Research and Markets: Gain Insight into the Historical Perspective to Drug Discovery, Such as the Pioneering Work of Researchers Such as Ehrlich, Domagk, Fleming, Ahlquist, among Others.

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c46762) has announced the addition of Novel Targets in Drug Discovery to their offering.

This Report Novel Targets in Drug Discovery provides an overview of the concept of drug targets, and discusses their place in modern drug discovery. The report looks at the role of technologies such as genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics in target identification, as well as describing the downstream processes such as target validation, lead discovery, lead optimization and clinical development. It also discusses the various types of drug targets using specific examples where appropriate and provides an overview of novel targets currently moving through advanced clinical trials.

In recent years, the process of drug discovery has changed immeasurably. It has gone from a process that was largely disease-focused to one that is target-led. This change has been driven by a number of factors--among them technological advances and economic pressures.

Under the old paradigm, drug discovery began with the identification of a human disease and the development of an animal model of it. Chemical compounds that ameliorated the animal disease were then used as the starting point for the development of a new therapeutic substance. The present approach focuses very much on the identification of potential drug targets, which are typically individual genes or gene products. If the gene underlying a particular disease can be identified, the reasoning goes, then the discovery of chemical compounds or biological agents that modulate the targets, and therefore hopefully treat the disease, can be automated. This approach should be vastly more efficient than dealing with animal models.

However, not everyone agrees that this genetic reductionist approach is valid. While it appears superficially attractive, a number of objections, both theoretical and practical, have been raised. Nevertheless, it has been widely embraced by the pharmaceutical industry. Part of this acceptance is based on the increase pace of life sciences basic research over the past two decades.

This report provides an overview of the concept of drug targets, and discusses their place in modern drug discovery. It looks at the role of technologies such as genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics in target identification, as well as describing the downstream processes such as target validation, lead discovery, lead optimization and clinical development. It also discusses the various types of drug targets using specific examples where appropriate and provides an overview of novel targets currently moving through advanced clinical trials.

Chapter 1 provides a historical perspective to drug discovery, looking briefly at the pioneering work of researchers such as Ehrlich, Domagk, Fleming, Ahlquist and others. Using specific examples, it discusses the development of receptor theory, describes the role of second messengers in mediating the effects of drugs, and shows how the concept of drug receptors was gradually overtaken by an appreciation of targets in the wider sense.

Chapter 2 discusses the changes in drug discovery techniques that came about during the closing years of the 20th century. Advances in genetics, particularly functional genomics and the Human Genome Project have revolutionized the way that drugs are discovered, and these techniques are discussed in that context. Chapter 2 also looks at the processes of target validation, lead discovery and optimization, preclinical development and clinical development.

Chapter 3 focuses on drug discovery in the post-genomic era. It describes benefits that genomic and post-genomic sciences promise to bring to the process of drug discovery, and discusses some of the criticisms leveled against the genetic reductionist approach to drug discovery. The Human Genome Project revealed far fewer genes in the human genome than had been supposed, and Chapter 3 assesses the implications of this for drug discovery, asking just how many potential targets there are concealed within the human genome.

Chapter 4 looks specifically at the major types of drug target: DNA, nuclear receptors, enzymes, ion channels, receptors, and hormones and factors. In each category, the report provides a classification of drug targets, describes some of the techniques used to study them, and gives examples of current R&D in that particular area. This chapter also describes in detail the novel targets currently in the drug development pipeline for the period January 2004 to November 2006. This analysis indicates where innovation is occurring and what specific targets are being addressed.

Chapter 5 provides an analysis of the markets being addressed by novel targets and a sense of the revenue contribution these potential new drugs are likely to make over the next five years.

Chapter 6 provides company profiles for small private companies that have drug candidates in advanced clinical trials.

Finally, a series of appendices provides case-studies illustrating the use of genomics data in the identification of drug targets and how an enzyme target might be used in drug discovery.

Content Outline:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CHAPTER 1: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

CHAPTER 2: DRUG DISCOVERY IN THE LATE TWENTIETH CENTURY

CHAPTER 3: DRUG DISCOVERY IN THE POST-GENOMIC ERA

CHAPTER 4: THE NATURE OF DRUG TARGETS

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSIONS

CHAPTER 6: COMPANY PROFILES

APPENDIX 1: DRUGGABILITY STUDIES

APPENDIX 2: RECEPTOR FAMILIES

APPENDIX 3: REFERENCES

TABLE OF EXHIBITS

Companies Mentioned:

* Aerovance

* Alliance Pharmaceutical

* Cara Therapeutics

* deCODE Genetics

* Elbion

* Genfit

* Nutra Pharma

* Prestwick Pharmaceuticals

* Solbec Pharmaceuticals

* Somaxon

* Novel Targets in Drug Discovery

* Trion Pharma

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c46762