Project description
Drug discovery with automation
Synthetic chemistry, unlike many other fields, has been slow to embrace automation and miniaturisation. The current drug discovery process is time-consuming, costly, and often inefficient, relying heavily on manual procedures. Additionally, the environmental impact and reproducibility issues in traditional synthesis methods remain significant challenges. Despite these barriers, automation could accelerate discoveries, reduce costs, and enhance safety and sustainability. The ERC-funded AMADEUS project aims to revolutionise this space. It offers a fully autonomous platform capable of synthesising thousands of small molecules daily in nano- or picolitre volumes. By integrating modules for synthesis, purification, and machine learning-driven optimisation, AMADEUS accelerates drug discovery while lowering costs and democratising access to new treatments.
Objective
The mantra ‘Automation + Miniaturization = Acceleration’ is successfully applied in many research areas and technologies, but not in synthetic chemistry, which is largely believed to be not automatable. However, with the potential to accelerate discoveries while flattening costs, increase safety, streamline data generation, enhance reproducibility, and lower the environmental footprint, automation and miniaturization are two promising approaches to synthesis and are worthwhile to invest in.
I will engineer and validate a comprehensive, technology platform, AMADEUS (Automated, MiniAturizeD, and acceleratEd drUg diScovery), which is able to synthesize in a fully autonomous manner thousands of small molecules per day in nano- or picolitre volumes, based on hundreds of chemistries, efficiently screened and optimized for properties using artificial intelligence. The AMADEUS process will be achieved by interfacing four different modules: a synthetic part based on acoustic droplet ejection technology, coupled with a UPLC MS QC and purification module, and a flexible mounted screening unit. A machine learning module will retrieve and process all relevant synthesis, QC, and screening ‘real-time’ data and automatically guide the iterative optimization cycle.
AMADEUS will be showcased with several medicinal chemistry, catalysis, and organic chemistry projects.
With my project, I want to challenge the early drug discovery process, which for over 50 years in pharma companies around the world has (almost uniformly) been pursued and comprises two blocks, 1) a high throughput screen relying on millions of curated and stored compounds and 2) the subsequent hit-to-lead optimization phase often called the ‘design, make, test cycle’.
AMADEUS will contribute to the accelerated discovery of drugs for unmet medical needs and ultimately reduce drug costs for patients.
AMADEUS is a highly sustainable synthesis platform.
AMADEUS will help democratize drug discovery.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering mechatronics automation
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
- Autonomous drug discovery
- technology platform
- nano synthesis
- miniaturized organic chemistry
- acoustic droplet ejection
- machine learning
- evolutionary algorithm
- redesign DMTA
- accelerate early drug discovery
- chiral catalyst optimization
- personalized medicine
- p53 Y220C covalent modifier
- RNA targeting by small molecules
- immuno oncology
- PD-L1 degrader
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-ADG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
771 47 Olomouc
Czechia
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.