Innovations in Chemical Biology–Driven Drug R&D: Discovery, Targets, and Delivery

Academia and both large and small industry come together at the II Drug R&D, conference in San Diego on February 23-25, 2026 to explore partnership opportunities and remain at the forefront of innovative technologies. These advances are reshaping how therapeutics are discovered, characterized, and delivered across modalities. The topic spans chemical biology investigations of drug research, including small molecules, biologics, combination products, connected devices, and cell and gene delivery, among others.This Research Topic highlights cutting-edge strategies in chemical biology–driven drug research and development across modalities, including small molecules, biologics, combination products, connected devices, and cell and gene delivery approaches. The collection explores how chemical innovation, novel biological targets, advanced target identification and validation, and next-generation delivery methods can be combined to accelerate therapeutic progress. We welcome contributions spanning diverse drug types and biological/biomedical systems, provided they include a clear chemical biology component. Our goal is to showcase how interdisciplinary work at the interface of synthetic chemistry, chemical biology, advanced biological techniques, and medicine can address key hurdles in drug development and enable the next generation of improved therapeutics.We welcome original research articles, breif research reports, reviews, minireviews, and perspectives on topics including, but not limited to:• Discovery and synthesis of new drugs• Identification and validation of drug targets• Mechanisms of resistance and chemical and biological strategies to overcome them• Chemical probes, activity-based profiling, and inhibitors for studying drug mechanisms of action• Advances to study drug mechanisms to further develop drug• Case studies integrating synthetic chemistry and biological evaluationResearchers with expertise in medicinal chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, chemical biology, various biological disciplines, and related fields are encouraged to contribute. Topic editors: Urszula Katarzyna Komarnicka, Antonello Merlino Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77329/innovations-in-chemical-biology-driven-drug-rd-discovery-targets-and-delivery