Introduction to Small Molecule Drug Discovery & Development from Coursera

What does it take to advance a new drug from the laboratory bench to the patient’s bedside? Historically, drugs were discovered serendipitously and were usually isolated from natural sources. Today, drug discovery efforts take many years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. They also require the input of dozens of specialists from a multitude of backgrounds to ensure that therapeutic molecules are efficacious and safe.

This four-week course takes a high-level tour of what it takes to research and develop a new drug. We will meet different scientists and professionals across the drug discovery value chain as we explore the different stages of discovery and development, including the different tools and technologies that are influencing how we think about new medicines today.

Starting off with the needs of the patient and the early phases of drug discovery, we will cover drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics and drug safety all the way to clinical development and beyond. This course is relevant for scientists who are new to drug discovery research or already have some experience, health professionals, or anyone who is interested in knowing what had to happen to ensure that their medicine is effective and safe.

What's inside

Syllabus

The starting point for drug discovery: The needs of the patient

This week covers an introduction to the drug discovery and development process. It starts off by considering the patient, as the ultimate beneficiary of new and improved drugs, to ensure that they are kept at the centre of and integrated into all subsequent decision-making. Through a case study, the concept of an unmet medical need is introduced and provides a backdrop for understanding further critical concepts which underlie drug discovery and development. An overview of various drug discovery strategies is presented, along with approaches to screening and hit discovery. Various scientific, medical and humanitarian considerations need to be taken into account if effective delivery of new and improved drugs is to be achieved. Some of the challenges are presented, and a panel discussion highlights different, and similar, perspectives in the academic and industry approach to drug discovery projects.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops knowledge and tools for professionals across the drug discovery value chain

Provides a comprehensive overview of drug discovery and development

Taught by Dr Susan Winks, a recognized expert in drug discovery

May be too high-level for those with extensive experience in drug discovery

Requires some knowledge of biology and chemistry

Does not cover advanced topics in drug discovery

Reviews summary

Comprehensive drug discovery & development overview

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive and well-structured overview of the drug discovery and development process. Students appreciate the clear and concise lectures and the insightful case studies, which help make complex topics accessible. Many found it an excellent foundation, especially for those new to the field, praising the multidisciplinary approach and valuable real-world context provided by various experts. While the course provides impressive breadth, some learners noted that the depth may taper off in later modules, suggesting it might be too high-level for those seeking advanced technical insights or already possessing a strong scientific background. Overall, it is highly recommended as an introduction.

The passion of instructors and insights from experts enhance learning.

"The instructor's passion was evident."

"...experts interviewed provided valuable real-world context."

"The multidisciplinary approach with different experts was a highlight."

Lectures are well-presented, concise, and easy to follow.

"...lectures were clear and concise, covering a broad range of topics..."

"The content is well-structured, and the multidisciplinary approach with different experts was a highlight."

"The explanations were jargon-free where possible, and the experts interviewed provided valuable real-world context."

An excellent foundational course for beginners in the field.

"Excellent overview for beginners in drug discovery."

"This course truly lives up to its name. It provides an excellent foundational understanding."

"A very comprehensive introduction. The breadth of topics covered is impressive..."

Covers a wide array of topics but some sections lack deep detail.

"Some parts felt a little high-level, and I would have loved more in-depth discussion on specific drug classes or advanced technologies."

"...felt that some modules were a bit rushed, especially the later sections on clinical development. The content could be more detailed."

"...the depth tapers off towards the end, but it's still a valuable course."

Ideal for newcomers, but potentially too basic for experts.

"If you have any background in biochemistry or pharmacology, this might be too basic."

"Some parts felt a little high-level, and I would have loved more in-depth discussion..."

"I found myself looking for external resources to supplement. Useful for a quick overview though."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Small Molecule Drug Discovery & Development with these activities:

Find a Mentor in the Drug Discovery Industry

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Seek guidance and support from experienced professionals in the drug discovery industry to enhance your learning and career prospects.

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Identify potential mentors through networking events, conferences, or online platforms
Reach out to potential mentors and express your interest
Establish a mutually beneficial mentoring relationship
Regularly meet with your mentor for guidance and advice

Become a Mentor for Aspiring Drug Discoverers

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Share your knowledge and experience by guiding and supporting others who are interested in pursuing careers in drug discovery.

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Identify platforms or organizations where you can offer mentorship
Create a profile or reach out to potential mentees
Provide guidance, support, and advice on career paths and research projects
Stay connected and follow the progress of your mentees

Read 'Pharmaceutical Biotechnology' by Walsh

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Gain a deeper understanding of the principles and applications of pharmaceutical biotechnology, which is essential for drug discovery and development.

View Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: Concepts and... on Amazon

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Read the assigned chapters
Take notes on key concepts and ideas
Summarize the main points of each chapter
Discuss the content with classmates or colleagues

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Practice Drug Metabolism Problems

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Practice solving drug metabolism problems to reinforce your understanding of the principles and concepts covered in the course.

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Review the principles of drug metabolism
Identify the different enzymes involved in drug metabolism
Solve practice problems involving drug metabolism
Analyze the results of your calculations and draw conclusions

Contribute to an Open-Source Drug Discovery Platform

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Gain practical experience and contribute to the advancement of drug discovery by participating in open-source projects.

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Identify open-source drug discovery platforms
Choose a project that aligns with your skills and interests
Contribute to the project by writing code, testing, or providing documentation
Collaborate with other contributors and maintain the project

Participate in a Drug Discovery Hackathon

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Challenge yourself and collaborate with others to develop innovative solutions for drug discovery-related problems through a hackathon.

Browse courses on Drug Discovery

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Find a relevant hackathon
Form a team or join one
Brainstorm ideas and develop a solution
Build a prototype or create a presentation
Present your solution to the judges and get feedback

Attend a Drug Discovery Workshop

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Network with experts and gain practical insights into the drug discovery process through attending a dedicated workshop.

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Research and identify relevant workshops
Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop and actively participate
Take notes and ask questions
Follow up with speakers or attendees after the workshop

Develop a Drug Discovery Proposal

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Apply your knowledge and skills to create a comprehensive proposal outlining a research plan for a new drug discovery project.

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Define the unmet medical need and target disease
Research potential drug targets and mechanisms of action
Design and outline a research plan
Write the proposal, including an introduction, background, methods, expected outcomes, and budget
Present the proposal to peers or mentors for feedback

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Small Molecule Drug Discovery & Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Biomedical Scientist

This course can help you build a foundation in the drug discovery and development process, with a focus on the needs of the patient. This knowledge is essential for Biomedical Scientists, who are involved in all aspects of drug development, from research and development to clinical trials and marketing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biomedical Scientist

Clinical Research Associate

This course provides an overview of the clinical development phase of drug discovery and development. This knowledge is essential for Clinical Research Associates, who are responsible for managing clinical trials and ensuring that they are conducted safely and ethically.

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Drug Safety Scientist

This course provides an overview of drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and drug safety. This knowledge is essential for Drug Safety Scientists, who are responsible for evaluating the safety of new drugs and ensuring that they are safe for patients.

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Medicinal Chemist

This course introduces the concepts of medicinal chemistry and discusses the tools and approaches used to modify drug-like molecules to improve their activity and safety. This knowledge is essential for Medicinal Chemists, who are responsible for designing and synthesizing new drugs.

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Pharmacokineticist

This course provides an overview of pharmacokinetics and its importance in drug discovery and development. This knowledge is essential for Pharmacokineticists, who are responsible for studying the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs in the body.

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Pharmacologist

This course provides an overview of pharmacology and its relevance to drug discovery and development. This knowledge is essential for Pharmacologists, who are responsible for studying the effects of drugs on the body.

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Regulatory Affairs Specialist

This course provides an overview of the regulatory framework governing drug discovery and development. This knowledge is essential for Regulatory Affairs Specialists, who are responsible for ensuring that new drugs are developed and marketed in compliance with all applicable regulations.

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Toxicologist

This course provides an overview of toxicology and its importance in drug discovery and development. This knowledge is essential for Toxicologists, who are responsible for evaluating the safety of new drugs and ensuring that they are safe for patients.

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Drug Discovery Scientist

This course provides an overview of the drug discovery process, from target identification to clinical trials. This knowledge is essential for Drug Discovery Scientists, who are responsible for identifying and developing new drug candidates.

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Health Economist

This course provides an overview of the economic aspects of drug discovery and development. This knowledge is essential for Health Economists, who are responsible for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of new drugs and ensuring that they are affordable for patients.

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Medical Writer

This course may be of interest to Medical Writers, who are responsible for writing and editing scientific documents related to drug discovery and development.

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Patent Attorney

This course may be of interest to Patent Attorneys, who are responsible for protecting intellectual property rights related to drug discovery and development.

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Project Manager

This course may be of interest to Project Managers, who are responsible for managing drug discovery and development projects.

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Science Writer

This course may be of interest to Science Writers, who are responsible for writing and editing scientific content related to drug discovery and development.

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Statistician

This course may be of interest to Statisticians, who are responsible for analyzing data related to drug discovery and development.

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