New drugs are discovered through a complex and multi-step process that involves:
Target Identification: Finding a biological target that is associated with a disease. Lead Compound Identification: Screening thousands of compounds to find those that affect the target. Optimization: Modifying the lead compounds to improve their efficacy and reduce side effects. Preclinical Testing: Testing the optimized compounds in vitro (in the lab) and in vivo (in animals) to assess their safety and efficacy.
