Taking place from 16 to 19 April 2024, the workshop objectives included teaching the basic concepts of preclinical drug discovery research; facilitating practical, team-based sessions to reinforce key concepts; and building collaborative international, interdisciplinary networks between the workshop participants.

International speakers included Dr Bahne Stechmann, Dr Sheraz Gul, Prof Carsten Hopf, Dr Frank Surup, and Dr Andrea Zaliani from Germany; Dr Grace Mugumbate from Zimbabwe and Dr Richard Amewu from Ghana. Local speakers included Dr Susan Winks, Prof Adrienne Edkins, Dr John Woodland, Prof Lyn-Marie Birkholtz, Dr Lauren Coulson, Dr Mathew Njoroge, Dr Liezl Gibhard, Dr Greg Basarab, and Ms Jessica Akester. 

 A total of 42 participants from 20 different African institutions across 10 countries attended the four-day workshop. The participants received full financial support to join in person. The workshop covered a wide range of topics including:

• introductions to drug discovery
• HIT discovery options
• screening cascades
• compound library assessments
• in-silico approaches
• chemical biology approaches
• mass spectrometry applications
• processes for target selection
• introduction to ADME assays
• in-vivo PK and PK/PD relationships
• compound optimisation
• case histories in drug optimisation
• metabolism effects in African populations
• the challenges of drug discovery in an African context
• FAIRification of data
• natural product approaches
• project management tools. 

In breakaway groups, participants had a chance to apply their knowledge in theoretical exercises, facilitated by members of the lecturing team. 

When asked which module was a highlight, one participant expressed, “All of them actually. [The speakers] couldn’t have been any better. They put the drug discovery field, which I know well, into an African perspective for me.”

Another noted, “Compared to other similar workshops, this was excellent at being participative which increased the value. The speakers were also very engaged and accessible – this was a real positive.”

The lab tours and demonstrations need a special mention. The various H3D labs on the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Upper- and Health Sciences campuses, provided participants from beyond Cape Town a glimpse into the state-of-the-art drug discovery capabilities and facilities that have been established. Through the eyes of the participants, H3D shines as a beacon of hope for drug discovery on the continent.

One young researcher commented, “The learning experience was comprehensive and very insightful. I got an overview of the drug discovery process, which helped clarify my interests. I am now better prepared to tackle my PhD project.”

The H3D Foundation and its partners are proud of this workshop, which not only achieved its outcomes but also inspired, connected and encouraged some of the early career researchers on our continent.