Assays In-Depth Focus 2019

Included in this In-Depth Focus:

• The importance of characterising chemical starting points of drugs using appropriate in vitro ADME-toxicity assays
  To reduce the likelihood of a failed clinical trial, researchers need to identify the pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of compounds at an early stage using the appropriate assay systems. Massimiliano Runfola from the University of Pisa in Italy and Sheraz Gul from Fraunhofer IME in Germany illustrate the types of in vitro absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADME-toxicity) assays that should be realised as early as possible in the drug discovery value chain.
• Why do we have no effective treatments for osteoarthritis?
  Despite recent advances in understanding the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, researchers have failed to deliver any disease-modifying therapeutics. In this article, Pradeep Sacitharan discusses current therapeutic approaches for osteoarthritis, challenges in drug discovery and what needs to be done to improve understanding in this area.