A Closer Look at Drug Development Phases

1. Discovery Phase: Unlocking Potential Medicines

The Discovery phase is the starting point of drug development, where the search for new potential medicines begins. Here, scientists explore various compounds and molecules, seeking those with the potential to treat specific medical conditions.

Key points in the Discovery phase:

• Target Identification: Scientists identify specific biological molecules, often proteins, that play a role in the disease. These are known as drug targets.
• Compound Screening: Thousands of compounds are tested to find those that interact with the drug targets and show promise as potential drugs.
• Lead Compound Selection: The most promising compounds are selected as "lead compounds" for further development.
• Preclinical Safety Assessment: Initial safety and toxicity testing is conducted in the laboratory to ensure the lead compound is safe for further testing in animals.

2. Preclinical Phase: Preparing for Clinical Trials

In the Preclinical phase, the focus shifts to understanding the safety and efficacy of the lead compounds in animals. This phase helps determine if the drug candidate is safe for human testing and provides essential data for regulatory submissions from clinical research training.

Key points in the Preclinical phase:

• Animal Testing: Extensive studies are conducted in animals to evaluate safety, efficacy, and potential side effects.
• Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics: Researchers study how the drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in the body, as well as its mechanism of action.
• Toxicology Testing: Comprehensive safety assessments are carried out to identify potential risks and side effects.
• IND Application: If the results are promising, an Investigational New Drug (IND) application is submitted to regulatory authorities for approval to proceed to clinical trials.