Basic Principles of Drug Discovery and Development

Selected for 2026 Doody's Core Titles in Pharmacy Basic Principles of Drug Discovery and Development, Third Edition presents a unique overview of the drug discovery and development program not available elsewhere. Each chapter provides sufficient technical details on the topics covered so that non-experts will have the tools and information necessary to interact and exchange information with colleagues across the entire spectrum of the drug discovery and development process. The drug discovery and development process involves individuals and teams with a wide array of expertise ranging from basic sciences (medicinal chemistry, biology) to applied science (pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical sciences) to business driven fields (regulatory affairs, intellectual property experts, marketing specialists). The success or failure of a program focused on bringing a new medication to market often depends on clear communication between individuals and teams with vastly different expertise. As a result, it is critical that experts in one aspect of drug discovery and development (e.g., medicinal chemists) have a working understanding of the wide range of disciplines that take part in the overall process.

As an industrial medicinal chemist, Dr. Blass has experience with major pharmaceutical organizations (Wyeth, Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals) and small biotech operations (Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center), which provided him with a wealth of expertise in the art of drug discovery and development (including a wide range of disease states and biological targets). His position with Temple University's School of Pharmacy and the Moulder Center for Drug Discovery has provided him with essential experience as an educator and academic scientist. These experiences, as well as his training and expertise as a registered US patent agent, have provided him with the tools and skills necessary to bridge the gap between industrial drug discovery and academic research.

1. An overview of drug discovery process 2. A history of drug discovery 3. Biological targets in drug discovery 4. In Vitro Screening Systems 5. Medicinal Chemistry in Drug Discovery 6. Pharmacokinetics: Basic ADMET Principles 7. Animal Models of Disease States 8. Safety and Toxicology 9. Biotherapeutics drug discovery 10. Vaccine Discovery and Development 11. Basics of Clinical Trials 12. Translational and Experimental Medicine in Drug Discovery 13. Organizational Structures of Biotech Operations 14. Intellectual Property and Patents in Drug 15. Case studies in drug discovery