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Today's episode on the topic of The Business Side of Drug Discovery, covers 3 articles taken from the most recent Fall issue of DDW.  These articles are titled: Building the foundations for post COVID-19 R&D, Opportunity Knocks: Why compound screening libraries are worth the investment, and How to achieve data driven R&D at speed These articles were written by multiple authors. For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

Today's episode on the topic of Innovation and Opportunity in Drug Discovery, covers 3 articles taken from the most recent Fall issue of DDW.  These articles are titled: Japanese drug development: Where is the innovation, Where are the opportunities in global drug discovery, and New for Old: The value behind drug repurposing. These articles were written by Lu Rahman, editor at Drug Discovery World For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

This article will describe, with examples, how understanding the likely mechanisms of false positives in advance of screening informs the design of the hit triage, thus increasing the likelihood of discovering optimisable chemical matter and avoiding costly wasting of resource. We describe the use of a bespoke ‘Robustness Set’ of nuisance compounds and how it can be used in conjunction with adjusting the conditions of the assay. We also present an example where hit identification was initially confounded by the presence of a common pharmaceutically-acceptable salt and will describe how biophysical data was used to characterise the interactions and triage of the hits. By Dr Philip S. Jones and Dr Stuart P. McElroy If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/screening/p323287-reducing-the-pains-in-high-throughput-screening:-assay-design-as-a-tool-for-maximising-efficiency.html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/136778/(7)-reducing-the-pains.pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 virus and the disease it causes, COVID-19, have fuelled significant shifts in preclinical research across the globe. Amid the worldwide health emergency created by high infection rates, rapid transmission spread and relatively high mortality rates, researchers are under pressure to understand the disease’s pathogenesis, develop and test investigational therapeutics and explore viable vaccine approaches. By Dr Megan MacBride If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/therapeutics/p323646-the-covid-19-race-how-mouse-models-will-help-researchers-cross-the-finish-line.html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/138653/7-the-covid-19-race-how-mouse-models.pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

In this episode, we discuss the oxymoronic proposition of a Virtual Pharmaceutical Company (VPC) and the typical adopted business model, as well as provide examples of such companies currently trying to undertake this adventurous task. The vagaries and complexities of bringing a therapeutic drug to market through the Drug Discovery and Development (DDD) process are well known and described. Any company that undertakes such a time-consuming, financially-burdensome, risk-laden task must have access to a myriad of experienced and professional help. The depth and breadth of expertise required includes broad business knowledge, accounting, legal, intellectual property tactics and strategy, scientific discovery, animal models, toxicology, specific disease-domain understanding, regulatory, clinical trials, manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution skills. By Dr Stephen Naylor and Dr Kirkwood A. Pritchard Jr If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/business/p323009-the-reality-of-virtual-pharmaceutical-companies.html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/136354/(1)-the-reality-of-virtual.pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

Mitigation of COVID-19 pandemic requires a combination of effective epidemiological policies and the discovery/development of powerful drugs against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes this disease. This two part article series examines the major initiatives being explored at the public policy level to contain the spread of COVID-19 as well as some of the most important innovative collaborative efforts at the research and development front to combat SARS-CoV-2. For a successful outcome, these efforts need a proven and effective organisational model. By Ibis Sanchez-Serrano and Rathnam Chaguturu If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/therapeutics/p323640-race-to-covid-19-cure-the-core-model-for-solving-the-pandemic-crisis-(part-1-&-2).html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/138647/1-race-to-covid-19-cure-(all).pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

