title: What has virtual screening ever done for drug discovery?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although virtual screening is now widely applied as a hit-finding methodology within drug discovery programmes, there are relatively few reports of its contributing to compounds on the market or in the clinic.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact of virtual screening on drug discovery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Such cases as can be found in the public domain at the current time are reviewed. Additionally, some of the current challenges in structure- and ligand-based virtual screening are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is concluded that virtual screening has contributed to the discovery of several compounds that have either reached the market or entered clinical trials. In terms of praxis, there is 'no free lunch' in virtual screening and as many methods as possible should be applied to maximise the likelihood of success.
authors.affiliation: Argenta Discovery Ltd, 8/9 Spire Green Centre, Flex Meadow, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5TR, United Kingdom +44 (0)1279 645611 ; +44 (0)1279 645646 ; david.clark@argentadiscovery.com.
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Clark