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The shift from traditional to genomics-and proteomics-based
drug discovery has fundamentally changed the way researchers
view the subject of targets. After decades of focusing on a few
hundred relatively well-characterized therapeutic targets, drug
developers are now finding that the genomics revolution has presented
them with the opposite dilemma: thousands of prospective targets
about which little is known. Powering
Discovery through Target Evaluation: Moving beyond the Validation
Paradigm comprehensively
evaluates current efforts to solve the target validation problem.
With steadily growing drug development costs, depleted pipelines,
and few blockbusters on the horizon, the ability to quickly identify
the most biologically promising of these targets will be the
single-largest differentiator between the winners and losers
within the research-based pharmaceutical industry over the next
decade. Target validation thus becomes the central issue in the
success or failure of pharmaceutical R&D. Researchers must
find the means to choose the best drug targets early in the process
to reduce costly attrition rates and allow for more efficient
drug discovery and development.
Powering Discovery through Target
Evaluation: Moving beyond the Validation Paradigm offers
unique and insightful analysis of current efforts to sift
through the post-genomic data deluge, prioritize targets,
and optimize resources to develop the most promising leads.
This report:
- Reviews the key issues with the current target validation
paradigm.
- Evaluates the tools and business strategies of
select companies competing in this arena.
- Analyzes efforts to use proteomic techniques for
target validation.
- Addresses applications of RNAi technology to target
validation and pathway mapping.
- Examines the issue
of multiple molecular “causes” of
disease by developing therapies (including single drugs and
combination therapies) that address more than one molecular
target.
- Discusses whole-pathway approaches to drug discovery—a
crucial step toward understanding the function of poorly
characterized targets. Pathway analysis may also be
important in patient stratification.
- Evaluates the current status of translational
medicine as a strategy for improving the productivity of
drug development.
Powering Discovery through
Target Evaluation covers
all the latest developments and issues that will influence prospects
for future success for all drug discovery technologies and strategies.
This report is essential reading for all R&D managers striving
to make genomics-based drug discovery more effective.
About the Author
Allan B. Haberman, Ph.D., is Principal
of Haberman Assoc iates (http://www.biopharmconsortium.com),
a consulting firm specializing in science and technology strategy
for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and other life science companies.
He is also a Principal and Founder of the Biopharmaceutical
Consortium, an expert team formed to assist life science companies,
research groups, and emerging enterprises to identify and exploit
promising, breakthrough technologies. Dr. Haberman’s
consulting activities include work in new product development
and technology strategy, opportunity assessment, assessment
of drug pipelines, and due diligence on established and emerging
biotechnology companies. He is also the author of numerous
publications on the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries,
their technologies and products, and on the major therapeutic
areas for drug discovery and development. Prior to forming
Haberman Associates, Dr. Haberman was the Associate Director
of the Biotechnology Engineering Center at Tufts University.
He received his Ph.D. in biochemistry and mo lecular biology
from Harvard University.
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