PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS-STAGES OF DRUG DISCOVERY-TARGET IDENTIFICATION
The first step in the discovery of a drug is identification of the biological origin of a disease, and the potential targets for intervention. Target identification starts with isolating the function of a possible therapeutic target such as a gene, nucleic acid, protein etc, and its role in the disease. Identification of the target is followed by characterization of the molecular mechanisms addressed by the target. An ideal target should be efficacious, safe, meet clinical and commercial requirements and be “druggable”. The techniques used for target identification may be based on principles of molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, biophysics, or other disciplines.
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