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The View From Here Translational Drug Discovery The growth of multi-site, multi-technology translational research studies has resulted in an increasing emphasis on informatics capabilities to integrate, analyze and distribute translational data. Our views on the informatics challenges in translational research are well covered in our paper to be published in Drug Discovery Today later this year. We are seeing many commonalities between translational studies, which lead us to believe the time is right to look at a more configurable/product-based approach to translational informatics, rather than depending on large professional services projects. This type of configurable system and increasing availability of global gene expression and genotyping platforms means that translational studies need not only be the remit of major research groups. With an increasingly wide range of organization running studies the need for effective ways for analysts to share best practices has never been greater. It is also becoming generally acknowledged that clinical development and medical research groups should collect as much clinical data as possible. This is because accurate and detailed characterization of the phenotype is essential to understanding the gentotype. With comprehensive clinical data, researchers can perform multi cohort studies by slicing and dicing patient populations to identify the most appropriate biomarkers. This combination of detailed clinical data and whole genome studies can provide a major step forward in understanding the molecular basis of disease. Enjoy the read! Jonathan Sheldon, Ph.D. Jonathan Sheldon is responsible for directing InforSense Life Science and Healthcare R&D strategy and activities including managing InforSense product development and delivery to meet customer needs. Prior to InforSense he was Chief Technology Officer for Confirmant where he was responsible for developing the company's proteomics products and services. Previously he established the first bioinformatics group and was Head of Bioinformatics for 5 years at Roche Welwyn, UK participating in a number of global initiatives within the company. Dr Sheldon holds a PhD in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge. |
Increasing R&D costs, high late-stage attrition, safety concerns, poor pipelines and pricing pressure from healthcare bodies and generics are causing a major rethink within Pharma and Biotech companies about how to develop drugs. Translational research promises them major improvements in attrition and delivery of targeted, safe and effective drugs. Biomarkers are a very active area for pharmaceutical companies, examples of which are shown in the Top Reviews, but in general they are still formulating how best to embrace translational research and the fundamental re-engineering of R&D this would enable. However, there are exciting new developments in programs such as the Centre for Translational Molecular Medicine in the Netherlands and the EU Innovative Medicines Initiative. These programs are taking a strong lead in bringing together medical institutes and pharmaceutical companies, which can only be encouraged. By working closely together in these programs the care givers and drug developers can make translational research the standard approach, bringing major improvements to patient care.