The drug discovery and development process is getting longer, more expensive, and no better. The industry suffers from the same clinical attrition and safety-related market withdrawal rates today as it did 20 years ago. Industrialization of Drug Discovery: From Target Selection Through Lead Optimization scrutinizes these problems in detail, contrasting the promise of technology and industrialization with the challenges of using the tools available to their best advantage. The book explores early successes, examines the current state of the art, and provides a strategic analysis of the issues currently facing drug discovery. Introducing the historical background and current status of the industry, the book delineates the basic tenets underlying modern drug discovery, how they have evolved, and their use in various approaches and strategies. It examines, in detail, the regulations, requirements, guidelines, and draft documents that guide so many FDA actions. The editor devotes the remainder of the discussion to industrialization, compound and knowledge management functions, the drug screening process, collaboration, and finally, ethical issues. Drawing on real-life, from-the-trenches examples, the book elucidates a new approach to drug discovery and development. This modern-day, back-to-basics approach includes three steps: understand the science, unravel the story, and then intelligently apply the technology, bringing to bear the entire armamentarium of industrialization techniques, not just automation, to the discovery process. Using these steps, you can meet the goals of more specific targets, more selective compounds, and decreased cycle times. In effect, you can look for a bigger needle in a smaller haystack. Daniel E. Levy, editor of the Drug Discovery Series, is the founder of DEL BioPharma, a consulting service for drug discovery programs. He also maintains a blog that explores organic chemistry.

Nature is an attractive source of therapeutic and preventive compounds, and with such chemical diversity found in millions of species of plants, over 60% of currently used anticancer agents are derived from natural sources. Cancer Inhibitors from Chinese Natural Medicines summarizes new advancements in the experimental and clinical research of a selection of promising cancer inhibitors. It focuses on the latest scientific investigations of 238 Chinese herbs and discusses important aspects, including the types of inhibitors in the herbs, level of potency, mechanisms, and the advances in modification and formulation. Formulations from nano-particulates and immunotoxins in cancer inhibitors are also included in this comprehensive resource.

The book covers theoretical background and methodology as well as all current applications of Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (QSAR). Written by an international group of recognized researchers, this edited volume discusses applications of QSAR in multiple disciplines such as chemistry, pharmacy, environmental and agricultural sciences addressing data gaps and modern regulatory requirements. Additionally, the applications of QSAR in food science and nanoscience have been included - two areas which have only recently been able to exploit this versatile tool. This timely addition to the series is aimed at graduate students, academics and industrial scientists interested in the latest advances and applications of QSAR.

A new generation of technological vaccines protect against many infectious diseases. This book describes synthetic peptide-based vaccine prototypes - the future of vaccination. Production of peptides becomes simple using automatic synthesizers. Peptides are weak immunogen and need adjuvants to provide an effective autoimmune response, which is why peptide antigens are conjugated with biopolymers and loaded with nanoparticles. The book illustrates the use of peptides vaccine systems and makes predictions of future development not only for infectious diseases, but also for cancers and brain diseases such as Alzheimer, Parkinson and psychiatric diseases. Key Features Summarizes current studies on technological vaccines Describes the uses of vaccines for the prevention of brain diseases Reviews the ways different polymers are used to enhance vaccine efficacy

Medicinal chemistry and pharmacology are closely associated fields, and the use of natural products for their medicinal properties is ever-growing. The study of drugs from natural products and their effects on the living body are explored in this volume. The book looks into the research, discovery, and characterization of chemicals that exhibit biological effects. Providing an informative compilation of research, valuable case studies, and reviews of existing literature in the area, the book focuses on the ethnobotanical uses of natural products and phytochemicals for health care, including applications for diabetes, ulcers, wound healing, chronic alcoholism, hemorrhoidal treatment, cancer mitigation, pain management, immunotherapy, and more.

Validation of computer systems is the process that assures the formal assessment and report of quality and performance measures for all the life-cycle stages of software and system development, its implementation, qualification and acceptance, operation, modification, requalification, maintenance and retirement (PICS CSV PI 011-3). It is a process that demonstrates the compliance of computer systems functional and non-functional requirements, data integrity, regulated company procedures and safety requirements, industry standards, and applicable regulatory authority's requirements. Compliance is a state of being in adherence to application-related standards or conventions or regulations in laws and similar prescriptions. This book, which is relevant to the pharmaceutical and medical devices regulated operations, provides practical information to assist in the computer validation to production systems, while highlighting and efficiently integrating worldwide regulation into the subject. A practical approach is presented to increase efficiency and to ensure that the validation of computer systems is correctly achieved.

The rich biodiversity of Borneo provides many useful plants for medicinal purposes. Written by experts in the field, Medicinal Plants of Borneo provides a guide and introduction to the medicinal plants from Borneo used traditionally as well as plants whose medicinal uses have been recently discovered. These include anti-HIV plants - such as Calophyllum lanigerum (calanolide A) - and anti-cancer plants - such as Aglaia foveolata (silvestrol). The book also provides information on the relevant medicinal chemistry, such as isolated bioactive compounds and the mechanism of action, where available. FEATURES Discusses the rich experience in the use of medicinal plants and the wide diversity of Borneo's botanical resources Presents plants with medicinal properties from a scientific perspective Provides readers with current information on the chemistry and pharmacology of natural products with pharmaceutical potential Covers a range of chemical, botanical and pharmacological diversities Forms an important part of the Natural Products Chemistry of Global Plants series due to an increasing global interest in natural products and botanical drugs Simon Gibbons is Head of the School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, UK, and a Professor of Natural Product Chemistry. He was formerly a Professor of Medicinal Phytochemistry at the School of Pharmacy, University College London (UCL). Stephen P. Teo is a forest botanist with the Forest Department, Sarawak, Malaysia.

This fully revised and updated third edition of Pharmaceutical Inhalation Aerosol Technology encompasses the scientific and technical foundation for the rationale, design, componentry, assembly and quality performance metrics of therapeutic inhalers in their delivery of pharmaceutical aerosols to treat symptoms or the underlying causes of disease. It focuses on the importance of pharmaceutical engineering as a foundational element of all inhaler products and their application to pulmonary drug delivery. The expanded scope considers previously unaddressed aspects of pharmaceutical inhalation aerosol technology and the patient interface by including aerosol delivery, lung deposition and clearance that are used as measures of effective dose delivery. Key Features: Provides a thoroughly revised and expanded reference with authoritative discussions on the physiologic,pharmacologic, metabolic, molecular, cellular and physicochemical factors, influencing the efficacy and utilization of pharmaceutical aerosols Emphasizes the importance of pharmaceutical engineering as a foundational element of all inhaler products and their application to pulmonary drug delivery Addresses the physics, chemistry and engineering principles while establishing disease relevance Expands the 'technology' focus of the original volumes to address the title more directly Offers an impressive breadth of coverage as well as an international flavour from outstanding editors and contributors

Discusses endogenous benzodiazepine-like substances - what do they do, do they affect the anti-anxiety drugs and their adverse effects? Presents information on the enigmatic prolonged benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome Describes the compounds acting at the BDZ binding sites, both exogenous (classical BDZ drugs and BDZ from food and plants) and endogenous (endozepines) Assesses the putative interactions in physiology, pathology and pharmacology of the compounds acting at the BDZ binding sites

For the past four decades, University College London has offered a renowned course on receptor pharmacology. Originating from this course, the perennially bestselling Textbook of Receptor Pharmacology has presented in-depth coverage of this rapidly expanding area of research. This third edition continues to combine current understanding of classical quantitative pharmacology and drug-receptor interactions with the basics of receptor structure and signal transduction mechanisms, providing an integrated analysis of the mechanisms of drug action at membrane receptors. The hallmark of this popular text is the uniting of four major approaches to the study of receptors: Molecular investigation of receptor structure Quantitative functional studies of agonists and antagonists Ligand binding Signal transduction at the cell membrane Maintaining the second edition's focus on cell membrane receptors and the immediate signal transduction events at the membrane, this edition includes updated chapters on receptor structure and signal transduction by G-proteins and tyrosine kinases as well as enhancements to the quantitative treatment of drug-receptor interactions. Several chapters contain problems and worked-out solutions, giving students the ability to test their comprehension of the material. Hundreds of diagrams and figures further enhance the text. A time-saving resource and comprehensive learning tool, Textbook of Receptor Pharmacology, Third Edition carries on the tradition of providing in-depth, up-to-date coverage of this critical area that is both fundamental to the science of pharmacology and on the cutting edge of new drug development.

