title: Rethinking 'academic' drug discovery: the Manchester Institute perspective.
abstract: The contraction in research within pharma has seen a renaissance in drug discovery within the academic setting. Often, groups grow organically from academic research laboratories, exploiting a particular area of novel biology or new technology. However, increasingly, new groups driven by industrial staff are emerging with demonstrable expertise in the delivery of medicines. As part of a strategic review by Cancer Research UK (CR-UK), the drug discovery team at the Manchester Institute was established to translate novel research from the Manchester cancer research community into drug discovery programmes. From a standing start, we have taken innovative approaches to solve key issues faced by similar groups, such as hit finding and target identification. Herein, we share our lessons learnt and successful strategies.
authors.affiliation: Drug Discovery Unit, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK. Electronic address: allan.jordan@cruk.manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Allan M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.affiliation: Drug Discovery Unit, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK.
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Waddell
authors.affiliation: Drug Discovery Unit, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK.
authors.forename: Donald J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Ogilvie
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes / Q000458:organization & administration; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016730:Program Development; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000458:organization & administration; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D057188:Workflow
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents