Closing the Loop - Detecting Drug Discovery Failures Faster
Joseph Fleishaker, a speaker at the marcus evans Discovery Summit 2010, discusses strategies for reducing the clinical stage attrition rate.

LAS VEGAS, NV, August 04, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Scientists should be looking at systems, and targets in the context of systems, recommends Joseph Fleishaker, Vice President, Clinical Research, at Pfizer. The failure of the P38 inhibitor showed scientists that this was necessary to identify early on in the clinical stage when things do not work. A speaker at the marcus evans Discovery Summit 2010 taking place in Las Vegas, September 19-21, Fleishaker exchanges his ideas on the P38 kinase inhibitor studies, and puts forward his recommendations for identifying ineffective targets earlier on in the drug discovery process.

What issues are drug discovery companies facing right now?

Joseph Fleishaker: The biggest issue for drug companies is the phase two attrition rate. We take in novel molecules which are relatively attractive, in terms of their molecular characteristics and safety profiles, and yet we fail to show efficacy in the clinical phase.

This comes down to three things. Firstly, target selection. No matter what we do, we will not achieve anything unless we have the right target. Secondly, we must look at biomarkers which can translate in the clinic and assess whether or not those molecules have the desired effects at a specified dose. Thirdly, we must get the answer relatively quickly in the clinic in order to know if we should go to the next phase or go back to discovery to look at a different target.

To view the complete release please visit:
http://www.thediscoverysummit.com/JosephFleishaker

For further information please contact press@marcusevanscy.com

Press Release Contact Information:

Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian
marcus evans, summits division
Press Manager
PO Box 24797
Nicosia, CY
Cyprus 1304
Voice: 357 22 849 313
Website: Visit Our Website