatments, covering translational research and regulatory aspects—essential knowledge for those interested in bench-to-bedside innovation.
• Dr. Peter Sjö (DNDi, Geneva) – Focused on the urgent need for new treatments for visceral leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, offering insights into drug development for resource-limited settings.
• Dr. Manjula Kalia (RCB, Faridabad) – Discussed drug repurposing for Japanese encephalitis, demonstrating how existing drugs can be repurposed for new therapeutic applications, a growing field of interest for researchers.

The event concluded with discussions on emerging trends, funding opportunities, and collaboration prospects between academia, industry, and research organizations.