The 10th anniversary of the Prague-Weizmann Summer School on Advances in Drug Discovery
How can we accelerate the search for new drugs and bring discoveries in this field to market? These critical questions are being addressed for the tenth time at the Prague-Weizmann Summer School on Advances in Drug Discovery, organized by IOCB Prague, UCT Prague, and Weizmann Institute of Science. This event connects young scientists with leading experts from global pharmaceutical companies and academia, bringing together all the key players in the chain that leads to essential medicines, and over the past decade, it has gained international recognition.
"I’m very pleased that the summer school is returning to Prague. This fantastic example of Czech-Israeli cooperation will, for the tenth time, bring together the brightest minds to generate ideas that could improve the lives of millions. Such a mission cannot be undertaken 'half-heartedly.' It requires passion. It was Franz Kafka who said: ‘By passionately believing in something that still does not exist, we create it.’ I hope that this summer school will be a source of great passion and boundless creativity," says Israeli Ambassador Anna Azari.
This year, the summer school welcomes more than a hundred PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from over twenty countries. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the latest trends in drug development, from basic research to clinical applications. The program features over thirty lectures and workshops led by experts from prestigious research institutions, including Cardiff and Cambridge Universities, the Max Planck Institute, the Weizmann Institute, and the Czech Republic's IOCB and UCT Prague. Representatives from major pharmaceutical companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, will also participate.
"The summer school offers young scientists a unique opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the pharmaceutical industry and to meet its key figures. In addition to gaining practical experience, they will also be exposed to cutting-edge science, thanks to experts from both chemistry and biology. This mix is essential for success in this challenging field," explains Professor Martin Fusek, the founder of the summer school.
The Prague-Weizmann Summer School is also a product of successful collaboration between Czech and Israeli scientific institutions. It alternates between the two countries, highlighting the international scope of the event. The partnership with the Weizmann Institute, one of the world’s top research institutions, bridges basic and applied research as well as the pharmaceutical industry.
"The collaboration between IOCB and the Weizmann Institute is an example of ideal cooperation, supporting the transfer of scientific research into practice. We believe that such initiatives are key to accelerating the development of new drugs and improving the lives of patients worldwide," comments Professor Jan Konvalinka, Director of IOCB Prague.
"We are proud of the program we have put together with our partners. The names of the speakers and the institutions they represent speak for themselves," adds Professor Milan Pospíšil, Rector of UCT Prague.
The idea of organizing a summer school focused on drug development was conceived in 2014, when only about forty participants attended. Over the years, the event has gained international prestige. Its focus and results fit perfectly into IOCB's long-term strategy, which is based on three pillars: supporting excellent science and its application, nurturing the next generation, and fostering international collaboration.