The vast and exciting Brazilian flora biodiversity is still underexplored. Several research groups are devoted to the study of the chemical structure richness found in the different Biomes. This volume presents a comprehensive account of the research collated on natural products produced from Brazilian medicinal plants and focuses on various aspects of the field. The authors describe the key natural products and their extracts with emphasis upon sources, an appreciation of these complex molecules and applications in science. Many of the extracts are today associated with important drugs, nutrition products, beverages, perfumes, cosmetics and pigments, and these are highlighted. Key Features: Presents Brazilian biodiversity: its flora, its people, and its research Describes the emergence of natural products research in Brazil Emphasizes the increasing global interests in botanical drugs Aids the international natural product communities to better understand the herbal resources in Brazil Discusses Brazilian legislation to work with native plants

Pharmaceutical Calculations: A Conceptual Approach, is a book that combines conceptual and procedural understanding for students and will guide you to master prerequisite skills to carry out accurate compounding and dosage regimen calculations. It is a book that makes the connection between basic sciences and pharmacy. It describes the most important concepts in pharmaceutical sciences thoroughly, accurately and consistently through various commentaries and activities to make you a scientific thinker, and to help you succeed in college and licensure exams. Calculation of the error associated with a dose measurement can only be carried out after understanding the concept of accuracy versus precision in a measurement. Similarly, full appreciation of drug absorption and distribution to tissues can only come about after understanding the process of transmembrane passive diffusion. Early understanding of these concepts will allow reinforcement and deeper comprehension of other related concepts taught in other courses. More weight is placed on the qualitative understanding of fundamental concepts, like tonicity vs osmotic pressure, diffusion vs osmosis, crystalloids vs colloids, osmotic diuretics vs plasma expanders, rate of change vs rate constants, drug accumulation vs drug fluctuation, loading dose vs maintenance dose, body surface area (BSA) vs body weight (BW) as methods to adjust dosages, and much more, before considering other quantitative problems. In one more significant innovation, the origin and physical significance of all final forms of critical equations is always described in detail, thus, allowing recognition of the real application and limitations of an equation. Specific strategies are explained step-by-step in more than 100 practice examples taken from the fields of compounding pharmacy, pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology and medicine.

The subject of chemistry is widely acknowledged as being conceptually challenging, and regarded with a perceived elitism. This book aims to address this dilemma by breaking down the fundamentals of organic chemistry and its importance in medicine, so that readers with any or no background education in chemistry can access the material and gain an appreciation and understanding for the subject. The text is written in a clear and concise manner, using appropriate figures, to explain how the medicine we are so familiar with is designed and produced. Undergraduate students, medical and nursing students, and general audiences will benefit from the accessible format and enjoyable read. Key Features: User-friendly text dealing with the chemical sciences for the non-scientist Public understanding of science at the interface of biology and chemistry is in high demand The book serves to introduce organic chemistry and its relevance to medicine Describes the foundational principles of chemistry without losing the systematic rigor of the subject

Renowned experts give all essential aspects of the techniques and applications of graft copolymers based on polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are the most abundant natural organic materials and polysaccharide based graft copolymers are of great importance and widely used in various fields. Natural polysaccharides have recently received more attention due to their advantages over synthetic polymers by being non-toxic, biodegradable and available at low cost. Modification of polysaccharides through graft copolymerization improves the properties of polysaccharides. Grafting is known to improve the characteristic properties of the backbones. Such properties include water repellency, thermal stability, flame resistance, dye-ability and resistance towards acid-base attack and abrasion. Polysaccharides and their graft copolymers find extensive applications in diversified fields. Applications of modified polysaccharides include drug delivery devices, controlled release of fungicides, selective water absorption from oil-water emulsions, purification of water etc.

Mathematical and Statistical Skills in the Biopharmaceutical Industry: A Pragmatic Approach describes a philosophy of efficient problem solving showcased using examples pertinent to the biostatistics function in clinical drug development. It was written to share a quintessence of the authors' experiences acquired during many years of relevant work in the biopharmaceutical industry. The book will be useful will be useful for biopharmaceutical industry statisticians at different seniority levels and for graduate students who consider a biostatistics-related career in this industry. Features: Describes a system of principles for pragmatic problem solving in clinical drug development. Discusses differences in the work of a biostatistician in small pharma and big pharma. Explains the importance/relevance of statistical programming and data management for biostatistics and necessity for integration on various levels. Describes some useful statistical background that can be capitalized upon in the drug development enterprise. Explains some hot topics and current trends in biostatistics in simple, non-technical terms. Discusses incompleteness of any system of standard operating procedures, rules and regulations. Provides a classification of scoring systems and proposes a novel approach for evaluation of the safety outcome for a completed randomized clinical trial. Presents applications of the problem solving philosophy in a highly problematic transfusion field where many investigational compounds have failed. Discusses realistic planning of open-ended projects.

