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The discovery of novel bioactive compounds for the development of original drugs is of high importance, and peptides represent a class of molecules with a huge potential that have not yet been deeply investigated. Therapeutic peptides and peptide-like compounds have shown great promise in treating various major health problems including pain, hypertension, haemostasis, and inflammatory and infectious diseases. Bioactive peptides are particularly abundant in nature and most of them can be grouped into three major families: peptidic hormones, toxins and antimicrobial peptides. Although closely related, there is surprisingly little interaction among these three areas. One of the primary goals of this first NP2D congress is to bring together worldwide leading experts from these fields.

This meeting will highlight novel R&D strategies in areas such as proteomics and will cover the most exciting recent developments related to: discovery programs, molecular characterisation, target receptor identification, peptide-receptor mapping, molecular pharmacology, structure-function studies and protein engineering.

Topics will also include design and optimisation of lead compounds to pre-clinical and clinical development, drug targeting, innovative drug delivery systems, and large-scale production of synthetic or recombinant peptides. Intellectual property rights, regulatory hurdles and ethical issues related to the biodiversity will also be addressed. Furthermore, a roundtable discussion will be organised to debate controversial aspects of peptide drugs such as production costs, immunogenicity, specificity, stability, tissue distribution and toxicity.

This original approach to the various aspects of natural peptides with therapeutic potential is aimed at stimulating the valorisation of complementarities and at generating opportunities for multidisciplinary interactions. Outstanding worldwide scientists of diverse specialities and eager to discuss all aspects of their research will attend this unprecedented event.