BIO4 Campus hosted another Mini Minglarijum session focused on one of the most complex and high-impact areas in biotechnology: how new medicines are discovered and developed — from initial molecule identification to final product.

The session brought together researchers, students, and industry representatives for a practical discussion led by Dr. Bojan Bondžić and Dr. Dejan Opsenica from the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade. The conversation centered on the realities of drug discovery in Serbia — the scientific challenges, recent breakthroughs, and the opportunities that exist within the local ecosystem.

The path from lab to market

Dr. Bondžić and Dr. Opsenica walked participants through the drug discovery process, highlighting where Serbian institutions already have strong capabilities and where collaboration with industry, clinical partners, and international networks becomes essential. The discussion addressed both the scientific and structural questions: What does it take to move from a promising compound to a validated therapeutic candidate? Where do bottlenecks occur? And how can local expertise be better connected to translate research into tangible health outcomes?

Building toward local capacity

One theme emerged clearly: bringing together the right people and institutions today could move Serbia closer to developing and producing medicines domestically — a goal that requires not only scientific expertise but also strategic alignment across research, regulation, funding, and manufacturing.

Mini Minglarijum serves exactly this purpose — connecting experts across disciplines, sparking collaboration, and creating space for local talent to engage confidently with the global biotech landscape. Each session strengthens the network that will support Serbia's long-term positioning in life sciences innovation.

The series continues to provide an informal yet focused platform for BIO4 tenants, university partners, and the broader research community to share knowledge and explore opportunities for collaboration.