Mitigation of COVID-19 pandemic requires a combination of effective epidemiological policies and the discovery/development of powerful drugs against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes this disease. This 2 part episode series examines the major initiatives being explored at the public policy level to contain the spread of COVID-19 as well as some of the most important innovative collaborative efforts at the research and development front to combat SARS-CoV-2. Part 1 Introduces some top level approaches and steps that have been taken. By Ibis Sanchez-Serrano and Rathnam Chaguturu If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/therapeutics/p323640-race-to-covid-19-cure-the-core-model-for-solving-the-pandemic-crisis-(part-1-&-2).html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/138647/1-race-to-covid-19-cure-(all).pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has highlighted the need for fast and efficient development and production of vaccines for a whole gamut of pathogens, old and new. Microfluidics technologies can be used to accelerate the vaccine development process in a number of ways, not least in the directed evolution of the strains and host organisms used in the production of vaccines based on recombinant DNA. In this article we give an overview of the recent fast-moving advances in vaccine production and demonstrate how microfluidics is proving invaluable in the urgent crisis facing the world today. By Richard Gray If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/enabling-technologies/p323645-creating-vaccines-drop-by-drop.html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/138652/6-creating-vaccines.pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, international scientists from academia and industry have pooled their expertise and resources to identify candidate compounds that inhibit the activity of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, in order to develop a clinically effective antiviral. The aptly named COVID-19 Moonshot aims to accomplish this task more rapidly than has historically been done by crowdsourcing potential inhibitors from chemists around that world. In the span of roughly three months, hundreds of scientists have submitted thousands of potential candidates that are now being screened and checked for viability. All the data generated by the collective is shared publicly using a database supplied by Collaborative Drug Discovery. This includes the structures of the protease and the hits identified by screening experiments, as well as the experimental protocols used to select compounds for synthesis and testing. If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/therapeutics/p323644-the-covid-19-antiviral-race:-we-re-all-in-this-together.html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/138651/5-the-covid-19-antiviral-race.pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

Live-cell imaging has transformed the study of cell behaviour and function. The technique allows researchers to monitor internal cell structures, interactions and processes in real-time, and over time. In drug discovery, understanding the dynamic processes of cells provides an enhanced picture of drug pharmacology, enabling more reliable predictions of clinical responses earlier in the process. In this article, we highlight some of the key commercial products helping to drive the adoption of this valuable approach and how it could help improve efficiencies and advance the development of medicines. By Helen Stewart-Miller and Dr Kate Tointon If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/drug-discovery/p323283-using-live-cell-imaging-systems-to-transform-perspectives-in-drug-discovery.html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/136774/(3)-using-live-cell-imaging.pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

New disease targets frequently emerge in literature, but the thorough target validation required to consider these targets for a drug discovery programme is often lacking. In pharmacological or genetic perturbation studies using complex biological assays, undesired off-target effects cannot be easily distinguished from the intended mode of action at the desired target. This is especially evident in cancer drug development where it is important to discriminate on-target effects on cell viability from off-target effects resulting in non-specific loss of cellular fitness. By Dr Anne-Marie Zuurmond, et al. If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/drug-discovery/p323012-fail-earlyfail-fast-a-phenotypic-rescue-approach.html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/136357/(4)-fail-early.pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

This article discusses opportunities, challenges and best practices in leveraging infrastructure excellence and AI to unlock the value of early or inconclusive clinical trial data. The goal... driving stronger biomarker-based insights and decisions and helping to advance new cures and treatment approaches. As we all know, data is increasingly king in our information-driven world and organisations that learn how to turn mega information into informed strategies are creating true sea changes in their industries. The opportunity to harness the power of data in new and exciting ways is also moving increasingly into life sciences. By David Wang, Masha Hoffey and Dr Simone Sharma If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/informatics/p323281-unlocking-clinical-trial-data-to-uncover-new-therapeutic-opportunities.html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/136772/(1)-unlocking-clinical-trial-data.pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

The publication of the first human genome sequence more than 15 years ago marked the start of a new era in medicine. In the years since then, researchers have greatly expanded knowledge of gene-disease links and gained a better understanding of the underlying molecular pathways. The first precision therapies, targeted to specific molecular alterations, are already available. Despite this progress, the lack of diversity in genetic databases limits the potential benefits and markets for these advances. To further grow the field of precision medicine, much more knowledge is needed of the global diversity found in the human genome. By Sumit Jamuar, Dr Jonathan Picker, Dr Saumya Jamuar, & Dr Yaron Turpaz If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/precision-medicine/p323015-from-human-genome-to-global-genome-why-precision-medicine-must-address-genetic-diversity.html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/136360/(7)-from-human-genome.pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

