Catalyzeacademic discoveries that drive therapeutic innovation | Mobilizethe expertise and infrastructure needed for translation | Cultivatethe next generation of drug hunters and entrepreneurs |
CMC researchers work across disciplines and with collaborators throughout UofT and the Greater Toronto Area to create new therapeutic opportunities from biomedical discoveries. By integrating expertise in computation, chemistry, biophysics, cell biology, and animal models, we create rapid feedback between molecular design, synthesis and biological testing. This cross-disciplinary approach accelerates the development of chemical probes and potential therapeutics.
CMC researchers have particular expertise in classically “undruggable” targets, including dynamic proteins, RNA, and their specific interactions, and in the development of specialized small-molecule libraries tailored to these challenging targets. Current areas of therapeutic interest include cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, rare genetic diseases, and infectious diseases.
CMC provides the expertise and infrastructure needed to advance promising discoveries through the critical stages of early drug discovery, from initial hits through lead optimization and preclinical development.
We integrate complementary capabilities under one roof, from computational design and chemical synthesis to biophysical characterization, cellular testing, proteomics and preclinical studies. CMC also works with partner programs across UofT and the Greater Toronto Area, drawing on complementary expertise and infrastructure to move each project forward as efficiently as possible.
CMC invests in the future of drug discovery by developing the next generation of drug hunters and entrepreneurs who can work across disciplines. Our programs begin with high-school outreach and undergraduate opportunities in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery and extend through graduate and postdoctoral training.
Trainees gain exposure to disciplines across the drug-discovery pathway while developing skills in scientific collaboration, translation, and entrepreneurship. Programming includes research-in-progress seminars, specialized courses and workshops, and the annual CMC Symposium.