The most advanced research strategies will be examined in depth, with particular emphasis on the integrative perspective that underpins drug discovery, while reinforcing the interdisciplinary and interdepartmental collaboration that characterizes the Research and Development environment
Course Prerequisites
Understanding of the course topics requires basic knowledge of organic chemistry, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry.
Teaching Methods
Lectures will be delivered using slide-based presentations (PowerPoint), made available to students in the dedicated section of the KIRO platform. Presentations will use fonts recommended for students with specific learning disorders (SLDs). Significant time will be dedicated to interactive discussions and group work on case studies, with a focus on interpreting data packages related to individual compounds to support the selection of candidate(s) for formal preclinical development. Given the structure of lectures and practical sessions, attendance is highly recommended. Nonetheless, supplementary teaching materials will be made available to non-attending students in addition to the course slides.
Assessment Methods
The exam consists of the discussion of a practical case or a scientific article, with the aim of assessing the student’s level of understanding of the course topics, as well as their ability to synthesize information and communicate effectively. The examination methods will be further clarified during the course. For students with specific learning disorders (SLD), the assessment will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines provided by the SAISD center
Texts
Teaching materials will be accessible through the KIRO platform (https://elearning.unipv.it/). Free access on-line text https://europepmc.org/article/NBK/nbk326710#free-full-text Drug Discovery and Evaluation: Safety and Pharmacokinetic Assays. Svizzera, Springer International Publishing, 2024. ISBN:9783031355295, 3031355296 Articoli e review scientifiche recenti
Contents
The course will focus on topics such as multiparametric optimization and the integration of in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic aspects into the overall drug development process, with particular focus on the hit-to-lead and lead generation phases of small molecules, while also addressing translational aspects from animal models to humans.
