Fifth edition of MCADDI 2026 to be held at University of Hyderabad from October 25

The Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) will inaugurate the fifth edition of MCADDI 2026 (Medicinal Chemistry, Drug Discovery & Development India), a globally recognised programme presenting the full spectrum of drug discovery and development, at the University of Hyderabad on October 25.

The six-day programme, being held in Hyderabad for the first time, will continue until October 30 and feature over 200 industry professionals and researchers.

The programme will feature lectures by scientists from leading global pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, AbbVie and Novartis, and Indian organisations such as Aragen, Aurigene and Sai Life Sciences.

According to FABA executive president Pallu Reddanna, India’s rapidly growing drug discovery ecosystem has increased the demand for well-trained medicinal chemists and drug discovery scientists. He added that Hyderabad was a fitting host for this edition.

The programme will feature 31 lectures covering the drug discovery process, from fundamental principles to clinical development, with an emphasis on real-world case studies presented by scientists directly involved in the research.

Percy Carter of Pfizer, a former head of discovery for Bristol Myers Squibb who also led the Biocon–BMS R&D Centre in Bengaluru, will deliver the keynote address on advances in breast cancer therapy.

Nick Meanwell, distinguished professor at the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, will deliver five lectures drawing on his four-decade career at Bristol Myers Squibb. His work involved teams that developed the hepatitis C drugs daclatasvir, asunaprevir and beclabuvir, as well as the HIV-1 drug fostemsavir.

The event will also feature sessions on AI-driven drug design and emerging drug discovery technologies. The inaugural ceremony will be held at the University of Hyderabad on Sunday, and the CEO conclave will take place at ITC Kohenur in Madhapur.

At the event, the FABA Awards will recognise biotechnology innovators. The awards include a Young Scientist Award carrying a prize of Rs. 5 lakh and two Doctoral Awards of Rs.1 lakh each.