The Drug Development Process: From Discovery to Market
The development of a new drug is a complex and highly regulated process that ensures safety, efficacy, and quality before it reaches patients. This journey typically spans 10-15 years and involves multiple phases, from discovery to post-market surveillance. Let’s explore the key stages of drug development. 1. Discovery and Preclinical Research Drug discovery begins with identifying potential compounds that may have therapeutic effects. Researchers screen thousands of compounds to find promising candidates. Preclinical testing follows, where laboratory and animal studies assess safety and biological activity before human trials. 2. Clinical Development (Human Trials) Clinical trials occur in three main phases: Phase 1: Small groups of healthy volunteers receive the drug to evaluate safety, dosage, and side effects. Phase 2: A larger patient group assesses the drug’s efficacy and further examines safety. Phase 3: ...