Drugs: From Discovery to Market

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

BSc students:

BBiomed students:

Students wishing to undertake this subject as breadth will need the approval of the subject co-ordinator.

None

Not Applicable

This subject cannot be taken if credit has been previously obtained for:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject will provide an overview of modern drug discovery and development, with an emphasis on the pharmacology that underpins the endeavour. The social, economic and scientific challenges facing contemporary drug discovery and development with respect to choice of suitable drug targets will be discussed; current drug targets, including receptors and enzymes, will be highlighted. Strategies – contrasting the complementary chemical-to-target and target-to-chemical approaches – to identify and optimise lead compounds will be presented. The material will include a discussion of small molecules as well as “biologicals”, such as antibodies and nucleotides. A description of how these lead compounds become drug candidates and are characterised with regards to their pharmacodynamic (receptor binding and activation), pharmacokinetic (ability to reach their site of action) and toxicological/safety pharmacology properties will be provided. Finally the approaches to bring an identified drug candidate to the market will be examined. This part of the subject will consider the necessary human clinical trials, regulatory requirements and ongoing monitoring of approved drugs. The subject material will be presented via a combination of lectures, associated online learning materials, and “hot topic” tutorials. The latter will focus on recent innovations in drug discovery, and will serve to highlight the close relationship between basic science and actual therapeutic agents.

On successful completion of this subject, the students will have developed a clear understanding of the strategies and processes that underpin modern drug discovery and development. They will have detailed knowledge of the pharmacological principles that support drug discovery and development, and therefore of the vital role that pharmacologists play in this endeavour. They will be well placed to appreciate future developments and challenges in the field of drug discovery and development as they occur.

• Continuing assessment 15%
• Mid-semester assessment 15%
• A 2 hour examination in the examination period 70%

None

Pharmacology, Rang et al., Churchill Livingstone, 6th edition, 2007.
OR
Principles of Pharmacology, Golan et al., Lippincott, Wilkins & Williams, 2nd edition, 2007.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

By the end of this subject, students will:

• be adept at learning in a variety of ways
• be able to examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge from multiple sources
• have gained experience in independent learning

This subject is available to students enrolled in the pre 2008 BSc, New Generation BSc, Biomedicine degree.