Professor from Nantes University in France gets education award for his work with DNDi’s Open Synthesis Network, that gives chemistry students an opportunity to synthesize molecules that could become potential medicines.
When Prof. Pascal Marchand began teaching organic chemistry 25 years ago, he did not anticipate his second-year students would one day be helping to close a critical gap in research for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Nor that he would get an education award for that.
But in 2025, the French Medicinal Chemistry Society awarded him the prestigious Wermuth Award for Best Educators for synthesizing potential medicines against neglected diseases with his students in lab class, through a collaboration with the DNDi open science drug discovery project Open Synthesis Network (OSN).
‘I really wanted something more connected to real research.’
Marchand’s journey started with a desire to move beyond repetitive lab exercises that saw his students trained to synthesize basic compounds – such as paracetamol and aspirin. ‘We have synthesized kilograms of aspirin or paracetamol over the years,’ Marchand quips. ‘I really wanted something more connected to real research.’
That desire – and a chance meeting in 2021 with DNDi’s drug discovery team – led him to the OSN, a project started by DNDi in 2017. The idea behind OSN is simple: giving medicinal chemistry students an opportunity to synthesize molecules with potential activity against viruses and parasites that cause NTDs. For Marchand, the approach was the perfect fit, giving his students real-world research experience and the opportunity to make a real difference. ‘It was exactly what I’ve wanted to do for years,’ he says.
Since 2022, Marchand has integrated OSN projects into second-year pharmacy courses at Nantes University in France. Each year, around 130 students work in pairs to synthesize 32 different compounds with promising activity against NTDs such as leishmaniasis and Chagas disease in amounts as small as 20mg. The results of the students’ lab work are then tested in vitro at laboratories involved in NTD research elsewhere in the world.
While the potential value to his students and NTD research was obvious, starting out involved clearing several logistical hurdles. Synthesizing 32 different compounds means 32 different materials and reactions, and the reactions must be feasible, safe for students new to laboratory work, and able to be completed over a limited number of lab sessions.
Marchand worked closely with the DNDi drug discovery team to identify compounds that could be synthesized by his students. These compounds had already been identified as having potential activity against specific parasitic and viral targets through other OSN contributions. Once implemented, their team effort paid off.
‘I saw that my students became very involved in the research. They had plenty of questions.’
‘I saw that my students became very involved in the research. They had plenty of questions,’ says Marchand. ‘It was also like a challenge between them. All of them were hoping that the compound they were synthesizing would turn out to be the most active against the parasite in future testing.’
Whether the results came back positive or negative for activity against the target, Marchand made sure his students understood the value of their contribution: ‘I say to my students that negative pharmacological results or biological results are still information – very important information. This is what a real drug discovery programme is.’
The project has already delivered promising scientific outcomes: over 60 compounds were synthesized in two years, with some showing improved activity against parasitic diseases such as Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. These results have fed into OSN data, able to be picked up and continued by researchers and students at other universities.
‘They have an increased interest in neglected diseases now, and they have become more engaged in solving global health challenges.’
For Marchand’s students, the learning has been about more than just chemistry. Many begin their university careers without any awareness of NTDs, but Marchand’s approach broadens their horizons. ‘They have an increased interest in neglected diseases now, and they have become more engaged in solving global health challenges,’ says Marchand.
‘Their work with OSN is also proof that open science works. Many of the students didn’t know this was a way to do research, but now they can see the results and data from their work on the website as it progresses. They see they can have an impact, and it changes the way they see research’ Marchand says.
‘It keeps students motivated – and this is so important in NTD research where innovation and persistence go hand in hand.’
Dr Luiza Cruz, Discovery Manager at DNDi, is just as excited about the positive impact the OSN is having. ‘Our partners in the OSN constantly find innovative ways to involve students in real-world drug discovery projects,’ she says. ‘It keeps students motivated – and this is so important in NTD research where innovation and persistence go hand in hand.’
When Marchand received the Wermuth Award last year, he saw it as a validation for all these years of work and collaboration. Named after Belgian professor Camille Wermuth, a pioneer in medicinal chemistry education, the award recognizes educators who innovate in teaching complex subjects.
But it is the OSN project – and its increasing popularity – that has brought him the greatest satisfaction. ‘It changed my way of teaching – it’s fantastic. I feel 20 years younger,’ he says with a smile. ‘Now, colleagues from other universities are interested in starting something similar.’
To other university departments interested in becoming involved with the OSN, Marchand is happy to offer some advice: ‘First, be practical about what type of chemistry the students can work on. The reactions need to be feasible and safe for the students. For example, for us, metal-catalysed reactions were off-limits because they are risky for students new to laboratory work. Second, keep in mind that this is not standard lab work. You need to prepare well beforehand, and you need a good team. It is hard work, but it is worth it.’
Looking ahead, Marchand is looking forward to continuing to offer his students an interesting alternative to classical lab lessons and hopes to publish articles about his approach in medical and education journals. ‘With preparation and collaboration, we can inspire students and contribute to solving global health challenges,’ he says.
Cruz adds her encouragement: ‘By training the next generation of scientists in collaboration with OSN’s partner universities, we help ensure that the spark of NTD research remains alight and strong.’
Are you a professor or a student interested in joining the OSN project? Please contact Luiza Cruz at lcruz@dndi.org.
