The REMEDi4ALL Drug Repurposing Bootcamp for Academics
From Hypothesis to Impact: Navigating the Repurposing Pathway
Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK
Join us for the second REMEDi4ALL Drug Repurposing Bootcamp for Academics
From Hypothesis to Impact: Navigating the Repurposing Pathway
Drug repurposing represents a vital pathway for treatment development, both for patient communities and academic innovators. Finding new uses for existing drugs can provide a more rapid pathway to patient impact, both by reducing the number of steps to a clinical trial and reducing the financial barrier to research.
While the potential of repurposing is huge, the pathway to deliver a repurposed medicine from concept to market remains a hugely challenging one. This is particularly hard for academic researchers to navigate – employing their scientific skill set to the complex and highly regulated world of drug development unsupported can lead to projects quickly becoming mired in challenges or uncertainty.
The REMEDi4ALL Drug Repurposing Bootcamp for Academics, held at the Wellcome Genome Campus in Cambridge, aims to support researchers embarking on this journey. This pilot training course will provide face to face training to explain the full drug repurposing pathway, helping researchers understand the steps involved in turning a repurposing hypothesis into a product capable of delivering real impact to patients.
DETAILS
Dates & Time
11-12 March 2026
Location
Hinxton Hall
Wellcome Genome Campus
Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
Entry
Register now (Registrations close 9am on 14 January)
”“This course is an excellent opportunity for ECR's to dive into the practical aspects of drug repurposing in an excellent scientific environment and with real case studies to help guide their future work.”
Speaker
”“I would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the organisation team for the excellent organisation of the bootcamp. It was a truly insightful and well-structured event, and I gained a lot from the sessions.”
Corinna Schlosser, PhD, attendee
”“Great team who put it together - all very relevant contributions in different fields/ways and also lovely candidates.”
Katrien Van Bocxlaer, Lecturer, University of York, attendee
”“This bootcamp is crucial to everyone who is working on a drug repurposing project and wants to make real impact for patients.”
Speaker
”“This drug repurposing bootcamp was an engaging and insightful experience, bringing together a diverse group of experts and participants. Sessions offered valuable tools and guidance for navigating key aspects of repurposing, from development planning to regulatory pathways. Interactive elements throughout the program encouraged active participation and practical learning. Overall, a well-organized and impactful event that fostered meaningful discussions. Highly recommended for anyone interested in drug repurposing.”
Speaker
What does the programme cover?
The Bootcamp will be delivered through a mixture of expert lectures, discussions, and working groups, allowing us to tap into the expertise in REMEDi4ALL’s growing repurposing community as well as the knowledge and experience of our trainees.
This day and a half training programme will cover:
- The repurposing pathway and product development mindset: how can tools such as the target product profile and repurposing development plan help repurposing research stay focused on patient benefit?
- Repurposing collaborations: how can meaningful and impactful collaborations support repurposing research?
- Regulation and scientific advice: how can academics engage in the regulatory process and how can scientific advice support your development plan?
- The search for funding: what makes a good funding application?
- Selling your science: communicating your ideas to a different audience, whether the public, funding bodies, or industry investors can be pivotal in driving a project to completion. But what makes a good pitch and how should it be constructed?
Confirmed speakers so far!
Rick Thompson
CEO, Beacon: for rare diseases
Rick co-leads REMEDi4ALL’s work on both training and patient engagement, as well as heading up the UK rare disease charity Beacon. Rick has almost ten years’ experience in the rare disease repurposing space, having worked to support the development of new funding mechanisms, delivered multiple conferences and training events, and supported a number of repurposing projects. Rick holds a PhD in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Cambridge.
Prof. Julian Sampson
Professor Emeritus, Cardiff University
Prof. Sampson is a retired clinical geneticist, having held positions as the Head of the Institute of Medical Genetics, and the Director of the Division of Cancer and Genetics at Cardiff University. He led the development of the multidisciplinary tuberous sclerosis service in Cardiff and was instrumental in the development of a repurposed drug for the condition, which is now widely available for patients in the UK and beyond.
Rosan Kreeftmeijer-Vegter
Senior Rare Disease Innovation Officer, EATRIS
Rosan has over a decade of expertise in clinical research and regulatory affairs, which she uses to support researchers through EATRIS in maximising the impact and patient benefits of translational research projects. She is involved in developing and implement training strategies at EATRIS, and created the REPURPOLIS board game to enhance the understanding of drug development and drug repurposing.
Currently, she is also a Collaborating Expert at the EMA, focusing on training development for academia in scientific advice and ATMP (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products) development, having previously served as an Academia Liaison at the EMA.
Dan O’Connor
Director of Regulatory Policy and Early Access, Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry
Dan was the Deputy Director of the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)’s Innovation Accelerator with special interests in rare diseases, early access, health innovation, drug repurposing and patient-reported outcomes and engagement. Dan is currently Director, Regulatory Policy & Early Access at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
Dan is a Leicester medical graduate with a background in cancer research, histopathology and oncology. His PhD in the field of tumour suppressor genes was awarded from Imperial College London and he holds an MSc in Oncology from the Institute of Cancer Research. He completed higher medical training in the UK in Pharmaceutical Medicine.
Who should apply to the programme
We are looking for you
The ideal candidate:
- Early career principle investigators who are currently leading or hoping to lead a drug repurposing project
- Researchers in the early stages of their repurposing project, possibly with an idea or hypothesis, wanting to access funding and collaborator support
- Works with a REMEDi4ALL affiliated organisation primarily based in the UK/EU
- Willing to engage in collaborative learning experiences, stimulating discussions and networking opportunities with other stakeholders involved in the drug repurposing field
Eligibility and Funding
REMEDi4ALL covers:
- Entire cost of the training course for all participants (20 places available)
- Travel
- One night’s accommodation
- Meals (Please let us know of any dietary requirements via the application form.)
Registrations open now!
Hinxton Hall, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
The Wellcome Genome Campus is home to some of the world’s foremost institutes and organisations in genomics and computational biology, committed to delivering life-changing science.
Hinxton Hall
Wellcome Genome Campus
Hinxton, Cambridge
United Kingdom
CB10 1RQ
The nearest train station to the venue is Great Chesterford which can be reached via direct train from London Liverpool Street and Cambridge. There will be a free bus service running from Great Chesterford train station to the venue (details to follow).
Travelling via Cambridge? There are direct trains that run to Cambridge from London Liverpool Street, London Kings Cross and Peterborough.
There are a number of parking spaces available at Hinxton Hall Conference Centre. Please let us know via the application form if you will require to park on site.
REMEDi4ALL Partners & Associated partners
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