Drug discovery : a casebook and analysis /

This unusual book represents an effort to determine the most fruitful approach to the discovery of new drugs. The authors, both highly qualified, selected 32 innovative pharmacodynamic agents and present the lines of research that led to these compounds' becoming important therapeutic agents. Often, they also describe later research stimulated by the discoveries. Information presented includes numerous references to important reports in the discovery process. The authors' statistical analyses reveal the percentages of the new agents that were initiated by preclinical and clinicial efforts, and the percentages resulting from targeted versus nontargeted research programs. This study succeeds in identifying the best approach for discovering new pharmacodynamic agents, but its value is probably greater as a summary of the steps leading to the discovery of these modern drugs. It is interesting reading and a valuable source of references for anyone interested in drugs and their development. Recommended for all scientific and medical library collections at the upper-division and graduate levels. -A. M. Mattocks, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill