European Conference on Allostery in Drug Discovery Showcases Worldwide Advances in Allosteric Drug Discovery

Athens, Greece, 12th April 2025 – The European Conference on Allostery in Drug Discovery held on April 9–11, 2025 at the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, brought together leading scientists, early-career researchers, and industry experts to explore the latest advancements in allosteric modulation and its applications in drug discovery. Organized by the ALLODD (Allostery in Drug Discovery) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network, the event marked a significant milestone in collaborative efforts to harness protein allostery for therapeutic innovation. ​

​The conference featured cutting-edge research presentations on allosteric modulation, drug discovery, and therapeutic interventions from a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Prof. Jean-Pierre Changeux (Institut Pasteur), who delivered the opening plenary lecture on the concept of allosteric interactions and their relevance to brain function and pathology. Other notable speakers with cutting-edge research presentations on allosteric modulation, drug discovery, and therapeutic interventions included Professors and Researchers from the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Novo Nordisk, and Merck KGaA, among others. The conference, extending over three days, was designed in three sessions, which aligned with the three strategic objectives of ALLODD:
·       Session 1: Towards a global understanding of allostery
·       Session 2: Identification of allosteric pockets and ligands
·       Session 3: Understanding allosteric response

These sessions covered a range of topics, from computational approaches to identify allosteric sites to experimental strategies for validating allosteric modulators. Participants included 60 students, researchers, and industry professionals from 3 continents and 12 countries, reporting advances on allosteric drug discovery from around the world.

The Early-stage researchers (ESRs) from the ALLODD network presented their latest findings, contributing to vibrant discussions and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. The conference also featured interactive discussions designed to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange, as well as opportunities to network with experts from academia, industry, and healthcare sectors, further enriching the experience for participants and encouraging future joint efforts in the field of allosteric drug discovery. It should also be noted that 25% of the presentations were contributed by industry professionals.

Finally, a poster session provided a platform for emerging scientists to showcase their work and engage with experts in the field.

The opening lecture of Prof. Jean-Pierre Changeux and the ESR presentations are available on the ALLODD YouTube channel (11 videos).

The full Book of Abstracts, the programme, and additional details about the European Conference on Allostery in Drug Discovery are available at the official ALLODD website.  

For more information about ALLODD and future events, visit: www.allodd-itn.eu.

ALLODD Project Coordinator:
Dr. Zoe Cournia
Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Greece
[email protected]

ALLODD Project Manager:
Dr. Alexios Chatzigoulas
Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Greece
[email protected]