Digitalisation and Automation in Chemistry

Predicting structure, reactivity & properties in modern drug discovery

Key data

Degree: Confirmation of participation
Next start: 8.09.2025
Duration: 5 days (individual days also available)
Final application date: Fri, 18.4.2025
School days: 8.09.2025 – 12.09.2025
Teaching language: English
Place: FHNW Campus Muttenz
Fee: CHF 1'650 (or CHF 330 per day)

The 5-day seminar gives insights into the current state of the art of digitalisation, and how it is influencing the future of chemistry in drug discovery, chemical engineering and process development.

In recent years, computer assisted techniques have been integrated into chemical processes and are especially beneficial in drug discovery and toxicology. Using molecular modelling software to simulate ligand molecules in receptors is already well established in industry, but digitalisation offers far more. Structural databases, computer-assisted retrosynthesis, artificial intelligence in drug development, fully automated synthesis and other applications will change the way we work in the future.

Content

Each day of the seminar will focus on one of the following topics:

Molecular Modelling / Receptor Simulation using Schrödinger’s Maestro Software
Databases and data integration with Extract, Transform and Load (ETL)
Drug discovery: examples and case studies
Extended reality (Augmented and Virtual)
Laboratory Automation and Robotics - fully automated laboratories

The morning sessions include presentations, lectures and case studies while the afternoons are dedicated to topic workshops. During the week there will be one or two excursions to see applied digitalisation and automation at work in an industrial setting.

Requirement: Bring your personal notebook/laptop.

Overview

The seminar is designed for professionals in the chemical and life sciences industries. FHNW Students can also participate in the seminar, provided they meet the admission requirements. This offers professionals valuable insights into the perspectives and approaches of advanced Life Sciences students, with the added benefit of direct interaction. In turn, FHNW students gain from the expertise of, and first-hand exchanges with, industry professionals and can connect with potential future employers.

The Seminar is held by industry specialists (lecturers are subject to change):

Prof. Dr. Sebastian Wendeborn, Prof. Dr. Abdullah Kahraman (FHNW School of Life Sciences)
Dr. Mila Krämer (Schrödinger)
Dr. Reto Grob (augmentIT AG)
George Martens (Tecworks AG)
Dr. Julien Hazemann (Idorsia AG)
Dr. Marco Stenta (Syngenta)
Dr. Guillaume Malcouronne (Chemspeed Technologies AG)
Dr. Georg Wuitschick (F.Hoffmann-La Roche AG)