The hit-to-lead process at Schering AG: strategic aspects

Modern organizations conducting drug-discovery programs frequently apply high-throughput screening to generate novel hit structures for the indications of interest. Systematic hit-to-lead processes have been established at most pharmaceutical companies to ensure a smooth conversion of hits into high-quality lead structures. At Schering AG, a hit-to-lead process with distinct selection criteria was introduced in 1999 to identify the best leads possible. The thorough evaluation of hits and lead candidates allows risk assessments, which facilitate the assignment of valuable resources to those lead-discovery projects with the most chances of success. A dedicated hit-to-lead team has been formed to oversee the process and to provide guidance to the respective project teams.