The application of high-throughput screening to novel lead discovery

The ability to discover new lead compounds for novel therapeutic targets is a pivotal step in drug discovery programmes. High-throughput screening (HTS) utilises a number of platforms for the rapid screening of novel targets to accelerate this process. Key issues in HTS include assay configuration and the ability of a high-throughput screen to predict drug-target interactions accurately. This review highlights a number of issues in the HTS process and describes three key target areas that are likely to be sources of novel, therapeutically important drugs. Particular emphasis is placed on the mechanistic basis of drug-target interactions that are of prime importance in the design of HTS approaches. Critical aspects of information management related to HTS are summarised.