Discovery Studies: The Foundation Of Drug Development Success

The discovery phase is the crucial first step in creating new drugs. It’s where potential drug candidates are identified and refined before they move into preclinical testing. This phase lays the groundwork for the entire development process, directly impacting the cost, efficiency, and ultimate success of all subsequent stages.

The discovery stage faces several challenges, including high failure rates, complex biological targets, and the need to find a lead candidate with the right combination of drug-like properties. A smart derisking strategy helps overcome these hurdles by guiding discovery efforts toward the key characteristics of the desired product.

To find viable drug candidates early on, it’s essential to combine rigorous target validation with early toxicity and pharmacokinetic (PK) testing. This approach, along with a constant, iterative design process, ensures that only the most promising candidates are pursued, which dramatically increases the chances of success.