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

Computational support for better compound decisions.

Forster Discovery uses structure-based modelling, advanced physics-based molecular analysis, docking and cheminformatics to help prioritise compounds, test hypotheses and focus experimental work where it matters most.

Better prioritisation. Fewer low-value compounds. Clearer experimental hypotheses.

What it helps with

Start with the program question, not the software.

The toolbox is used when a chemistry or structural decision would benefit from systematic computational analysis before more compounds are made or more experiments are commissioned.

What should we make next?

Prioritise plausible designs when synthesis capacity or assay bandwidth is limited.

Does this design make structural sense?

Compare proposed binding modes, interactions and alternative structural interpretations.

Why is the SAR behaving this way?

Use structural and series-level analysis to generate testable explanations for unexpected activity patterns.

Which molecular state deserves attention?

Compare stereochemistry, conformations, protonation or alternative poses where molecular state may influence the decision.

Which virtual ideas are worth synthesis?

Reduce larger enumerated sets to a chemically and experimentally practical shortlist.

Are we missing a better hypothesis?

Stress-test the current design rationale against alternative poses, analogues and structural comparisons.

Toolbox capabilities

Structure-based and cheminformatics workflows that support compound decisions.

01

Structure preparation & pocket analysis

Protein-structure selection, preparation, alignment, binding-site comparison and interaction analysis to establish a useful structural basis for the question.

02

Docking & pose assessment

Pose generation, scoring, comparison and interaction-based review, with emphasis on comparative interpretation rather than a single docking score.

03

Compound prioritisation & ranking

Integrating structural compatibility, medicinal-chemistry context, molecular properties and project-specific criteria to rank ideas for follow-up.

04

Cheminformatics & series analysis

Similarity, substructure, matched-pair, scaffold and analogue analysis using reproducible RDKit / Python workflows.

05

Virtual screening & design support

Filtering and triage of virtual or enumerated compound sets, including pharmacophore and structure-guided design support where appropriate.

06

Custom project workflows

Purpose-built analyses for a defined program question, rather than forcing every project through the same fixed software pipeline.

How it fits into a project

From scientific question to an experimental recommendation.

01
QuestionDefine the decision that actually matters for the program.
02
Data & structure reviewAssess structures, assay data, series context and known limitations.
03
Computational analysisRun the structure-based or cheminformatics workflow appropriate to the question.
04
Ranked hypothesesCompare plausible explanations or compounds instead of relying on one number.
05
RecommendationTranslate the analysis into specific compounds, experiments or next decisions.
The output is a decision, not a docking score. Computational evidence is interpreted together with medicinal chemistry, SAR, synthetic feasibility, DMPK and the practical constraints of the program.
Where it can add value

Useful when the number of plausible ideas is larger than the experimental bandwidth.

Hit and lead series

Many plausible analogues, limited synthesis capacity and a need to focus the next design cycle.

Ambiguous or unexpected SAR

Activity changes are clear, but the structural explanation is not. Computational comparison can help generate testable hypotheses.

Outsourced chemistry programs

Independent review of CRO compound proposals, design logic or virtual libraries before resources are committed.

TPD / molecular glues

Programs where multiple ligand, protein and interface geometries may need to be considered rather than a simple binary binding model.

Virtual libraries

Hundreds or thousands of proposed compounds need rational triage before synthesis or procurement.

Second-opinion structural review

A program already has a structural hypothesis, but an independent computational assessment would reduce decision risk.

What the customer receives

Outputs designed to support action, not just analysis.

✓
Prioritised compound shortlist with scientific rationale
✓
Annotated poses or structural comparisons where relevant
✓
Comparison of competing structural or SAR hypotheses
✓
Property, similarity or series-level analysis
✓
Explicit uncertainties, assumptions and model limitations
✓
Recommended next compounds, experiments or design questions
✓
Concise decision memo and supporting technical material
✓
Reusable analysis outputs for internal or CRO discussion
Scientific positioning

Decision support, not black-box prediction.

Docking scores, structural models and computational rankings are treated as comparative evidence rather than direct predictions of potency, degradation or clinical performance. Conclusions are reported with uncertainty and interpreted alongside experimental data, medicinal chemistry and synthetic feasibility.

Have a compound series or structural question?

Start with the decision you need to make.

Share the question and whatever data or structures you already have. We can then define whether computational analysis is likely to change the decision and what a useful, bounded piece of work would look like.

Dr. Francis ForsterForster Discovery · Independent drug-discovery consultancyVienna, Austria · working internationallyLinkedIn profileContact