Therapeutics discovery: From bench to first in-human trials

Area of Science:

• Drug Discovery and Development
• Clinical Trials
• Biomedical Research

Background:

• The conference convened global experts at the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC) in Saudi Arabia.
• It focused on the critical transition from preclinical research to first-in-human trials.
• The event aimed to foster international collaboration and advance drug discovery within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss recent advancements in therapeutics discovery, particularly phase I clinical trials.
• To facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration among international researchers and institutions.
• To address the specific needs and opportunities for drug development in the KSA.

Main Methods:

• A two-part program included pre-symposium courses on clinical trials, preclinical drug discovery, and molecular biology.
• The main conference featured discussions on the clinical trial pipeline, volunteer recruitment, and economic impact.
• Presentations covered preclinical drug discovery processes, cellular therapies, and target identification.

Main Results:

• Experts shared insights into drug discovery pipelines and the regulatory landscape for clinical trials in the KSA.
• Collaborative opportunities were explored through one-to-one meetings with international experts.
• The Saudi Food and Drug Administration outlined regulations governing clinical trials.

Conclusions:

• Researchers in the KSA should increase investment in funding, talent, and infrastructure.
• The goal is to position the KSA as a regional leader in phase I clinical trials and preclinical drug discovery.
• Focusing on local health challenges like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and resistant bacterial infections is recommended.