Drug development cycle

Fig. 2. Dynamic steps in the drug development cycle. As explained in the text, multiple strategies can be used for initial drug target discovery, and at various steps in validating the drug target, mechanisms of action, or defining biomarkers of response, new drug targets can emerge.

Figure 13.2 Paradigm of current drug development (cycle of steps in the process for structure-based drug design).

Many organizations have responded to LC/MS because of some seemingly common motivating factors. These factors provide a perspective as to why LC/MS has become so prominent throughout the drug development cycle and provide unique insights into the future prospects for growth. 

The safety of medicines is under evaluation throughout the drug development cycle. This process starts before humans are exposed, and continues during the clinical development and post-marketing phases. Broadly, the safety of a medicine is tested in four phases, each of which produces different types of data. These are as follows ... 

The majority of time and resources in the drug development cycle are consumed by the process of evaluating safety and efficacy in human patients. Clinical trials are divided into three phases. 

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