In recent years, the number of new drugs entering the market has been declining and this is in-part the result of the current state of preclinical research. Outcomes of preclinical studies today are modest; it is estimated that only 1 in 10 drugs will continue along the drug discovery pipeline into phase II clinical trials. 

Preclinical tests aim to answer three questions about the drug: what does the drug do in the body; what does the body do to the drug; and if it is potent, is it also safe? With these, researchers work to provide an accurate model of the biological activity of the drug in humans. 

This spotlight will aim to review recent advancements and current obstacles in existing and novel techniques applied to preclinical studies. We will delve into the development of novel methods for assessing the preclinical viability of lead compounds; we will consider what is essential for preclinical testing of efficacy, tolerability and safety before first-in-human clinical trials and discuss what changes may take place with these methods in the coming years/how these methods are likely to evolve and change in the future. 

Editor's picks

Interviews | Journal Articles | News | Infographic

• Predicting clinical responses with organoids: an interview with Rob Vries
• How can we replace, refine and reduce the use of animals in research? An interview with Anthony Holmes
• Challenges in drug discovery for Cryptosporidium: an interview with Mattie Pawlowic 
• Small molecule regenerative therapies with Angela Russell

• Research article: Myricetin attenuates LPS-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophages and mouse models
• What structural modifications can be used for BRD4 inhibitors for their use in leukemia therapy?
• Research turns the spotlight onto Mangiferin properties 
• Indole-fused benzooxazepines: a new structural class of anticancer agents? 
  

• New hydrogel for liver cell culture on microchips
• HIV drug, lamivudine, could be effective in treating Alzheimer’s disease
• Can we restore memory in Alzheimer’s disease patients?
• First photoactive drug shows promise for pain treatment 
• Therapeutic for Rett syndrome shows success in preclinical mouse models 
• How is 3D tissue modeling opening new doors for ALS drug testing?
• Therapeutic for Rett syndrome shows success in preclinical mouse models

Thank you to all those who took part in our survey and shares their thoughts on preclinical testing. The results are in! Check out our infographic and see what other scientists around the world are doing; how do you compare? 

Visit the spotlight – new content added weekly!