Exclusive Speaker Interviews
Interview With Brian Sparling and Gustavo Bezerra
Q1. As drug discovery becomes increasingly data-rich and technology-driven, the role of hit identification continues to evolve. What excites you most about how hit discovery is changing, and where do you see the most opportunity for innovation?
Brian: What excites me most is that current expansions in modalities and high-throughput proximity-based screening approaches will allow us to interdict a wider and more diverse set of biologically compelling targets. As we expand our hit-finding toolbox, I see a great deal of opportunities to identify multiple means of modifying target-based pathobiology.
Q2. Despite advances in screening platforms and computational tools, identifying high-quality hits remains a complex and often unpredictable process. In your view, what's the single most important factor that determines whether a hit progresses or fails?
Brian: Hit finding isn’t “one-size-fits-all.” Tailoring hit-finding approaches to the idiosyncrasies of the target will play an important role in the success of a hit-finding campaign.
Q3. Every successful hit campaign carries lessons that only emerge in hindsight. Looking back, what's one unexpected insight you've gained that should influence how the industry approaches hit identification?
Brian: Every chemist has biases for better or worse. The ability to objectively look at hit-finding and make data-driven progression decisions should be a goal we all strive for.
Gustavo: Efforts should focus on gaining a more in-depth understanding of the target biology, considering its physiological context. This includes the role of post-translational modifications (such as glycosylation), oligomeric states, and the presence of potential binding partners. If the hit identification campaign is not performed with a target close to its native state, inconsistencies may arise in downstream in vitro and in vivo experiments.
Q4. The 2nd Hit ID Summit will gather senior leaders from the industry who're keen to learn from and engage with the community. What's one thing that you're most looking forward to at this year's conference?
Brian: I’m looking forward to hearing more about hit-finding approaches in particularly challenging contexts.