Genomics and new technologies as catalysts for change in the drug discovery paradigm

The pharmaceutical industry is faced with unprecedented opportunities emerging from genomic sequencing. In parallel, many new technologies in the areas of informatics, molecular biology, combinatorial chemistry, and high throughput screening offer new strategies to deal with this mass of information and translate it into tangible treatments for human diseases. Increasing pressures to control prices counterbalances these opportunities. This paradox will require a rethinking of how the industry approaches drug discovery and development, and new paradigms will need to be explored to ensure these opportunities can realized for human health care in a timely and cost-effective manner.