The Lead Evaluation Process Technologies and Methods

Over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in laboratory automation and miniaturization, primarily driven by the needs of HTS laboratories. However, the real challenge for lead evaluation is somewhat different from HTS. In HTS, one bioassay tests many hundreds of thousands of compounds in a short span of time. In lead evaluation, smaller numbers of compounds - typically 10-100 - are put through an array of assays that remain relatively constant over a longer time 

For the higher demand assays, this approach maybe a good solution because multiple assays can be scheduled and interleaved with each other. Alternatively, a series of flexible workstations and operators that move the plates to and from liquid handlers, incubators and readers may be a preferred option. In a modem lead optimization laboratory, both platforms are routinely used. 

Having described some of the technologies and processes being used to support lead evaluation, a critical element for the overall effectiveness of such an operation is the range of bioassays used for profiling and selectivity testing. 

2 Specificity of Drug Candidates and the Construction of In Vitro Specificity Panels 

Class 2 Parathyroid hormone Glucagon Adrenomedullin Calcitonin 

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