Principles of Drug Discovery and Development

Course Description

The discovery and development of a new drug is a complex, lengthy, and expensive process. Given that regulatory approval to market a drug is required before a company can generate revenue, it is one of the riskiest endeavors that a company can undertake.



In this course, you will examine this process—from the discovery of small synthetic and generation of large, biologic drug molecules through the preclinical efforts to evaluate and enhance the pharmacologic properties of a potential drug for safety and efficacy. We’ll discuss the objectives, the overall mechanics, and ethics of testing investigational drugs in clinical studies with human volunteers. Lastly, we’ll take a look at how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews the marketing application for a new drug, and the post-approval requirements it imposes on biopharmaceutical sponsors.



During the course, you’ll get a sense of what makes the biopharmaceutical industry a fascinating area for study. You’ll see the science and government regulations underlying the development of drugs, as well as the politics often associated with bringing a new drug to the marketplace. Course discussion is infused with real-world examples that demonstrate the challenges that people in the biopharmaceutical industry routinely face as they try to advance a potential new drug through the developmental pathway to FDA approval.



The course provides an important foundation in drug development for professionals from all disciplines who are currently working in or are considering a move to the biopharmaceutical industry.