Day 1 - June 9

Lectio Magistralis
Fernando Albericio – University of KwaZulu-Nata and University of Barcelona

Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS): Integrating Resins, Protecting Groups, and Coupling Reagents in an Optimal Solvent
Between 2016 and 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 33 peptides, accounting for 8.1% of all drugs authorized during this period. The structural characteristics of these peptides differ significantly from those approved in earlier years. Modern peptides often feature (bi)cyclic structures, increased molecular size, non-proteinogenic amino acids, and modifications such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or fatty acid conjugation. Additionally, the large-scale production of some peptides, often requiring multi-kilogram quantities, presents significant manufacturing challenges. 
The widespread availability of peptide therapeutics today would not have been possible without the ground-breaking work of Nobel laureate R. Bruce Merrifield, who pioneered Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS) in the 1960s. Since its inceptio ...