This module is taught by the Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences and is about the discovery of new drugs and therapies. Students will consider the ways of identifying novel compounds for development and the processes which take place before such compounds are released onto the market following its introduction into clinical practice. The module includes an opportunity for group project work on the development of a specific drug and series of case studies looking at the criteria which contributes to successful outcome in a drug development programme. 

On completion of the module, students will be able to: 


	Explain how novel targets for drugs are identified and to give specific examples. 
	
	
	Understand how novel compounds are screened for the desired activity and the limitations of such screening. 
	

	Explain the objectives of pre-clinical evaluation of novel compounds for activity and toxicity. 
	
	
	Know what information is desirable before a novel compound is first introduced into human subjects and to be able to explain the objectives of Phase I clinical studies, including pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic matters. 
	
	
	Explain the design features of a valid clinical trial, including ethical considerations and statistical requirements. 
	
	
	Understand the information needed to introduce a new drug into clinical practice, the function and operation of the licensing scheme and the arrangements for monitoring new drugs after their introduction. 
	
	
	Give critical commentary on clinical trial data. 
	

	Understand the strategic, scientific and operational criteria which contribute to a drug discovery programme. 
	
Indicative Lecture list 


	Strategies for Drug Discovery 
	
	
	Multi-Drug Resistance Proteins and Pharmacokinetics 
	
	
	Anti-Angiogenic Drugs 
	

	First in Human Studies 
	
	
	Ethics of Human Experimentation 
	
	
	Introduction to NICE 
	
	
	Molecule to Medicine 
	
	
	Identifying New Targets for Drug Action 
	

	Animal Models 
	
	
	Proactive Pharmacovigilance 
	
	
	Toxicology 
	
	
	Clinical Trials 
	
	
	New Drugs in the Clinic 
	

	Case studies 
	
	
	Innovation in Drug Discovery 