Introduction to Small Molecule Drug Discovery & Development from Coursera

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.

The early phases of drug discovery

This week explores the early phases of drug discovery. As outlined previously, the starting point is always the needs of the patient and their biomedical realities. Understanding disease biology is a critical next step and sets the scene for mapping the context for immune response and the origins of ill health and how the progression of disease can be controlled or arrested. Case studies, particularly in the context of tuberculosis (TB), demonstrate the rationale behind molecular biology studies of the pathogen and the host. Key concepts such as the essentiality and vulnerability of targets and their 'druggability' are introduced. Medicinal chemistry drives the chemical modification of drug-like molecules to improve their activity and safety. The various tools and approaches that the medicinal chemist has at their disposal, including the value of the screening cascade, will be discussed.

Drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics and drug safety

This week picks up the drug discovery and development story at the point at which promising drug candidates have already been identified. The crucial importance in this phase of investigating the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of potential drugs is introduced, as these are key parameters for the effectiveness of a new drug and a positive patient experience. These properties have a bearing on bioavailability and metabolic processes and provide a backdrop for animal model studies, and the extent to which the biological properties of the drug are retained in mammalian systems. The ethical considerations and technological advances pertaining to in vivo testing are discussed. Drug testing, safety profiling, and toxicology and efficacy in preparation for clinical trials are presented, and an introduction to process optimization and API manufacturing is also discussed.

Development phase

This week outlines and examines the clinical development phase. Once a drug candidate has successfully progressed through the phases outlined previously, it qualifies for filing as an Investigational New Drug (IND) and a Clinical Trial Application (CTA) and the accompanying review process. An overview is given of the regulatory framework governing this, and a description of the various phases of clinical trials. The extensive teamwork that is required during the clinical trial is outlined, as well as the various role-players in this process, and some of the critical aspects, such as the submission and approval process, protocols that need to be established, informed consent and site management, are described. Finally, we look to the future and consider how new technologies are changing the face of drug discovery and development and how this may ultimately bring newer and safer medicines to the patient more rapidly.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, 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

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

Show steps

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

Browse courses on Mentorship

Show steps

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

Show steps

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

Browse courses on Mentorship

Show steps

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

Show steps

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

Show steps

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

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Practice Drug Metabolism Problems

Show steps

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

Browse courses on Drug Metabolism

Show steps

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

Show steps

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

Browse courses on Open Source

Show steps

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

Show steps

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

Browse courses on Drug Discovery

Show steps

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

Show steps

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

Browse courses on Drug Discovery

Show steps

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

Show steps

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

Browse courses on Drug Discovery

Show steps

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

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Regulatory Affairs Specialist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacokineticist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medicinal Chemist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Research Associate

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacologist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Toxicologist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Drug Safety Scientist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Economist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Drug Discovery Scientist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

Statistician

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

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Writer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Patent Attorney

Project Manager

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

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager