Concept Life Sciences Wins SCI-RSC National Retrosynthesis Competition

For over 25 years, chemists at Concept Life Sciences have deployed considerable expertise in synthesis to access uncharted chemical space and enable SAR investigations critical to clients’ drug discovery projects. Demonstrating the skill of the team, Concept Life Sciences is delighted to announce that its team of chemists has won the SCI–RSC National Retrosynthesis Competition, after reaching the final for the seventh time in the past ten years.

The prestigious competition brought together ten finalist teams who demonstrated their expertise in synthetic organic chemistry by proposing and presenting a novel synthetic route to a complex small molecule. The event was judged by some of the UK’s leading synthetic chemists from across academia and industry.

This year’s winning team, Yannic Werling, Ryan Inwood, Eric Harris, Robert Starley, Jerico Piper and Robin May, impressed the judges with their efficient route, which avoided unproductive protecting group manipulations. The key step was the use of an azanorbornene Petasis reaction to install a chiral amine that directed a subsequent dihydroxylation setting three contiguous stereogenic centres.

On behalf of the team, Ryan Inwood had this to say:

“Over the last few years attending the final, we’ve got to know some of our rivals from across the UK – we know how good they are. To win the competition is a superb achievement for all involved!”

Reaching the final so consistently, and now securing the win, reflects Concept Life Sciences’ commitment to continuous improvement and its scientific teams' unwavering enthusiasm, perseverance and excellence in synthetic organic chemistry. 

About Concept Life Sciences

Concept Life Sciences is a leading contract research organisation (CRO) serving the global life sciences industry. For over 25 years, the company, and its heritage companies, have provided consultative and collaborative drug discovery and development services. Our approach, supported by passionate scientists and world-leading capabilities, enables clients to overcome complex scientific challenges across a broad range of therapeutic areas, improving program success rates. The company has successfully helped 29 candidates advance to the clinic.

Find out more: Concept Life Sciences | Expert Drug Discovery CRO