The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) and UCB Biopharma presented the 3rd UCB Lecture Award to Professor Tobias Ritter, recognising his contributions to the field of chemistry. The award honours a scientist whose work has significantly advanced chemical research and its applications.
Professor Ritter, director at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung and faculty member at RWTH Aachen and Massachusetts General Hospital, delivered a lecture entitled “Late-Stage Functionalizations”. His talk addressed chemoselective reactions for modifying complex molecules and reviewed their relevance in areas such as drug and agrochemical development, protein modification, and the synthesis of positron-emission tomography (PET) tracers. He also discussed recent developments in C–H thianthrenation and the broader implications of thianthrenium chemistry for catalysis and medicine.
The programme included a presentation by Dr Riccardo di Sanza of UCB, who outlined his career path and offered an overview of the company’s drug discovery process, from target identification to clinical trials. His talk emphasised the multidisciplinary nature of contemporary pharmaceutical research.
For the first time, the event incorporated a poster session aimed at increasing the participation of the local scientific community and fostering interaction between researchers and the invited speakers.
Professor Marcos García Suero, ICIQ group leader and promoter of the initiative, stated: “This event has become an important platform for celebrating scientific excellence while creating meaningful exchanges between academia and industry. Each edition brings new opportunities for dialogue and collaboration.”
The third edition of the UCB Lecture Award reinforces the ongoing partnership between ICIQ and UCB Biopharma and continues to highlight leading international research in chemistry.
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