Our work in drug discovery

Our drug discovery and early clinical development organisation is responsible for all drug discovery and early clinical development projects across our key therapeutic areas, from idea generation to clinical proof of concept. As a global organisation and across two major research hubs in Europe and in the US, our scientists work together daily to discover transformational medicines that will benefit patients.

We discover new medicines by working with:

• A strong focus on disease biology within our therapeutic areas; Reproductive Medicine & Maternal Health, Gastroenterology & Immunology, Microbiome and Uro-oncology   
• Emphasis on common platforms small molecules & biologics
• Mechanistic understanding of dysbiosis and host-microbiome interaction

Pioneering the best science has a long tradition within Ferring, our founders, Dr Eva Paulsen and Dr Frederik Paulsen have shaped Ferring from the start in the 1950’s with the determination to utilise the best science to develop the most innovative treatments for patients. Today, Ferring continues to build on that philosophy with internal capabilities and excellence in drug discovery and development. Ferring also has a strong effort in seeking out the most promising external opportunities in the biotech eco-system, and a long-standing commitment in collaborating with academia around the globe. Our external innovation team consists of dedicated scientists that carefully assess each opportunity and the importance of a mutual scientific conversation is key to us.

Meet Araz Raoof, President of Ferring Research Institute and Senior Vice-President Global Drug Discovery & External Innovation

Our global drug discovery presence

Our main R&D sites are in San Diego in the US and Copenhagen in Denmark, and a satellite in Be’er Tuvia, Israel. We work together with expertise, scientific rigor, dedication and passion towards our mission of discovering transformational medicines.

Our sites work with dedication and passion on discovery projects. They are designed and equipped to provide the best environment for the collaborative and creative process that discovery and development of innovative medicines requires.

We continuously work with both well established and cutting-edge technology platforms that provide us with the methods and processes to enhance our endeavors to deliver treatments to patients.

Copenhagen, International Pharma Center

Copenhagen is one of our main research and development sites. This site houses our bioanalysis, discovery biotherapeutics and immunology laboratories. It is a site for innovation, idea generation and screening of novel antibodies and serves as center of excellence for immunology science throughout Ferring.

Our early clinical development teams, including clinical pharmacology and pharmacokinetics are also based in Copenhagen.

From October 2021 our scientists will work from our new Copenhagen R&D hub overlooking the Øresund strait.

San Diego, Ferring Research Institute

The Ferring Research Institute is our key research centre for early research and development. Here our scientists work on small molecule and peptide drug discovery, from new target identification up until early drug development phases.

The site houses scientists focusing on applying AI/Machine learning to identify novel targets, discovery chemists and biologists.

In San Diego, Ferring has built up a research-focused R&D hub in the Sorrento Valley area.

BTG, Manufacturing and Research & Development

At our research hub in Israel, our scientists focus on biotechnology techniques that are utilized to generate engineered biological molecules, microorganisms and cells, transgenic animals or plants.

Bio-Technology General (BTG), a Ferring company focuses on harnessing the power of biotechnology to build better, safer and essential biologics to improve patients’ lives.

In Be’er Tuvia Israel, Ferring has built up a R&D hub that focuses on science-based innovation.

Understanding the journey

To discover innovative treatments that improve patients’ lives, our scientists work at the frontiers of discovery. To understand disease biology and how to target molecular mechanisms driving pathophysiology is core to our business. At Ferring and within drug discovery we are working in a well-defined framework for developing new drugs.

Research-driven science

The journey from understanding the underlying biology of a disease, the discovery of a new molecule to target this, and all the way to the commercialisation of a new drug is a long and challenging road.

Areas that we are exploring

Artificial intelligence (applications for new target ID, meta omic data analysis, etc.)

Target validation & Gene editing tools

New chemical & biological libraries

Translational microbiome models/ tools

At Ferring, the foundation of discovering innovative medicine is a science-based approach. To ensure future success of our discovery processes, we continuously strengthen our capabilities and investing in emerging technologies across our scientific areas. Including microbiome-host interactions, artificial intelligence, and gene editing tools, to be able to take the next steps into the future.