Drug Discovery Unit
We translate basic science into lead compounds to validate putative drug targets, to use as tools to investigate disease pathways and, when appropriate, advance to pre-clinical drug candidates.
We work to biotech style philosophy and standards incorporating, dynamic, goal driven project management based on target product profiles and compound selection criteria. Our major research themes are:
- neglected tropical diseases
- innovative targets and pathways
The DDU has all of the capabilities required for:
- early phase drug discovery
- assay development
- high throughput screening
- cell biology
- medicinal chemistry
- structural biology
- computational chemistry
- DMPK
All of these capabilities operate under one management structure to ensure an integrated approach and rapid progress.
Currently the team is about 120 people and includes substantial experience from the pharmaceutical/ biotech sector. This website contains details of current programmes and supporting infrastructure.
Head of DDU
- Type
- person
Professor Ian Gilbert
Deputy Head of DDU
- Type
- person
Dr Manu De Rycker
Principal Investigators
- Type
- person
Professor Mahmood Ahmed
- Type
- person
Dr Beatriz Baragana
- Type
- person
Dr Laura Cleghorn
- Type
- person
Professor Kevin Read
Business Development
- Type
- person
Dr Charlotte Green
Operational support
| Name | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Lisa Robertson | Finance Business Partner | [email protected] |
| Suze Farrell | DDU Training Academy Manager | [email protected] |
| Kirstie Hughes | PA to Ian Gilbert | [email protected] |
Publications
Stories
-
- Type
- News
Professor Sir Mike Ferguson named as Medicines Discovery Catapult incoming Chair of the Board
Professor Sir Mike Ferguson will take up the position from the beginning of 2027 which will focus on to driving impact as next-generation technologies and collaborations reshape drug discovery
-
- Type
- Press release
Dundee to lead “generational opportunity” to tackle killer disease
An almost £10 million University of Dundee-led project will attempt to develop new treatments for a deadly disease that affects millions of people worldwide.
-
- Type
- Press release
Lifetime Achievement Award caps glory night for University
Professor Sir Mike Ferguson, one of Scotland’s pre-eminent scientists, was recognised for his outstanding research career when he received a Lifetime Achievement Award during a night of celebration for the University of Dundee.
