title: Drug discovery in the next decade: innovation needed ASAP.
abstract: Pharmaceutical companies must find a better way to increase their output of truly new drugs for the benefit of patients and for their business survival. Here, I highlight a general perspective from within pharmaceutical research as it pertains to research advances in chemistry, biology, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicology that, if well integrated, stands to put the industry on a productive path. In addition, I provide a complementary perspective on the corporate culture aspect of innovation. I also introduce a new concept, termed 'innovation ASAP' (iASAP; asking powerful questions, seeking the outliers, accepting defeat and populating astutely) and provide support for it using examples of several successful drugs.
authors.affiliation: Vertex Pharmaceuticals, 130 Waverly St., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. youssef_bennani@vrtx.com
authors.forename: Youssef L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Bennani