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Introduction to Drug Hunting

4.8 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 136 ratings
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Stephanie Dodd, MSc. , Sabine Guth, PhD, Thomas M. Smith, PhD, Alan P. Brown, PhD, DABT , Erland Stevens, PhD, W. Ross Tracey, PhD, Sujal Deshmukh, PhD, and Douglas S. Auld, PhD

This course introduces and summarizes the different steps of preclinical drug discovery, wrapping up with a brief description of the subsequent clinical trials and the importance of competitive intelligence in project strategy.  It provides a high-level overview for those interested in a more general understanding of the topic and forms the foundation for a more in-depth exploration of topics covered in other courses in this series.

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This course introduces and summarizes the different steps of preclinical drug discovery, wrapping up with a brief description of the subsequent clinical trials and the importance of competitive intelligence in project strategy.  It provides a high-level overview for those interested in a more general understanding of the topic and forms the foundation for a more in-depth exploration of topics covered in other courses in this series.

Target audience: This course is suitable for life scientists, clinicians, and individuals from fields that support drug discovery (e.g., patents, finance, licensing, etc.) interested in learning more about the pharmaceutical/biotechnology sector. Advanced undergraduate coursework or practical familiarity/working knowledge in biological sciences and organic chemistry is recommended.

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Syllabus

Introduction to Drug Hunting, part 1
Welcome to the course. By the end of this course students will be able to: Describe at a general level the process of drug discovery and development. Explain how potential drug targets and molecules are identified and evaluated, including the importance of biological activity, pharmacokinetics, and safety. Recognize some of the potential preclinical and clinical hurdles a new drug candidate must overcome.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Examines preclinical drug discovery, a core element of pharmaceutical science
Briefly describes clinical trials, an adjacent process in the drug development life cycle
Taught by experts from the University of California, San Diego, a reputable institution in biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences
Provides a comprehensive overview of preclinical drug discovery, covering essential steps and considerations
Suitable for life scientists, clinicians, and those in supporting fields seeking a general understanding of drug discovery
Requires advanced undergraduate coursework or practical experience in biological sciences and organic chemistry, which may exclude some beginners

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Reviews summary

High-level introduction to drug discovery

According to students, this course provides a clear and concise overview of the drug discovery process, making it an excellent foundational course for those new to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. Learners appreciate its well-structured content that distills complex topics into digestible parts. While it offers a broad understanding, some found it to be a high-level introduction lacking the deep dives or practical application that more advanced learners might seek, suggesting it's primarily for those seeking a general understanding rather than in-depth technical skills. The course is particularly well-suited for life scientists and clinicians aiming to grasp the initial stages of drug hunting.
Efficiently organized content that is easy to follow.
"The modules are well-organized and flow logically, making it easy to progress through the material."
"I appreciated the concise nature of the lectures, getting straight to the point without unnecessary fluff."
"The course structure provides a coherent pathway through the drug discovery process from beginning to end."
Ideal for life scientists and those with relevant backgrounds.
"As someone with a strong background in biology, this course seamlessly integrated new concepts into my existing knowledge."
"Highly recommend if you're a clinician or in a supporting field like finance, looking to understand the pharma sector better."
"The recommended advanced undergraduate coursework in biological sciences and organic chemistry really helps."
Offers an excellent and concise introduction for beginners.
"The course provides a very clear and concise introduction to the drug discovery process, perfect for someone like me new to the field."
"I found it a perfect starting point to understand drug discovery, laying a solid foundation for future, more specialized learning."
"It's great for gaining a general understanding; the way they explain complex topics makes them very digestible."
Provides broad coverage but may be too basic for experts.
"This course is truly an introduction; don't expect deep dives into every single aspect or practical lab work."
"As someone with a few years in pharma, I found some parts too basic, but it was a good refresher on the overall pipeline."
"I wish there were more practical examples or case studies to illustrate the concepts beyond a theoretical level."

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 Drug Hunting with these activities:
Review Biological Sciences
Prepare for this course by reviewing core principles of biological sciences, as an understanding of these concepts will aid in comprehending the later sections of the course.
Browse courses on Cell Biology
Show steps
  • Review chapters of cell biology textbooks and online resources
  • Review your notes or notes from earlier courses
  • Take practice quizzes or mock exams
Review Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry concepts will help you to comprehend aspects of the drug development process, so prior knowledge is recommended.
Browse courses on Organic Chemistry
Show steps
  • Review major organic chemistry reactions
  • Review your notes or notes from earlier courses
  • Use organic chemistry practice problems
Practice Pharmaceutical Calculations
Pharmaceutical calculations are used throughout this course, so practicing this skill will make the course more accessible.
Browse courses on Pharmacokinetics
Show steps
  • Review the different types of pharmaceutical calculations
  • Find practice problems
  • Solve practice problems
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Create a Glossary of Drug Discovery Terms
This activity can help you to improve memory and comprehension of key concepts, and it can also serve as a helpful reference tool as you progress through the course.
Show steps
  • Review course materials and identify key terms
  • Create a digital or physical document as your glossary
  • Define each term and include an example or context
Summarize Course Materials
The process of summarizing and synthesizing provided course material can increase knowledge retention.
Show steps
  • Review the course materials, including lectures and assigned readings
  • Identify and note important concepts, ideas and key terms
  • Summarize these main points in a concise and structured document
Introduction to Drug Discovery and Development
This textbook will supplement the course's materials and further explain key concepts.
Show steps
  • Gather the necessary resources
  • Preview the table of content and identify relevant chapters.
  • Read assigned chapters prior to the relevant lecture
  • Complete any exercises or problems provided in the book
Attend a Workshop on Preclinical Drug Discovery
This course is a high-level overview of preclinical drug discovery, so a workshop would complement and expand on the concepts introduced.
Show steps
  • Research preclinical drug discovery workshops
  • Identify a workshop that aligns with your interests and schedule
  • Register for the workshop
  • Attend the workshop
  • Take notes and ask questions during the workshop
Develop a Presentation on a Drug Discovery Case Study
Creating and presenting on a case study will demonstrate your understanding of the drug discovery process.
Show steps
  • Choose case study: Select a drug discovery case study that interests you, or one that covers specific topics needed for improvement
  • Research the case study: Gather relevant information from scientific literature, journals, and other sources
  • Plan the presentation: Create an outline, including key points, visuals, and references
  • Develop the presentation: Prepare slides, graphics, and supporting materials
  • Practice and present: Rehearse your presentation and deliver it to your class or a group of peers

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Drug Hunting will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

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Course image
Rating
4.8 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
9 hours to complete
Level
Intermediate
Via
Coursera
Institution
Novartis
Instructors
Stephanie Dodd, MSc.
Sabine Guth, PhD
Thomas M. Smith, PhD
Alan P. Brown, PhD, DABT
Erland Stevens, PhD
W. Ross Tracey, PhD
Sujal Deshmukh, PhD
Douglas S. Auld, PhD
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Examines preclinical drug discovery, a core element of pharmaceutical science
Briefly describes clinical trials, an adjacent process in the drug development life cycle
Taught by experts from the University of California, San Diego, a reputable institution in biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences
Provides a comprehensive overview of preclinical drug discovery, covering essential steps and considerations
Suitable for life scientists, clinicians, and those in supporting fields seeking a general understanding of drug discovery
Requires advanced undergraduate coursework or practical experience in biological sciences and organic chemistry, which may exclude some beginners
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