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.

Scientist working in lab

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.

Visit the DDU website

Head of DDU

person

Professor Ian Gilbert

  • Professor/Head of the Drug Discovery Unit and Roscoe Chair in Drug Discovery

  • Design and synthesis of potential therapeutic agents

    [email protected]

    +44 (0)1382 386240

Deputy Head of DDU

person

Dr Manu De Rycker

  • Principal Investigator/Senior Lecturer, Head of Biology, Deputy Head of DDU and Division of Biological Chemistry & Drug Discovery

Principal Investigators

Business Development

Operational support

Name Role Email
Lisa Robertson Finance Business Partner [email protected]
Suze Farrell DDU Training Academy Manager [email protected]
Kirstie Hughes PA to Ian Gilbert [email protected]

Publications

View publications from the Drug Discovery Unit

Stories

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.

  • Published on 13 March 2026