It is the mission of pharmaceutical research companies to take the
path from understanding a disease to bringing a safe and effective
new treatment to patients. Scientists work to piece together the basic
causes of disease at the level of genes, proteins and cells. Out of this
understanding emerge “targets,” which potential new drugs might
be able to affect (see “How Drugs Work: The Basics” on p. 3).
Researchers work to:
• validate these targets,
• discover the right molecule (potential drug) to interact with
the target chosen,
• test the new compound in the lab and clinic for safety and
efficacy and
• gain approval and get the new drug into the hands of doctors
and patients.
This whole process takes an average of 10-15 years.

 

DOWNLOAD