The Gregynog Natural Products Symposia were initiated by Professor Cedric Hassall in 1967 and have been held annually. Their object is to promote communication between research workers who study the chemistry of the products and processes of life. The titles and Chairs of each of the previous Symposia are listed on a separate page.
With the increasing participation of scientists from mainland Europe, the Symposium was renamed the European Symposium on Bio-organic Chemistry (ESBOC) in 1971, and the European Symposium on Biological and Organic Chemistry in 2010. For the duration of the symposium’s existence, invited participants have been drawn from academic, industrial and institutional research laboratories. The generous support of the pharmaceutical industry has made it possible to include several speakers from overseas.
The Symposium has ordinarily been held in a large country house, Gregynog, donated by the late Miss Margaret Davies to the University of Wales. Gregynog stands in 750 acres of attractive gardens and wooded parkland some 8 km north of Newtown, Powys, in Mid-Wales.
In 2023 the decision was taken to alternate the venue between Gregynog Hall and a location in continental Europe.
Find out more about the Organising Committee.