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Pharmaceutical development, dating back over 3500 years, has seen four major transformations. Animal experimentation, a 20th-century innovation, aided these advances, yet challenges in drug discovery persist.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Development

Background:

  • Human discovery of pharmacologically active substances is an ancient practice, over 3500 years old.
  • Pharmaceutical development has undergone four major transformations: anesthesia/analgesia/antisepsis, medicinal chemistry, regulatory toxicology, and targeted drug discovery.
  • Animal experimentation, a modern phenomenon, has been integral to these transformations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the historical evolution of pharmaceutical development.
  • To describe the coevolution of pharmaceutical development and animal experimentation.
  • To predict future transformations in pharmaceutical development.

Main Methods:

  • Historical review of pharmaceutical development.
  • Analysis of the impact of scientific, technological, and regulatory advances.
  • Examination of the role of animal experimentation.

Main Results:

  • Pharmaceutical development has evolved significantly over millennia, driven by key scientific and regulatory shifts.
  • Animal experimentation has played a crucial role in enabling major advancements in drug safety and efficacy.
  • Despite progress, high attrition rates, long cycle times, and costs remain significant challenges in drug discovery.

Conclusions:

  • Pharmaceutical development is a high-risk endeavor with persistent challenges.
  • Understanding historical transformations and the role of animal experimentation is key to future innovation.
  • Future transformations will likely address current limitations in drug discovery and development.