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Drug Discovery: Overview

Drug Discovery: Overview

Drug discovery is a multifaceted process involving extensive screening, testing, and optimization of lead compounds to identify potential new drugs for therapeutic use. It combines several approaches, including screening large numbers of natural products, chemical modification of known active molecules, identification of new drug targets, and rational design based on biological mechanisms and drug-receptor structure. These approaches are carried out in both academic research laboratories and...

In Vitro Drug Release Testing: Overview, Development and Validation

In Vitro Drug Release Testing: Overview, Development and Validation

In vitro dissolution and drug release tests assess how quickly and how much of a drug is released from its dosage form into an aqueous medium under standardized laboratory conditions. These tests are essential tools in pharmaceutical development and quality assurance, offering insight into the drug's performance before clinical use.During formulation development, dissolution testing identifies incomplete or inconsistent drug release issues. It also supports decisions on selecting the optimal...

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Overview

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Overview

Modified-release dosage forms are designed to address the limitations of drugs with short biological half-lives. These forms maintain stable therapeutic drug concentrations over extended periods, reducing the need for frequent dosing. A consistent drug level helps minimize peak-trough fluctuations, which can reduce adverse effects, lower the risk of drug resistance, and improve overall treatment effectiveness.One common type of modified-release form is the extended-release (ER) formulation. ER...

Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Continuous-Release Systems

Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Continuous-Release Systems

Continuous-release drug delivery systems offer a strategic approach to maintaining therapeutic drug levels over extended periods following oral administration. By modulating the release rate of active pharmaceutical ingredients, these systems minimize fluctuations in plasma concentrations, which enhances clinical efficacy and reduces the need for frequent dosing. Such characteristics make them particularly advantageous in managing chronic diseases where patient adherence and stable drug...

Drug Delivery: Overview

Drug Delivery: Overview

The selection of a drug's delivery route depends upon its physicochemical properties, including lipid or water solubility and ionization, as well as the therapeutic requirement, such as immediate or sustained effect. These routes can be divided into three primary categories: enteral, parenteral, and topical.
Enteral delivery involves administering drugs directly through swallowing, sublingual placement, or buccal application. Orally administered drugs predominantly navigate the gastrointestinal...

Biopharmaceutical Factors Influencing Drug Product Design: Overview

Biopharmaceutical Factors Influencing Drug Product Design: Overview

Rational drug product design integrates knowledge of the drug’s physicochemical properties, formulation components, manufacturing techniques, and intended route of administration. Each factor influences the drug’s performance, including how it is released, absorbed, and eliminated in the body.The physicochemical properties of a drug—such as solubility, stability, and particle size—affect its compatibility with excipients and the choice of dosage form. Excipients, though pharmacologically...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

The Submerged Printing of Cells onto a Modified Surface Using a Continuous Flow Microspotter

The Submerged Printing of Cells onto a Modified Surface Using a Continuous Flow Microspotter

Published on: April 22, 2014

Deploying continuous improvement across the drug discovery value chain.

Stephen M Walker¹, Barry J Davies

¹Oncology Research Area, Mereside, AstraZeneca R&D Alderley Park, Alderley Edge, UK. stephen.walker456@gmail.com

Drug Discovery Today

|March 30, 2011

Summary

Continuous improvement (CI) using Lean Sigma in pharmaceutical research enhances drug discovery. A value chain approach focusing on project delivery drives significant improvements in target selection, decision-making, and the design-make-test-analyze cycle.

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Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System

Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System

Published on: December 11, 2016

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Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

The Submerged Printing of Cells onto a Modified Surface Using a Continuous Flow Microspotter

The Submerged Printing of Cells onto a Modified Surface Using a Continuous Flow Microspotter

Published on: April 22, 2014

Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System

Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System

Published on: December 11, 2016

Area of Science:

Pharmaceutical R&D
Biotechnology
Drug Discovery

Background:

Pharmaceutical R&D faces challenges in efficiency and project delivery.
Continuous Improvement (CI) methodologies offer potential solutions.
Lean Sigma is a widely adopted CI approach.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the application of Lean Sigma for CI in a pharmaceutical research environment.
To identify effective strategies for implementing CI in drug discovery.
To demonstrate the benefits of a value chain approach to improvement projects.

Main Methods:

A value chain approach was adopted for improvement projects.
Focus was placed on the drug discovery project delivery level.
Lean Sigma principles and methodology were adapted for the research setting.

Main Results:

The value chain approach provided a foundation for an effective CI program.
Adaptation of Lean Sigma principles led to significant improvements.
Improvements were observed in target selection, project decision-making, and the compound design-make-test-analyze (DMTA) cycle.

Conclusions:

Lean Sigma, when applied using a value chain approach, can drive substantial benefits in pharmaceutical R&D.
The methodology is adaptable to the unique environment of scientific research.
Successful implementation relies on the integration of scientific expertise and CI principles.