Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

Drug Repurposing Hypothesis Generation Using the "RE:fine Drugs" System
Published on: December 11, 2016
Drug repurposing: far beyond new targets for old drugs
1Translational Informatics Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, MSC10 5550, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001, USA. toprea@salud.unm.edu
Drug repurposing identifies new uses for existing medications, leveraging prior research and safety data. This strategy addresses knowledge gaps and offers viable therapeutic options by considering efficacy, side effects, and intellectual property.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Drug Discovery
- Translational Medicine
Background:
- Drug repurposing is a valuable strategy for identifying novel medicines.
- It capitalizes on prior investments and de-risks clinical development.
- Significant gaps persist in understanding drug-target interactions and accumulating clinical data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the multifaceted considerations for successful drug repurposing.
- To highlight the importance of data availability and intellectual property in identifying new therapeutic indications.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing drug data, including safety and efficacy profiles.
- Evaluation of drug-target interactions and their relevance to disease.
- Assessment of the intellectual property landscape and commercial feasibility.
Main Results:
- Publicly available drug data can reveal repurposing opportunities.
- Differences in side effect tolerance influence the feasibility of certain applications.
- Relevance to the disease and intellectual property are critical factors.
Conclusions:
- Drug repurposing extends beyond identifying new targets for old drugs.
- A comprehensive assessment of clinical, commercial, and intellectual property factors is essential.
- This approach offers a pragmatic pathway to novel therapeutics.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Discovery: Overview
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets
Targets for Drug Action: Overview
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...
Structure-Activity Relationships and Drug Design
SAR studies the intricate relationship between a drug's chemical structure and biological activity. It focuses on understanding how modifications to a drug's structure can influence its...
Prodrugs
Prodrugs help overcome...
Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
