A Review on Advancement and Development in Drug Design
Obinwa Emeka Henry, Oloye-Akorede Mariam Taiwo, Tommy Bessie Edikan, Obinwa Chinaza Blessing, Quadri Izzah Opeyemi · International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science · 2024
Drug discovery is a complex, multi-disciplinary process to identify new therapeutic candidates for treating diseases. It begins with target identification and validation, pinpointing and confirming biological targets involved in disease. This is followed by hit identification, where compounds that interact with the target are found using high-throughput screening, computational methods, or fragment-based techniques. Lead optimization enhances these compounds’ efficacy, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties. Preclinical testing assesses optimized leads’ safety and biological activity in laboratory and animal studies. Successful candidates progress to clinical trials, conducted in phases to evaluate safety, efficacy, and side effects in humans. Upon successful clinical trials, drugs undergo regulatory review to ensure they are safe and effective for public use. Post-marketing surveillance monitors long-term safety and efficacy. Advances in genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics have significantly improved drug discovery, highlighting its collaborative and interdisciplinary nature, crucial for developing new and effective therapies. This article explores recent advancements in drug discovery, highlighting innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), CRISPR gene editing, mRNA technology, targeted protein degradation, and organs-on-chips. Through specific case studies, the practical applications and successes of these advancements, providing insights into their impact on the drug development process.