The challenges of developing novel antiparasitic drugs

Only a few novel classes of antiparasitic drugs have emerged over the last few decades, reflecting the difficulties associated with bringing a safe, effective molecule to market. In recent years, the screening paradigm has shifted from empirical whole parasite screening towards mechanism-based high throughput screening. This approach requires investment in molecular parasitology and in understanding the basic biology of parasites, as well as requiring considerable investment in an infrastructure for screening. Add to this the fact that the drug discovery process is iterative with high attrition, the Animal Health industry by necessity must focus on discovering medicines for diseases, which will deliver a return on investment. In recent years the rapid progression of genomics has unlocked a plethora of tools for target identification, validation and screening, revolutionising mechanism-based screening for antiparasitic drug discovery. The challenge still remains; however, to identify novel chemical entities with the properties required to deliver a safe, effective antiparasitic drug.