Thread by @SpiezLab

In his statement to the #CSP26, Christophe Curty, Chairperson of the #OPCW SAB and head of the Organic Chemistry branch @Spiezlab, referred to 3 key developments in science and technology relevant to the Chemical Weapons Convention. bit.ly/3JaBEOY
Short thread:

1) Changes to Schedule 1 Chemicals:
Biomarkers of the cholinesterase inhibitor found in Mr Navalny’s blood and urine samples have similar structural characteristics as the toxic chemicals belonging to schedules 1.A.14 and 1.A.15 in the Annex on Chemicals to the Convention.

The chemical used, however, is not listed in the Annex on Chemicals. Today, although some peer-reviewed articles have been published in scientific journals, specific information on their detection and identification as well as protection and countermeasures is still lacking.

The SAB encourages all efforts to address this outstanding issue and urges States Parties to share such relevant technical information with the Secretariat. @Spiezlab wholeheartedly supports this.

2) AI:
The development in using AI and other automated processes in chemistry holds promise for revolutionizing drug design and chemical property prediction. Both beneficial and potentially malicious uses of this field are worth considering in terms of their impact on CWC/OPCW.

3) Chemical Forensics:
The SAB observes with interest the recent publication of peer-reviewed articles in the area of chemical forensics relevant to the Convention. Methods of linking a specific chemical to a production route, manufacturer, geographical region, chemical precursor

or other field samples, are promising tools to support the OPCW in all of its investigation missions. @Spiezlab is involved in the continued work in this direction.