Opportunities and Challenges in the Evolving Landscape of Early Drug Discovery

Opportunities and Challenges in the Evolving Landscape of Early Drug Discovery.
Maria M Flocco, PhD
VP Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, AstraZeneca Biopharmaceuticals R&D

The emergence of novel therapeutic modalities has expanded the target space accessible to therapeutic intervention. An increasing number of targets that were considered undruggable are now amenable to modulation by a variety of mechanisms and molecules other than the traditional small molecules. These novel approaches present new challenges and opportunities to scientists working in early drug discovery. Developments in screening, biophysical and structural technologies are enabling scientists to meet the challenges and make an impact in early drug discovery. Examples of the use of these technologies across therapeutic modalities and perspectives on future challenges and opportunities will be presented.