Independent Drug-Discovery ConsultancyVienna, Austria · International
Forster Discovery
forstering better molecules

Independent expertise for better drug-discovery decisions.

Forster Discovery is an independent consultancy supporting biotech teams, founders, investors and R&D organisations across medicinal chemistry, computational drug design, synthetic strategy, targeted protein degradation and outsourced R&D.

Better compound choices. Practical synthetic routes. Clearer program decisions.

Core services

Practical support where chemistry decisions matter most.

Engagements are built around concrete technical decisions — from compound prioritisation to route strategy, outsourced-program steering and independent diligence.

Medicinal Chemistry & SAR Reviews

Data-package review, compound prioritisation, design recommendations and DMPK-informed decision support.

Fractional Chemistry Leadership

Recurring chemistry support for virtual and small biotech teams without an experienced internal chemistry lead.

TPD / Molecular-Glue Strategy

Mechanistic and chemistry-oriented program assessment for targeted protein degradation and molecular-glue projects.

Route Development & Synthetic Strategy

Synthetic-route design, feasibility, scale-up risk assessment, CRO/CDMO briefing and troubleshooting.

CRO / CDMO Strategy & Oversight

Technical briefing, communication, prioritisation and problem-solving across outsourced chemistry programs.

Technical Due Diligence

Independent scientific review for founders, investors, boards and prospective partners.

DeliverablesChemistry assessment / decision memo · compound and experiment prioritisation · route options and development-risk assessment · CRO/CDMO brief or technical review · independent due-diligence or second-opinion report
Why Forster Discovery

Chemistry thinking that connects design, synthesis and execution.

Independent scientific input that helps drug-discovery teams make better technical decisions and act on them.

01

Medicinal chemistry + route development

Compound design considered together with synthetic feasibility, route robustness and practical execution.

02

Drug-discovery breadth

SAR, DMPK interpretation, CADD/RDKit/Python and TPD / molecular-glue experience brought into the same decision.

03

Biotech + CRO perspective

Experience on both sides of outsourced R&D supports sharper briefs, better prioritisation and more productive external partnerships.

04

Independent assessment

A technically grounded view for teams, investors and boards that is separate from the vendor or internal project narrative.

Experience behind the advice

Industry chemistry, route development, outsourced R&D and computational design.

PhD chemist with experience across biotech, CROs and academic research, including medicinal chemistry, TPD / molecular glues, synthetic route development, CRO leadership, structure-based design and IP.

Drug discovery

Medicinal-chemistry campaigns from compound design and SAR through ADME/DMPK and in vivo PK selection, supported by structure-based and advanced computational modelling.

Route & synthesis

Multistep synthesis, route design, troubleshooting and process-oriented chemistry across internal and contract settings.

External R&D

Scientific oversight of global CRO chemistry teams and technical steering of outsourced discovery work.

Track record

Co-inventor on six published patent families, with peer-reviewed publications and invited scientific presentations.

Engagement models

Support matched to the decision, project or program.

Scope and fees are agreed according to project complexity, required depth and duration.

Focused review

One defined scientific question.

A bounded review with analysis, prioritisation and a concrete decision-oriented output.

Project mandate

Time-bounded specialist support.

For medicinal chemistry, route development, program assessment or CRO/CDMO challenges with a defined scope.

Fractional chemistry leadership

Ongoing chemistry leadership.

Recurring program reviews, design input, prioritisation and outsourced-R&D oversight without a permanent hire.

Technical due diligence

Independent assessment for major decisions.

Scientific review for investors, venture teams, boards, founders, licensing discussions or prospective partners.

Who I work with

Independent chemistry input for organisations making drug-discovery decisions.

Support can sit alongside internal biology, external chemistry, investment diligence or portfolio decision-making.

Biotech founders & CSOs

For programs that need experienced chemistry input without immediately building a larger internal chemistry function.

Biology & program teams

For teams deciding what to make next, how to interpret SAR / DMPK, or how to translate biology into a practical chemistry plan.

Investors & venture builders

Independent assessment of chemistry quality, synthetic feasibility, program risk and the credibility of the proposed development path.

Boards, BD & licensing teams

Technical input around partnering, licensing, program review, external-R&D strategy or major portfolio decisions.

Start with the decision in front of you

Need an independent chemistry view on your next program decision?

A first conversation can clarify the scientific question, the right scope and whether a focused review, project mandate, fractional engagement or diligence assignment is the best fit.

Dr. Francis ForsterForster Discovery · Independent drug-discovery consultancyVienna, Austria · working internationallyLinkedIn profile
EDIT THIS: add your preferred email and/or booking link.