title: Drug discovery and development: lessons from an undeveloped drug.
abstract: In this article, drug discovery and preclinical development paradigms, as employed in today's pharmaceutical companies, are discussed. The antimalarial drug, artemisinin, is given as an example of a compound that is unlikely to be developed by a modern pharmaceutical company, yet is a safe and effective drug for the treatment of a deadly disease. It is argued that the use of prespecified charts, listing undesired properties to deselect molecules may lead to missed opportunities in bringing best-in-class medications to patients. Implementation of systems pharmacology, disease progression and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models are proposed. These models offer a superior approach in selecting the best drug candidates with the highest chance of success of entry into the market.
authors.affiliation: Rosa & Co. LLC, 751 Laurel Street, Suite 127, San Carlos, CA 94070, USA. tg@tgordi.com
authors.forename: Toufigh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gordi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009965:Orphan Drug Production
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; C031327:artemisinin