top of page

Target Identification

​

Target-based drug discovery begins with identifying the function of a possible therapeutic target- normally a gene and its respective gene product- and its role in disease. Currently, all existing therapies together hit only about 400 different drug targets (Drews 2000), but according to latest calculations there are at least 10 times as many potential drug targets that could be exploited for future drug therapy.

​

Targets for therapeutic intervention can be broadly classified into four groups:

​

  1. Receptors

  2. Proteins and enzymes

  3. DNA

  4. RNA and ribosomal targets

​

The “drugability” of a given target is defined either by how well a therapeutic, such as small molecule drugs or antibodies, can access the target, or by the efficacy a therapeutic can actually achieve.

​

Several parameters influences drugability of a given target, including cellular location, development of resistance, transport mechanisms such as export pumps, side effects, toxicity, and others.

​

Drews, J. Drug discovery: a historical perspective. Science 287, 1960-1964 (2000).

Phenos - your independent contract research organisation

Contact us today. We routinely develop new models to fit your needs.

CRO Target Identification
CALL US

Tel:     +49 (0) 511 600 604 12

        +49 (0) 511 600 604 14

Fax: +49 (0) 511 600 604 99

EMAIL US
VISIT US

Feodor - Lynen - Str. 5

30625 Hannover, Germany

© 2021 by PHENOS.

bottom of page