In light of the high failure rate of compounds when they are subjected to clinical testing, we are seeing a renaissance in phenotypic screening in drug discovery. However, most phenotypic screening is based on the use of cellular assays and here we debate the advantages and disadvantages of single-cell versus 3D multi-cell analyses. The phenotypic screening of novel drug candidates determines whether a small molecule (or biologic) exerts the desired pharmacology, either in vitro (isolated cells, organoids, tissues) or in vivo. This functional approach is ‘unbiased’ given that the molecular target, and therefore molecular mechanism of action (MMOA), is only determined following lead identification and preclinical optimisation. By Dr Richard M. Eglen If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/screening/p323285-optimising-phenotypic-screening-single-cell-analysis-versus-3d-multicell-analysis.html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/136776/(5)-optimising-phenotypic-screening.pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

AI could create a streamlined, automated approach to drug discovery, trawling vast datasets to identify targets, find candidate molecules and predict synthesis routes. Getting there will require significant vision, but we are already seeing exciting examples of AI helping direct research and reduce discovery times. We discuss the short and long term potential of AI in drug discovery. By Dr Mark Roberts and Dr Sam Genway If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/informatics/p323284-how-artificial-intelligence-is-transforming-drug-design.html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/136775/(4)-how-artificial-intelligence.pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

Developing and maintaining cell cultures in a stable and sterile environment is of paramount importance to protect samples and increase overall success of drug discovery pipelines. Cell lines are extremely fragile and susceptible to contamination which can be catastrophic in terms of both time and money. Therefore, adequate environmental protection must be provided at all times in automation system enclosures. Here we examine what to look out for to ensure safe and successful automated cell line development. By Jon Newman-Smith If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/enabling-technologies/p323013-safety-first-automating-cell-line-development.html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/136358/(5)-safety-first-automating-cell-line.pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

Bioinformatics has played a major role in gene sequencing diagnostics and has been an essential tool to investigate the genetic causes of disease. With the support of new technologies and tools, bioinformatics can play an important part in the support and continued development of precision medicine. By Mike Furness and John Wise If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/informatics/p323016-application-of-bioinformatics-in-support-of-precision-medicine.html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/136361/(8)-application-of-bioinformatics.pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

In this episode, we examine the use of 3D organoid cell culture systems as applied to cancer research and the development of novel anti-oncologic drugs. Collectively, this transition from 3D spheroid culture to organoid culture allows researchers to generate multiple organ-specific cell types, resulting in cell architectures that more closely resemble the human tissue microenvironment. Furthermore, researchers are generating organoid cultures that are increasingly complex and more phenotypically relevant and, as a result, optimal models are being established to better understand patient-specific tumour proliferation and invasion patterns. By Dr Amanda Linkous, Hilary Sherman, Iris Li and Dr Richard M. Eglen If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/drug-discovery/p322919-3d-organoid-cell-culture-optimising-disease-models-for-research-and-drug-discovery.html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/136065/(5)-three-dimensional-organoid.pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

It has become quite evident that the microbiome has the potential to impact drug discovery in vital ways. In addition to impacting study reproducibility and variability, the microbiome may influence drug efficacy or serve as a therapeutic agent. To capitalise on the microbiome’s potential to improve human health, biotech and pharmaceutical companies are devoting greater resources to microbiome-related initiatives, spurring a spike in investments and collaborations. Incorporating this potentially disruptive technology into the highly-structured process of drug discovery requires new approaches, thinking and tools. By Dr Alexander C. Maue If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/drug-discovery/p323282-bitten-by-the-bug-a-flurry-of-investments-fuel-microbiome-drug-discovery.html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/136773/(2)-bitten-by-the-bug.pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com

Drug discovery is increasingly informed by genomics, which can significantly boost the chances of a novel therapy successfully navigating the lengthy journey from bench to bedside. But despite the rapid proliferation of genomic information, we still have a limited understanding of how specific genes and genetic variations drive tumour growth and therapeutic resistance. In turn, this limits our ability to identify and validate novel targets that are truly informed by biology and make an impact on disease progression – arguably the most crucial step in the whole drug discovery pathway. By Dr Menelas Pangalos & Steve Rees et al. If you'd like to view the original article then follow the link below: https://www.ddw-online.com/therapeutics/p322917-from-genotype-to-phenotype:-leveraging-functional-genomics-in-oncology.html You can also download the original article pdf here: https://www.ddw-online.com/media/32/136063/(3)-from-genotype-to-phenotype.pdf For more information on Drug Discovery World, head to: https://www.ddw-online.com