CDF Cambridge - How Tech is changing small molecule drug hunting

Firstly, we are delighted to collaborate with the Cambridge Wide Open Week initiated by the O2h Group, the creators of innovative sci-tech communities, which takes place in Cambridge between June 9 and 14, 2025. If you aren't local to Cambridge, we encourage you to stay a few days or a week to get to know this spectacular community.  This Creative Disruption Forum kicks off what will be a fantastic week of coordinated events and activities during Cambridge Wide Open Week (CWOW).

Creative Disruption Forum (CDF) - On how Tech is changing Small Molecule Drug Hunting on Monday 9 June 2025 - for business leaders and R&D directors of innovation companies and anyone curious about this topic. Our resident thought-leader Prof Tony Sedgwick will interview keynote speakers on how technology enables the change in developing "better" drugs "faster.". This is a high-quality, full-day event for up to 60 business & R&D leaders in an intimate setting conducted under Chatham House Rules.

Is this Creative Disruption Forum right for you?

Are you an R&D Leader, Business leader, or Aspiring Leader in a Small Molecule Biotech, Involved in developing AI/ML solutions for emerging biotech or an investor?

Are you looking to learn from and share experiences with your peers and experienced industry professionals and build your network?

Would you like to participate in informative, engaging and fun thought-leadership discussions and Creative Disruption workshops under Chatham House Rules?

If your answer is yes to these questions, then this #CreativeDisruption Forum is for you.

To be discussed:

How to make your biotech company more investable and accelerate the journey from lab to market:

In a highly competitive environment, we always look for a new angle, something fresh that others have yet to see. We will discuss the significant creative innovations and technologies that make a great small molecule biotech company great. Is it the idea, the science, the execution, the team, the technology they use, the manufacturing method, the drug delivery or the cost to payers? Is it the long-term plan towards marketing? Does it solve a severe unmet medical need? What is the probability of failure or profitability? Does it have a strong IP? Or is it the management that will ultimately bring the investment? What is the “creative disruption“ flair they have? Do they dare to stand out as Leaders?

To spark new thoughts and ideas and build friendships

As organisers, we promise always to entertain, engage, inform and be interactive during our thought-leadership interviews and Creative Disruption workshops. This is to help you spark new thoughts and ideas and build friendships with peers.

How do you benefit from attending?

As a "Leader" in the biotech sector, you will benefit from this "Creative Disruption" workshop. It will allow you to share common challenges and build deeper connections and trust with your peers. In turn, the aim is to build your confidence when working in areas typically outside your comfort zone by learning and discussing with this / your "Agile" peer-to-peer network.

You can broaden your understanding of the key aspects of the commercialisation journey and how to overcome potential barriers. You can speak to people in a similar position about issues you may not have the opportunity to discuss elsewhere. You can discuss your challenges by learning from other people's experiences to help you find a solution or spark an idea. Why let leaders of emerging companies reinvent the wheel to be successful when we can learn from the experiences of others who have faced similar challenges before?

Chatham House Rules apply - "what goes on in the Forum, stays in the Forum - so to speak!"

Our mission is to help you build your innovation-enabled healthcare business so it is "fit for purpose," genuinely innovative and attractive to the global markets. We help you build solid, trustworthy networks with your peer group and help spread your creative R&D business network nationally and internationally. Our motivation and focus are on helping you build long-term, reliable business relationships and supporting your journey through our supportive business community.

Prof Tony Sedgwick, the self-professed www.ThoughtDisruptor.com, facilitates this workshop. Tony has an esteemed career in academia and business; he is a trained pathologist. His accolades include once being the Global Head of Clinical Trials at Roche AG, being a VC and being one of the UK's first Biotech CEOs. Tony has now been CEO of four life science companies, Chairman of over 10 Companies, and held many positions within the academic community. He is also an active psychologist, which has helped him develop his passion for "Agile" community group development. He is a Jiu-Jitsu Grand Master VIII and Jiu-Jitsu trainer. Last year, Tony published the book "The Mighty Advisor", which became a number 1 best seller in the Amazon STEM Business Management category.

We will start this Creative Disruption Forum on Monday, June 9, with a 10.00 am arrival (followed by a prompt 10.30 am start with interviews of prominent thought leaders; see agenda for more details).

For this event, we are limiting it to a maximum of 60 R&D and Biotech Leaders and only (the participants are vetted once booked in on whether they meet these criteria).

We promise that our #CreativeDisruption Forum will be unlike any other life sciences workshop or business network you have experienced. You will walk out of the session inspired, educated,and more connected.

The agenda in summary

10 am - Arrive at Fora, 20 Station Road, Cambridge, CB1 2JD

10.30 am - 11.00 am - Intro to the event by Prof Tony Sedgwick, #AgileLeaders thought-leader, www.thoughtdisruptor.com and also introduce our sponsors.

11.00 am - 12.00 pm - Keynote interviews

12-12.20 - Coffee, tea and refreshements

12.20-1.30 pm - Keynote interviews

1.30 pm - 2.30 pm - Networking Lunch

2.30-4.00 pm - 6-8 Creative Disruption Workshops discussing morning topics

4.00-4.20 pm - Coffee & Tea Break

4.20-5.00 pm - 6-8 Group leader presentations based on earlier conversations

5.00-5.30 pm - Tony Sedgwick's - Summaries Learnings of the day - asking participants and speakers for their final thoughts.

For those wanting to network with the broader life sciences community:

6-9 pm - Non-Official post-event drinks at The Lab in Cambridge - Buy-Your-Own

ADMISSION FEE for Service Companies such as CROs, CDMOs, Law Firms and Patent Attorneys, Consultancy Firms = £190 - ALL-INCLUSIVE

ADMISSION FEE for Innovative Emerging Life Science Companies and Independednt Consultants = £95

Investors can apply for free entry by writing to [email protected].

Thank you to our supporters, CCDC, Pelago Biosciences, CDD Vault and Cambridge Wide Open Week, for supporting our exciting and valuable discussions, "think-tank" workshops and networking. Also thank you to 80th Atom for being our Media Partner.