Use of new biotechnology to design rational drugs against newly defined targets.

Success in drug discovery depends largely on the implementation of appropriate strategies that build on new technologies and the appropriate mix of drug-discovery platforms and research management procedures. Close collaboration between pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies and academic institutions during the many intricate phases of drug discovery is necessary to address the need to co-ordinate and streamline target discovery and validation activities, which typically take much longer than anticipated. Antibodies have become an important segment of newly developed therapeutics for a wide range of indications and offer the appropriate risk/benefit profile to balance drug-discovery and development portfolios for optimum success. However, as with other discovery activities, long-term commitment and experience are required to exploit these new techniques fully. Companies with experience in managing the appropriate mix of small-molecule and antibody discovery efforts while implementing novel techniques will remain at the forefront of drug development.