SMIMM1131U Drug Discovery

Volume 2026/2027
Education

Master's Programme in Industrial Drug Development - compulsory


The course is intended for drug discovery and development professionals, who would like to advance their knowledge in modern technologies and approaches used in target identification/validation, drug discovery and lead optimisation.

Content

The following topics will be covered in lectures during the course:

  • Target classes: receptors, channels, transporters and enzymes
  • Target identification and evaluation
  • Target validation using genetic technologies
  • Drug discovery aspects related to drug development aspects
  • Drug design aspects related to biopharmaceuticals and small molecules
  • Translational aspects ranging from a molecular target to whole animals
  • Case stories

 

Target prioritization, potential pitfalls and literature search will be covered in workshops.

Learning Outcome

The overall objective of the course is to provide the student with a general comprehension of the elements involved in modern drug discovery. The course will therefore cover a mix of general topics, as well as specific example cases.

The majority of drug discovery programs are directed towards design of either biopharmaceuticals or small molecules acting selectively at specific targets. As an initial step, the target involved in a given disease has to be identified and validated. Subsequently, ligands designed and optimized to act selectively at the target are identified. During this lead optimization process a number of considerations, such as ADME, toxicology and production, have to be taken into consideration. Finally, the lead candidates have to show efficacy in relevant animal disease models before the final candidate can enter pre-clinical studies. In the this course, we will focus on the target identification and validation as well as drug discovery and lead optimization processes.

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

Knowledge

  • Demonstrate comprehension of target identification and validation methods and processes
  • Demonstrate insight into lead optimization methods and processes


Skills

  • Ability to select important parameters for lead optimization and lead candidate progression
  • Orally present a subject in the drug discovery area (however, this is not part of the assessment)


Competencies

  • Conduct a valid scientific literature study in the area of drug discovery
  • Write a scientifically-based report on drug discovery aspects using scientific literature

Recommended reading for the lectures:

“Drug Discovery and Development” by Humphrey P. Rang and Duncan Richards (Elsevier, 3rd Ed, 2022, ISBN 978-0-7020-7804-0)

The below chapters are ‘need to know’ before the lectures as they form the basis of the course, including lectures and workshops:

Section 1: Introduction and background:

Chapter 2: The nature of disease and the purpose of therapy

Chapter 3: Therapeutic modalities

Section 2: Drug Discovery:

Chapter 4: Target selection

Chapter 5: From drug target to drug discovery

The following chapters are ‘nice to know’ before the lectures. They will increase your basic knowledge of the subject and thus increase your outcome of the lecture:

Section 2: Drug Discovery:

Chapters 6 to 13

Workshops

All workshop notes and materials are ‘need to know’.

Examination

The examination report will be based on a literature search performed by the participants and there is therefore no common syllabus for the course. Selected reviews may be provided by the organizers prior to the course as an introduction to the examination topic.

The course is organized as an intensive 5-day course and will comprise approximately 15 lectures, 3 afternoon workshops, an afternoon with student presentations and a symposium.
Note: The exam will require students to set aside time after the course dates.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 24
  • Preparation
  • 18
  • Theory exercises
  • 18
  • Exam
  • 22
  • Total
  • 82
Oral
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
3 ECTS
Type of assessment
Home assignment
Type of assessment details
The individual set written assignment is based on an example case. The assignment must be based on original peer-reviewed scientific articles found by literature search performed by the participants and there is therefore no common syllabus for the course. The participants will be introduced to literature searches during the course and the examination assignment is typically based on 20-40 articles.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Exam period

Deadline for submission of written report: See exam schedule.

Re-exam

Same as ordinary.

Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve a grade of 12, the student must be able to:

Knowledge

  • Demonstrate comprehension of target identification and validation methods and processes
  • Demonstrate insight into lead optimization methods and processes

 

Skills

  • Apply basic computational methods in the area of bioinformatics and literature serach
  • Ability to select important parameters for lead optimization and lead candidate progression

 

Competencies

  • Conduct a valid scientific literature study in the area of drug discovery
  • Write a scientifically based report on drug discovery aspects using scientific literature