Drug development future

In general, progress in drug development depends on data obtained from analytical instruments. Thus, how this information is derived and provided to decision makers is critical to the success of the pharmaceutical industry. LC/MS technologies have effectively and uniquely supported the productivity (quantitative processes) and efficiency (qualitative processes) needs of drug development. Future issues appear to be directed toward enhancement of the information-gathering process that focuses on the relationship between data and decision (Table 8.1). 

To extract the conformational properties of the molecule that is being studied, the conformational ensemble that was sampled and optimized must be analyzed. The analysis may focus on global properties, attempting to characterize features such as overall flexibility or to identify common trends in the conformation set. Alternatively, it may be used to identify a smaller subset of characteristic low energy conformations, which may be used to direct future drug development efforts. It should be stressed that the different conformational analysis tools can be applied to any collection of molecular conformations. These... 

R. R. Shah, J. M. Midgley, S. K. Branch, Stereochemical origin of some clinically significant dmg safety concerns lessons for future drug development. Adverse Drug React. Toxicol. Rev. 1998, 17, 145-190. 

Calpain inhibition may represent an important mechanism for future drug development. Control of calpain activity may limit the invasive properties of cells and thereby provides a possible mechanism to limit the invasiveness of tumors or inhibits the development of chronic inflammation. For the moment, pharmacological inhibitors of calpains are still not capable of differentiating among different calpain isoforms in cellular systems or in vivo. The importance of calpains in diseases will continue to stimulate the development of new and better inhibitors. 

Workman, P. Enzyme-directed bioreductive drug development revisted a commentary on recent progress and future prospects with emphasis on quinone anticancer agents and quinone metabolizing enzymes, particularly DT-diaphorase. Oncol. Res. 1994, 6, 461 175. 

This volume gives an overview of the current status and an outlook to future more reliable predictive approaches. It is subdivided in five sections dealing with studies of membrane permeability and oral absorption, drug dissolution and solubility, the role of transporters and metabolism in oral absorption, computational approaches to drug absorption and bioavailability, and finally with certain drug development issues. 

Roses, A.D., "Pharmacogenetics and Future Drug Development and Delivery," Lancet, 355, 1358-1361 (2000a). 

To avoid the occurrence of ADRs in the future, specific trials to detect them should therefore be conducted before an NCE is launched on the market. Before this can be done, however, the major reasons leading to the withdrawal of drugs and termination of NCE-to-drug development should be identified and analyzed. 

The history of drug development for schizophrenia reflects the value of serendipity and may point toward future advances. 

Pardridge W (2003) Blood-brain barrier drug targeting The future of brain drug development. Molec Intervent 3 90-105... 

The workshop concluded with a panel discussion, along with questions and answers from the audience related to future deployment of pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics in drug development and regulatory decision-making. The broad conclusions from the workshop are as follows ... 

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