Innovative Approaches in Drug Discovery

Despite considerable technological advances, the pharmaceutical industry is experiencing a severe innovation deficit, especially in the discovery of new drugs. Innovative Approaches in Drug Discovery: Ethnopharmacology, Systems Biology and Holistic Targeting provides a critical review and analysis of health, disease and medicine, and explores possible reasons behind the present crisis in drug discovery. The authors illustrate the benefits of systems biology and pharmacogenomics approaches, and advocate the expansion from disease-centric discovery to person-centric therapeutics involving holistic, multi-target, whole systems approaches. This book lays a path for reigniting pharmaceutical innovation through a disciplined reemergence of pharmacognosy, embracing open innovation models and collaborative, trusted public-private partnerships. With unprecedented advances made in the development of biomedically-relevant tools and technologies, the need is great and the time is now for a renewed commitment towards expanding the repertoire of medicines. By incorporating real-life examples and state-of-the-art reviews, this book provides valuable insights into the discovery and development strategies for professionals, academicians, and students in the pharmaceutical sciences. - Analyzes the reasons behind historical drug failures to provide valuable insights on lessons learned - Uses current scientific research to promote learning from traditional knowledge systems and through the integration of traditional and western medicines - Discusses advances in technologies and systems biology to support the transition from formulation discovery to therapeutic discovery

Bhushan Patwardhan, PhD, received his degrees in biochemistry. He is a professor and the Director of the Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, India, where he is engaged in research in biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical biology, and evidence-based Ayurveda. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India), the recipient of many prestigious orations, and founder and Editor in Chief of the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. He is the author of over one hundred scientific papers, holds eight international patents, and has received four thousand citations. His research on drug discovery and genomics has received high acclaim.