Drug Discovery and Development

Abstract

The process of drug discovery involves a melding of many disciplines and interests, transcending the relatively simple process of identifying an active compound in the test tube. The discovery of a novel chemical entity that modulates some aspect of cell or tissue function is but the first step in the drug development process. Once shown to be selective and efficacious, a compound must also be relatively free of toxicity, bioavailable, and marketable before it can be considered to be a therapeutic entity.