Powering Discovery through Target Evaluation: Moving Beyond the Validation Paradigm

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction

• 1.1. What Is a Drug Target?
• 1.2. The Target Validation Problem
• 1.3. Critiques of the Target Validation Paradigm

Chapter 2. Target Evaluation Technologies

• 2.1. Target Identification Technologies
  • DNA Microarrays
  • Expression Proteomics
  • Bioinformatics and Data Mining
  • Human Genetics
• 2.2. Target Characterization Technologies
• 2.3. Target Validation Technologies
  • RNA Interference (RNAi)
  • Model Organisms
• 2.4. Exelixis and Lexicon Genetics: From Model Organism Technology Companies to Drug Discovery and Development Companies
  • Exelixis
  • Lexicon Genetics

Chapter 3. Whole-Pathway Approaches to Drug Discovery

• 3.1. Bionaut
• 3.2. BioImage
• 3.3 Avalon Pharmaceuticals

Chapter 4. Approaches to Developing Therapies That Address Multiple Molecular Targets

• 4.1. CombinatoRx
• 4.2. Cyclacel
• 4.3. Companies Developing Kinase Inhibitors That Address Multiple Targets

Chapter 5. Targets and "Druggability" for Small- and Large Molecule Drugs

Chapter 6. Biology-Driven and Technology-Driven Target Evaluation and Drug Discovery/Development Strategies

• 6.1. Technology-Driven Strategies
• 6.2. Biology-Driven Strategies
• 6.3. A Comparison of Biology- and Technology-Driven Strategies

Chapter 7. Understanding Complex Diseases with High Unmet Need

• 7.1. Genetics-Based Programs in Complex Diseases
• 7.2. BiDil, an Example of Dealing with a Complex, Heterogeneous Disease with Incomplete Knowledge
• 7.3. Biomarkers, Complex Diseases, and Patient Stratification
• 7.4. Biomarkers and Translational Mecidince
• 7.5. Animal Models in Understanding Complex Diseases and Developing Therapeutic Strategies

Chapter 8. Targets and Business Issues in Early-Stage Partnerships

• 8.1. Pharma and Biotech Approaches to Early-Stage Agreements
• Novartis
• Merck
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Genentech

Appendix

• Selected Company Profiles
• AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
• Cellomics
• CombinatoRx
• Exelixis
• Genentech
• Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR)
• Pfizer
• Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

References

Index