This volume addresses efforts to overcome the shortcomings of conventional dosage forms by exploiting the principles of nanoscience to deliver drugs for medical treatment. Nanodispersions are an important aspect because they possess globules/particles in sizes usually below 1000 nm in which the drug is dispersed in a continuous medium employing surface-active agents as stabilizers. With chapters written by experienced scientists and researchers in the field, this volume provides an abundance of information on various aspects of nanodispersions for drug delivery. The book is divided into several sections: nanoemulsions, nanosuspensions, and diverse dispersed systems. The chapters detail what nanodispersions have demonstrated in the past and what they are expoected to continue to do in the future as the technology further evolves. Key features: * Provides an overview of nanoemulsions for drug delivery * Introduces the general principles, classification, and methods of preparation of nanoemulsion-based drug delivery systems * Presents information relevant to specific routes of applications of nanoemulsions * Looks at the various aspects of nanosuspensions, including their formulation components, preparation methods, unique features, methods of characterization, and applications in various routes of administration * Explores nanomicellar approaches for drug delivery * Discusses the preparation, applications, and clinical considerations of nanogels for drug delivery

The new volume takes an interdisciplinary look at current technical challenges and recent developmental trends in microbial biotechnology. It covers an avalanche of new information available through research by focusing on a broad spectrum of issues on different microorganisms and their recent applications and implications in agriculture, soil science and forestry, industry, and public health and medicine. Microbes present in our immediate environment have a direct or indirect influence leading to either a harmful or beneficial effect. Microbial Biotechnology: Technological Challenges and Developmental Trends is divided into four major sections that focus on Part I: Antimicrobial Agents: Role and Applications in Medicine and Health Care Part II: Role of Microorganisms in Agriculture and Plant Biotechnology Part III: Microbial Enzymes and Their Potential Industrial Applications Part IV: Microorganisms in Environment: Role and Industrial Applications Topic include organic chemistry, biomass conversion, optimal production processes for different microbes, screening methods, and application of omics approaches such as (meta) genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, or other biotechnology tools, to provide a deeper understanding of the microbial-based new and emerging products, trends, processes, and technologies. The chapters present unbiased original research results on microbes by incorporating case studies wherever appropriate. Providing research findings applicable to the development of new methodologies, applications, and technologies, the book will be a valuable resource for people working in various fields of microbiology.

The purpose of this book is to focus on major considerations in the clinical use of botanicals as an integrated therapy in current health care. The book uses an organ system approach to presenting clinical evidence on the use of botanicals for common conditions. The chapters include brief sections on background and pharmacognosy, preparation and dosing, safety, evidence and clinical application. In addition, several chapters highlight pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenomic considerations with botanicals in precision medicine and their use in special populations. Finally, a summary on the editors' perspective of "challenges and opportunities" is provided, which discusses the practice of botanicals as integrative therapies and where they are heading in the future.

Over the past decade, major advancements in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms and pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension occurred in parallel with the discovery and development of new therapies. Pharmacological agents that modulate the main pathophysiological pathways of pulmonary arterial hypertension have changed the course of this devastating disease by relieving symptoms and improving and prolonging patients lives.

The first part of the book covers definition, classification, pathophysiology, pathology, biomarkers and animal models of pulmonary hypertension, thus laying the conceptual basis for what follows. The middle section provides an overview of the established therapies, such as calcium channel blockers, prostanoids, endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and inhaled nitric oxide. The concluding section explores novel pathways and emerging therapeutic approaches including soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators, Rho-kinase inhibitors, inhibitors of serotonin receptors and transporters, peptide growth factors, vasoactive peptides, modulators of redox equilibrium and cyclic nucleotides homeostasis, as well as immunosuppressive and anti-proliferative agents. Particular attention is given to clinical applications of these experimental therapies. "

Medicinal chemistry is both science and art. The science of medicinal chemistry offers mankind one of its best hopes for improving the quality of life. The art of medicinal chemistry continues to challenge its practitioners with the need for both intuition and experience to discover new drugs. Hence sharing the experience of drug research is uniquely beneficial to the field of medicinal chemistry. Drug research requires interdisciplinary team-work at the interface between chemistry, biology and medicine. Therefore, the topic-related series Topics in Medicinal Chemistry covers all relevant aspects of drug research, e.g. pathobiochemistry of diseases, identification and validation of (emerging) drug targets, structural biology, drugability of targets, drug design approaches, chemogenomics, synthetic chemistry including combinatorial methods, bioorganic chemistry, natural compounds, high-throughput screening, pharmacological in vitro and in vivo investigations, drug-receptor interactions on the molecular level, structure-activity relationships, drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, toxicology and pharmacogenomics. In general, special volumes are edited by well known guest editors

This new volume focuses on clinical biochemistry fundamentals, cell culture techniques, and drug discovery and development concepts. It deals with three different fields of clinical research: cell culture, clinical biochemistry, and drug discovery and development. The book introduces cell animal and bacterial culture techniques and their potential uses as well as cell culture techniques. The biochemistry aspect of the book covers the principles of clinical biochemistry and biochemical analysis, biochemical aids to clinical diagnosis, measurement, and quality control. The book also presents important concepts in cell membrane receptor signal transduction pathways as drug targets. The drug development focus of the book discusses the fundamentals of human disease and drug discovery. Various in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches for drug discovery are examined, along with a discussion on drug delivery carriers and clinical trials. Overall, the volume provides an overview of the journey from clinical fundamentals to clinical output.

Algal and sustainable technologies: Bioenergy, Nannotechnology and Green chemistry is an interdisciplinary overview of the world’s major problems; water scarcity, clean environment and energy and their sustenance remedy measures using microalgae. It comprehensively presents the way to tackle the socio-economic issues including food, feed, fuel, medicine and health and also entails the untapped potential of microalgae in environmental management, bioenergy solution and sustainable synthesis of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. This book basically emphasizes the success of algae as wonderful feed stocks of future and provides upto date information and sustainable and recreational outlook towards degrading environment and energy crisis. Applicability of fast emerging algae based nanotechnology in bioremediation and production of nanoparticle (AuNP, AgNP etc) are beautifully described along with latest research and findings. Key features: The "waste to best to income" strategies are the main concern of the book and take the edge off the problem of pollution, energy and income. Elucidate the sustainable phycoremediation and nanoparticle functions as low cost approach for various ecosystem services. Information regarding pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and other algae based value added product synthesis and fate are comprehensively discussed. Knowledge resource, latest research, findings and prospects presented in an accessible manner for researchers, students, eminent scientists, entrepreneurs, professionals and policy maker.

This forward-looking book focuses on the recent advances in nanomedicine and drug delivery. It outlines the extraordinary new tools that have become available in nanomedicine and presents an integrated set of perspectives that describe where we are now and where we should be headed to put nanomedicine devices into applications as quickly as possible, while also considering the possible dangers of nanomedicine. The book considers the full range of nanomedicinal applications that employ molecular nanotechnology inside the human body, from the perspective of a future practitioner in an era of widely available nanomedicine. Written by some of the most innnovative minds in medicine and engineering, this unique volume will help professionals understand cutting-edge and futuristic areas of research that can have tremendous payoff in terms of improving human health. Readers will find insightful discussions of nanostructured intelligent materials and devices that are considered technically feasible and which have a high potential to produce advances in medicine in the near future. Topics include: Health benefits of phytochemicals and the application of colloidal delivery systems Study of non-covalent attachment of recombinant targeting proteins to polymer-modified Adenoviral gene delivery vectors The role of nanoparticles as adjuvants for mucosal vaccine delivery Poly(amido-amine)s as delivery styems for biologically active substances Antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles Nanomedicine in the use of cancer treatment Dendrimers, capsules based on lipid vesicles for drug delivery Many other recent achievements

This fully revised edition of Handbook of Pharmaceutical Granulation Technology covers the rapid advances in the science of agglomeration, process control, process modelling, scale-up, emerging particle engineering technologies, along with current regulatory changes presented by some of the prominent scientist and subject matter experts around the globe. Learn from more than 50 global subject matter experts who share their years of experience in areas ranging from drug delivery and pharmaceutical technology to advances in nanotechnology. Every pharmaceutical scientist should own a copy of this fourth edition resource. Key Features: Theoretical discussions covering granulation and engineering perspectives. Covers new advances in expert systems, process modelling and bioavailability Chapters on emerging technologies in particle engineering Updated Current research and developments in granulation technologies

The concept of the 3Rs (Refinement, Reduction and Replacement) has been used as a framework for improving the welfare of laboratory animals for the last half century. By establishing an animal-centric view on housing and management, Animal-centric Care and Management: Enhancing Refinement in Biomedical Research takes Russell and Burch's definition of Refinement as "elimination of inhumanities" and goes further. Rather than fitting animals into experimental conditions, it encourages readers to adjust conditions to better meet the behavioral, emotional, physical, and physiological needs and preferences of the animals. The team of expert authors, from the fields of laboratory animal science, ethology, biology as well as animal training, provide ideas for creating housing conditions and handling procedures that induce, to the best of current abilities and knowledge, a long-term positive state of mind in the animals under our care. This book is written for animal caretakers, animal health technicians, researchers, animal facility managers, laboratory animal veterinarians, and anyone who engages in work with living experimental animals or is interested in the continuous improvement of laboratory animal welfare. This interdisciplinary guide will act as a catalyst, resulting in multiple viewpoints and fields collaborating to optimize laboratory animal welfare.