On the morning of April 20th, the 2nd "Tongji Pharmaceutical Summit Forum" jointly initiated by the School of Pharmacy and the Department of Pharmacy of Tongji Hospital was successfully held in the Academic Lecture Hall of the School of Pharmacy. The forum was co-moderated by Professor Dong Liu and Professor Hua Li. Speakers include Professor Mingwei Wang (Director of National Center for New Drug Screening/National Compound Sample Bank), Professor Xuechu Zhen (Dean of School of Pharmacy, Soochow University), Professor Di Zhu (School of Pharmacy, Fudan University). Dean Yonghui Zhang, Vice Dean Rui Huang, Professor Ming Xiang, Professor Zhiping Zhang, and Professor Lili Lu of School of Pharmacy attended the forum. Postgraduates and undergraduates took an active part in the forum.

The topic of Professor Wang's presentation was " Small molecule agonist of class B GPCR—build on the past and make progress". He first introduced the discovery of the first non-peptide type B GPCR agonist, BOC5.Then, we share the story of obtaining seven transmembrane region protein crystals of human glucagon receptor with a resolution of 3.4 angstroms, and constructing the relevant molecular recognition model for drug screening and pharmacological research. Finally, Professor Wang pointed out the advantages and application prospects of cryo-electron microscopy technology in pharmacological research from a strategic perspective, and answered all the questions of teachers and students present.

The topic of Professor Zhen's presentation was "Drug Development for Targeting Inflammatory Diseases of the Nervous System". He introduced the discovery of metformin threonate derivatives and small molecule inhibitors of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) for the treatment of cerebral infarction. Professor Zhen pointed out that "scientific research can only be meaningful if it is combined with clinical practice", which explained the profound connotation of "writing papers on the land of the motherland" belonging to pharmaceutical researchers. This viewpoint aroused wide resonance among the teachers and students present.

Professor Zhu Di gave a presentation on "Pharmacological Research and New Drug Development of Targeting Tumor Immune Microenvironment". He presented his group's research on the important role of Wnt in tumor immune microenvironment, including the discovery and study of the first cancer-specific peptide SAH-BCL9 (Wnt inhibitor) and the study of hsBCL9ct24, an inhibitor targeting the β-catenin/BCL9 complex. In addition, he introduced his research on CyPA-CD147 signaling pathway, PD-L1-related small molecule inhibitors, and CAR-T targeting AXL protein in solid tumors. The content, ideas and methods presented by Professor Zhu were innovative and specific, which aroused heated discussion among teachers and students.

This forum has broadened the horizon of teachers and students of our college, and also deepened our understanding of scientific research hotspots. We will take this anniversary as an opportunity, closely combined with the national major strategic needs, efforts to forge ahead, and promote the School of Pharmacy to achieve greater breakthroughs in the field of new drug research and development.