Yearbook2018

EFMC-ASMC 2017
REPORT 17
With more than 500 scientists coming from
over 50 different nations, the 7th edition of the
EFMC International Symposium on Advances
in Synthetic and Medicinal Chemistry (EFMC-
ASMC’17, held at the University of Vienna,
was an impressive success.
EFMC-ASMC’17 was jointly organized by the
European Federation for Medicinal Chemistry
(EFMC), the Medicinal Chemistry Section of
the Austrian Chemical Society (GÖCH) and
ChemBridge Corporation. The high quality
programme - compiled by two remarkable
Symposium Chairs: Erick Carreira (ETH
Zürich, CH) and Karin Briner (Novartis, US) –
together with the attractiveness of Vienna, led
to a very successful symposium, whose aim
is to bring together Organic and Medicinal
Chemistry.
by a full day of interesting talks, given by
prominent scientists and rising stars in both
Organic and Medicinal Chemistry – among
those were Freek Janssen (Leiden University,
NL) who won the presentation competition
during the 3 rd edition of the Young Medicinal
Chemist Symposium (EFMC-YMCS 2016).
The following days were again the occasion
to hear great talks, and to congratulate the
winners and runners-up of the EFMC Prize
for a Young Medicinal Chemist in Academia,
and the EFMC Prize for a Young Medicinal
Chemist in Industry.
The Symposium was closed by the lecture of
Véronique Gouverneur (University of Oxford,
UK) and the poster prize ceremony, where 5
talented chemists received an EFMC Poster
Prize.
EFMC YEARBOOK 2018
The symposium focused on the most recent
advances in new synthetic methodologies,
total synthesis, fluorination approaches,
bioisosteres and building blocks, chemical
biology, medicinal chemistry, drug discovery
and development leading to new or improved
methods for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals.
Beyond key lectures in synthetic and
fluorination chemistry, as well as recent case
studies in medicinal chemistry and drug
discovery, the symposium aims at bridging
the range from ‘small molecules’ to ‘large
molecules’ including carbohydrates, natural
products, novel protein scaffolds and genes;
it is expected to attract experts in synthetic
chemistry, medicinal chemistry, total synthesis,
catalysis, drug discovery, molecular imaging,
and chemical development.
The Opening lecture, given by Dirk Trauner
(New York University, US) was the start of a
five day symposium with many scientific highlights,
26 speakers, 10 oral communications,
238 poster presentations, 19 exhibitors and
11 sponsors.
The second day was opened by the lecture
of James E. Bradner (Novartis, US) followed
The scientific programme was complemented
by an entertaining social programme. Vienna,
often described as Europe’s cultural capital,
is a metropolis with unique charm, vibrancy
and flair. Vienna, the capital of Austria, lies
on the banks of the Danube River in a valley
protected by the foothills of the Alps. The city
is organised into 23 districts, which (roughly)
spiral clockwise around the first district, the
old city limits. Most of the city’s landmarks are
located inside the Ringstrasse, a grand boulevard
that replaced the city wall. The influx
of visitors from all over the world has made
Vienna the most popular urban tourist destination
in Austria.
Vienna can also be considered as the
world capital of music, home to numerous
opera, operetta and musical composers.
Music lovers are attracted to Vienna. With
a musical heritage that knows no equal, the
Viennese are justly proud of their city’s major
performance venues.
Interested participants could learn more about
the architecture and imperial history of the
city with a bus tour and a visit of the Imperial
Summer Palace of Schönbrunn, while some