Previous title: Drug discovery and development

To introduce the various phases involved in drug discovery and development and provide insight and understanding into the dynamics and interdisciplinary nature of the development process.

Various disciplines and elements are involved in the process of drug discovery and development, from validation of a drug target to the identification of a lead structure leading to development of a drug. To promote the ability to understand and communicate with other experts across the different fields of the process, the course will cover the following topics:

·       Target identification, evaluation and identification of lead structures

·       Medicinal Chemistry: Lead optimisation and synthesis

·       Pharmacology and non-clinical safety

·       Pre-formulation

·       Pharmaceutical formulation, production and quality systems

·       Clinical trials

·       Regulatory affairs and patents

Experts in the field will give lectures and provide case stories on the individual topics, which will form the basis for project work in groups of three to four during the course. PHARMA-based scientists representing different disciplines will guide participants in their project work.

The idea is for participants to deal with the elements involved in drug discovery and the development of a registered drug.  Group project work will require participants to conduct literature searches and write a report covering the topics mentioned related to the drug in question. The course will conclude with oral presentations from the various groups. 

The two-week course will comprise 15-18 lectures, group work, report writing and an oral presentation.

Study materials: original publications.

At the conclusion of the course, participants will make an oral presentation and submit a written report.

The course will include a company visit.

The course directors will give a pass/fail grade based on individual performance, assessed by active participation, an oral presentation and a written report.

20 February - 2 March 2012.

6 ECTS credit points (European Credit Transfer System).

Professor Lona L. Christrup, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Associate Professor Jette Jacobsen, Department of Pharmaceutics and Analytical Chemistry and Associate Professor Bente Frølund, Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

Total course fee: DKK 14,200 (including lunch),

of which operating costs: DKK 2,900.

1 January 2012.

25 participants.

PhD students affiliated with the Drug Research Academy after June 2010 must pass this course.

The course will be held in English.