Job Shadowing Programme of the GDCh Division of Medicinal Chemistry

In 2022, the NextGenMedChem Group of the GDCh Division of Medicinal Chemistry invited all poster awardees of the Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry conference to a Job Shadowing Event for the first time. Due to the positive response, this offering was added to the Division's permanent events programme; the event is generally organised by industrial members of the NextGenMedChem Group. The event gives early-career researchers an insight into the day-to-day work of a medicinal chemist in industry.

In 2026, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Sanofi, Frankfurt am Main, Germany hosted a job-shadowing experience for the winners of the FiMC 2026 Poster Prize.

The first day took place at Merck KGaA in Darmstadt. The students began with an inspiring tour of the automation laboratories within the Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design department. This was followed by a working lunch with laboratory heads from a range of functions, including Medicinal Chemistry, DMPK, Discovery Pharmacology, Automation Chemistry, and ADC Chemistry.

During this highly interactive session, the experts shared their individual career journeys, described their day-to-day responsibilities, and offered valuable insights into the diverse opportunities available in pharmaceutical research and development.

The programme continued with a visit to the proteomics laboratory, followed by guided tours of the dispensary, the high-throughput laboratory, and the internal compound pool storage facility. These visits gave the students an engaging behind-the-scenes look at the technologies, processes, and collaborative work that support drug discovery.

In the evening, colleagues from Sanofi joined the group for a lively networking dinner. It was an excellent opportunity for the students to exchange ideas, ask questions, and connect with professionals from both organisations in a relaxed atmosphere.

The second day of the job-shadowing experience was hosted by Sanofi in Frankfurt am Main, opening with a presentation offering a candid look at the Day in the Life of a Medicinal Chemist. Throughout the day, students were guided through the full DMTA (Design-Make-Test-Analyse) cycle, gaining a comprehensive understanding of how compounds are conceived, optimised, and tested through the early stages of drug discovery.

The day's programme included visits to the In Vitro Biology laboratories, as well as tours of the Integrated Design and Automated Chemistry facilities. A particular highlight was the opportunity to experience how Sanofi's scientists design and visualise compounds using virtual reality technology within the Synthetic Molecular Design team — a striking demonstration of how cutting-edge digital tools are being integrated into modern drug discovery workflows. The visit also introduced students to a distinct and highly specialised area of pharmaceutical research, isotope chemistry, offering a fascinating perspective on the breadth of chemistry disciplines that contribute to the development of new medicines. The day concluded with an engaging round-table discussion, where the students asked their burning questions about applications, interviews, and careers in pharmaceutical chemistry.

On behalf of Merck KGaA and Sanofi, it was a privilege to welcome such talented and motivated young scientists. We extend our congratulations once again to all of the FiMC 2026 Poster Prize winners!