The “Groupement des Pharmacochimistes de l'Arc Atlantique” (GP2A) or Pharmacochemistry Grouping of the Atlantic Arc is a study group on research and teaching in Medicinal Chemistry created in 1992. It gathers pharmacochemists working in Faculties of Pharmacy or Science and located in the different Regions of the Atlantic Arc in the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Portugal. More recently this grouping has welcomed new members who do not belong stricto sensu to this area (such as Lille), in the framework of the GP2A network. At the instigation of the starting core, it was decided to hold a scientific meeting every year in the shape of a GP2A Conference. This constitutes a focus for the exchange of ideas among scientists (including undergraduates) interested in basic research in medicinal chemistry but also in special areas of research in drug design including combinatorial chemistry, quantitative structure-activity relationships and molecular modelling; it gives an opportunity, especially to young scientists, for the strengthening and extension of their collaboration and exchange programmes. The circle is open to any external participation and is mainly constituted on the basis of previously existing bilateral cooperations between various Laboratories. In 2005, the Congress took place in Angers (University of Angers – Région Pays de la Loire) and was organized by the Laboratories “Substances d'Origine Naturelle et Analogues Structuraux” (SONAS) - UPRES EA 921. At the start of the year 2005, there were more than 16,700 students in the University of Angers and a wide programme of courses is offered in medical & pharmaceutical sciences, law & economy, social & human sciences.
The main topic of the 2005 edition – September 15 & 16, concerned the targets and the strategies employed in medicinal chemistry such as metathesis, drug-receptor interactions, natural products, synthetic approaches and 3D QSAR.
The GP2A members are very grateful to Marc Le Borgne and Guillaume Le Baut (Nantes) who coordinated the preparation of all manuscripts and carried the publication of this issue through to a successful conclusion.
GP2A Conferences took place in Bordeaux 1992, Caen 1993, Cardiff 1994, Angers 1995, Glasgow 1996, Rennes 1997, Caen 1998, Cardiff 1999, Tours 2000, Nantes 2001, Caen 2002, La Rochelle 2003, Rennes 2004 and Angers 2005.
Currently, the GP2A staff members are: Sylvain Rault (President, Caen), Pascal Berthelot (Vice-President, Lille), Michael Threadgill (Vice-President, Bath), Guillaume Le Baut (General Secretary, Nantes), Marc Le Borgne (Assistant Secretary, Nantes), Olivier Duval (Treasurer, Angers) and Frédéric Fabis (Assistant Treasurer, Caen).
G. Le Baut
M. Le Borgne