ACCORD 2026: Interdisciplinary cooperation drives innovation

One person stands next to a scientific poster presentation board and poses for a photo. Another person in the foreground holds a smartphone and takes the picture. The poster contains charts, diagrams, and scientific text. In the background, a staircase and another person walking are visible.

The third edition of the Interdisciplinary Conference on Drug Sciences – ACCORD has come to a close. This year's motto "The sky is the limit" fully reflects the nature of the event. ACCORD has once again demonstrated that science knows no bounds, and that boldly combining different fields accelerates the development of research into new drugs and innovative therapies.

The event held on May 27-29 was organized by the Faculty of Pharmacy WUM in cooperation with the Warsaw branch of the Polish Pharmaceutical Society.

"ACCORD has become more than a conference. It is a platform connecting the academy, industry, clinicians, innovators and, above all, young scientists," said Prof. Przemysław Dorożyński from the Chair and Department of Drug Technology and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, the chairman of the scientific committee of the conference. "It is a space where ideas meet opportunities, where cooperation begins, and where science translates into real results.”

This year's event brought together nearly 200 participants from around the world – representing academia as well as the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and chemical sectors.

Pharmacy as the foundation of a modern healthcare system

"Modern pharmacy does not only support medicine. It is one of the strategic pillars of healthcare," emphasized the Rector of the WUM, Prof. Rafał Krenke. "The events of recent years have clearly shown that without advanced pharmaceutical technologies, a strong biotechnology sector and resilient supply chains, it is simply impossible to develop a stable and reliable healthcare system."

The Rector noted that the discipline of pharmaceutical sciences offered by the Faculty of Pharmacy of our university received a high Category A rating in the most recent ministerial evaluation. This is a clear proof that academic passion translates into real innovation.

"However, science cannot develop in isolation. In the modern world, success is shaped at the intersection of three fundamental pillars: interdisciplinarity, digitalization and industrial partnerships," added Professor Krenke.

Synergy between these areas is the only guarantee that innovative solutions will effectively support the treatment of patients.

100 years of traditions that shape the future of pharmacy

The ACCORD conference takes place in a year which is important for the entire community of our university – in 2026, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Faculty of Pharmacy.

"During these years, the faculty has educated many generations of pharmacists who have left a significant and lasting mark in pharmaceutical sciences," noted Prof. Piotr Luliński, the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy.

Today, the faculty is a leading scientific center where high-quality research is carried out.

"Our scientists conduct many important research projects and publish in prestigious Polish and foreign scientific journals. I hope that during this conference you will see this for yourselves," said the Dean.

Award for outstanding achievement in drug research

The presentation of Professor Stanisław Biniecki Award is an important element of the conference. Professor Maciej Dawidowski, the chairman of the international Committee considering applications for the award, noted that Professor Biniecki was not only a great scientist, the developer of two original drugs: gapicomine citrate and todralazine hydrochloride, but also had a huge impact on shaping our faculty and Polish science.

This year's award went to Dr Dawid Panek from the Jagiellonian University, who was distinguished for his preclinical research on new substances with potential action in the treatment of central nervous system disorders.

"It's a great honor for which I am extremely grateful. Especially, since the award is named after a great scientist whose achievements and work inspired numerous researchers involved in the search for new medicines," thanked Dr Panek, receiving the award from the Rector and the Dean.

Interesting lectures, inspiring presentations, important discussions

The participants of the event could participate in:

lectures by speakers from renowned academic centersfrom the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Denmark, the United States, Finland (https://accord.wum.edu.pl/keynote-speakers/). There were 12 lectures, including speeches by our experts: Prof. Joanna Kolmas, Prof. Jakub Piwowarski, Prof. Maciej Dawidowski, Prof. Monika Czerwińska, Prof. Przemysław Dorożyński;
short oral presentations showcasing the scientific achievements of young researchers;
a panel discussion featuring renowned experts;
poster sessions, in which 112 works by young researchers were presented;
sponsored lectures and the expo zone.

Awards for Young Scientists

Rewarding the authors of the best posters is the tradition of the conference. In this edition, the following authors were recognized:

Kacper Kossakowski for "Blocking is the Past, Degradation is the Future: A New Direction for the (R)evolution of Cyclooxygenase-2 Targeted Drug Design"
Magda MT. Góis for "Targeting Retinoic Acid and Vitamin D Receptors to Enhance Chemotherapy Outcomes in Triple Negative Breast Cancer"
Anna Wójtowicz for "Dose-controlled delivery of an antiinflammatory agent via multiple emulsions for radiotherapy-induced skin damage"
Alicja Kacprzak for "Mechanosynthesis: a Sustainable Way to Obtain Antipoxviral Drug Tecovirimat on a Multigram Scale"
Maja Marku for "Analysis of immunoreactivity and expression of E-cadherin and p38 MAPK in prostate cancer"
Agnes Graf for "Decoupled Physical and Chemical Stability in Vitamin D₂ and D₃ Amorphous Solid Dispersions Prepared by Spray Drying and Ball Milling"
Katarzyna Łukowiak for "Macroalgal Bioactives Extracted via Supercritical CO₂ for Green Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications"

The award of the Polish Society of Medicinal Chemistry for the best poster in the field of medicinal chemistry went to Michał Kamiński for "Novel thienopyrimidine-based dually acting 5-HT3/5-HT6 receptor antagonists with cytoprotective effect in human astrocytes".

