European
Biotech Week
Innovation is in our Genes
European Biotech Week 2026
A must-see drug discovery event at IRBM
Target validation, tractability and modality selection: the evidence behind early discovery decisions.
Postponed to 29 October 2026
Live streaming only
Details and registration on Fierce Biotech
Something is taking shape at IRBM for European Biotech Week 2026.
In early drug discovery the hardest part is rarely the science itself. It is knowing which evidence is enough to move forward, and when.
This year IRBM is preparing a session built around exactly that: the experiments, the data and the judgement calls that decide whether a target enters a full discovery campaign, and which therapeutic modality that target deserves.
The session has been postponed to 29 October 2026.
The broadcast originally planned for 1 October will now take place on 29 October 2026, online only. The full session details, the broadcast time and the registration form are on the Fierce Biotech webinar page.
What the session will cover
Decisions made during target assessment and early discovery have a disproportionate impact on everything downstream. The discussion stays anchored in experimental evidence and real programme decisions rather than in frameworks.
01
Target biology and disease relevance
Genetic and cellular validation, and the evidence that actually connects a target to human disease.
02
Tractability
What structural, biophysical and early screening data tell you about whether a target can be engaged at all.
03
Modality suitability
Small molecules, peptides, biologics and emerging modalities: which one the evidence points to, and what supports that choice.
04
Translational biomarkers
Choosing readouts early enough that they can still change the direction of a programme.
05
Early pharmacology
The in vitro and in vivo evidence that supports progression, or argues against it.
06
Go / no-go decisions
Where scientific evidence, portfolio priorities and funding realities meet, including the programmes that were stopped.
Format
Opening
A short scientific introduction from IRBM.
Core
A moderated panel discussion with discovery leaders from biotech and pharma, built around concrete examples and real decisions.
Close
Questions from the audience.
Full programme, speaker line-up and broadcast time are on the Fierce Biotech webinar page.
Who it is for
- CSOs and Heads of Drug Discovery
- VPs and Directors of Discovery Biology and Early Discovery
- Target validation, structural biology and translational leads
- Programme and portfolio leaders
- Business development professionals, investors and advisors evaluating early-stage discovery
This is a session for people who make or influence target and modality decisions. It is not a general introduction to drug discovery.
Register for the webinar
The session has been postponed to 29 October 2026. Registration and the full details, including programme and broadcast time, are now on the Fierce Biotech webinar page. If you joined our waiting list, please register there to receive the joining link.
About European Biotech Week
European Biotech Week is a Europe-wide series of events launched by EuropaBio in 2013 to show, to a wide and non-specialist audience, what biotechnology does in everyday life: from therapeutics and diagnostics to agri-food, industrial processes, environmental remediation and renewable energy.
The 2026 edition is the fourteenth and runs from 28 September to 5 October, with satellite events in the weeks before and after. In Italy the programme is coordinated by Federchimica Assobiotec. IRBM takes part in 2026 with an online session on early drug discovery.
Organised at IRBM · Pomezia (Rome)
European Biotech Week is an initiative of EuropaBio
Coordinated in Italy by Federchimica Assobiotec