Distinctions were received by: Martyna Mysłek for "Design, Synthesis, and In Silico Evaluation of Quinoline Derivatives as Potential Topoisomerase I and Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors" and Mayur Kadam for "Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Side-Chain- and A-Ring Modified Vitamin D Analogues".

Support that underscores the importance

The conference was held under the patronage of: the Rector of WUM, the Mayor of the Capital City of Warsaw, the President of the Foundation for Polish Science, the National Centre for Research and Development, Polish Pharmaceutical Society, National Medicines Institute. Such a noble group confirms the importance of the conference as a space for the exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in determining the directions of the development of pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences.

One person stands at a lectern marked with the inscription “VERITATIS SPLENDOR” and speaks into two microphones. On the lectern there are two bottles of water and a glass. Behind, a large screen displays the text “SKY IS THE LIMIT,” and stage elements including a monitor and seating are visible.

Several people sit in rows of red auditorium seats and face forward, listening attentively. Some wear lanyards and hold notebooks or devices. In the foreground, one person uses a laptop. The background shows additional rows of seating and a lecture hall interior.

One person stands at a lectern with the inscription “VERITATIS SPLENDOR” and speaks into microphones. Two bottles of water and a glass are placed on the lectern. Behind, a large screen displays the logos of the Medical University of Warsaw and the Faculty of Pharmacy, along with the text “100 lat Wydziału Farmaceutycznego WUM 1920–2020.” Another person sits at a desk to the side. The background features a large projection screen and vertical wall panels.

One person stands at the same lectern labeled “VERITATIS SPLENDOR” and speaks into microphones. Two green bottles of water and a glass are placed on the lectern. A computer monitor is positioned to the side. In the background, part of a large projection screen with university logos and text related to the Faculty of Pharmacy is visible.

One person stands at a lectern with the inscription “VERITATIS SPLENDOR” and speaks into two microphones. Two green bottles of water and a glass stand on the lectern. Behind, a large screen displays the word “BINECKI” along with a scientific-style graphic.

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One person stands at a lectern marked “VERITATIS SPLENDOR” and speaks into microphones while looking toward a large screen. The screen shows a diagram of a synapse with labeled elements including “AChE/BuChE inhibitors.” Another person sits behind at a desk with a laptop.

Several people stand and talk in a bright indoor hall next to a large conference poster on a stand. The poster displays the title “ACCORD Interdisciplinary Conference on Drug Sciences” and the slogan “SKY IS THE LIMIT,” along with the location “Warsaw” and the date “May 27–29, 2026.” On the right side, a tall blue banner shows the text “Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny” and a white emblem. In the background, more people move through the exhibition space with tables and displays.

Three people stand in front of scientific poster boards and engage in conversation. One of the poster titles reads “Decoupled Physical and Chemical Stability in Vitamin D3 and D2 Amorphous Solid Dispersions Prepared by Spray Drying and Ball Milling,” with visible sections such as “Objectives” and “Results,” including charts and diagrams. The space is a conference poster area with multiple boards arranged in rows and other attendees in the background.

A large group of people stands outside a building for a group photo. Above the entrance, large letters spell “CENTRUM DYDAKTYCZNE,” and above that is a circular emblem with an eagle and surrounding text. Many individuals wear badges on lanyards, and some hold white bags. The building façade features green-framed windows and a red-brown exterior, and the group is arranged on steps in front of the entrance.

Three people sit on a stage in armchairs during a panel discussion. One person in the center holds a handheld microphone and speaks. On a small table in front of them are bottles of water, a glass, and a nameplate. Behind them, large standing banners display laboratory equipment and company names, including “METTLER TOLEDO” and “CEMIS-TECH.”

A panel discussion takes place in a lecture hall with several people seated in a row of chairs on stage. One person speaks into a microphone while others listen. In front of the stage, an audience sits in red auditorium seats, and a video camera on a tripod records the event. Two tall banners behind the panel show images of laboratory equipment and company branding.

One person sits in an armchair and speaks into a handheld microphone while holding a pen and a document. A conference badge on a lanyard hangs around the neck. The background shows wooden panels and part of the lecture hall stage.

One person sits in an armchair on stage and holds a handheld microphone in one hand and a notepad on their lap. The person gestures with the other hand while speaking. A bottle of water and a glass stand on a small table nearby. The background consists of wooden wall panels.

One person stands and speaks into a handheld microphone, holding it with both hands. A computer monitor is positioned behind near a lectern. The background shows part of a projection screen and wooden elements of the lecture hall.

Four people stand side by side on stage for a photo. One holds a red notebook and another holds a blue folder. Behind them, a large screen displays the text “ACCORD Interdisciplinary Conference on Drug Sciences” along with the logos of the Medical University of Warsaw and the Faculty of Pharmacy.

A wide view shows a lecture hall with rows of red auditorium seats arranged in tiers leading down to a stage. On the left wall, numerous framed black-and-white portraits are arranged in a grid. At the front, a large projection screen displays a graphic with the text “SKY IS THE LIMIT,” showing a bright abstract light pattern. Several people sit scattered throughout the seats, some using laptops or looking toward the stage. Near the front, a few individuals stand and move around the lectern and desk area.