Drug Discovery News and Research

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The drug discovery process begins with recognizing a disease or clinical condition in which there is a lack of adequate medical treatment. Once a potential drug has been identified, pre-clinical research can begin. This process includes several stages; the first of which involves identifying and validating the prospective drug’s target through assay development, high throughput screening, hit identification and finally, lead optimization. Once the pre-clinical process is complete, the newly synthesized drug candidate is selected for future clinical development.

New AI system maps gene expression across the whole body

Understanding gene expression within the body has been a boon for 21st century biology and therapeutics, but most discoveries that use these technologies only focus on one organ or one small area of tissue.

27 Mar 2026

Novo Nordisk principal scientist highlights the urgency of advancing human-relevant 3D tissue models ahead of the 11th 3D Tissue Models Summit

As regulatory momentum accelerates globally to reduce reliance on animal testing, leading experts in microphysiological systems (MPS), complex in vitro models (CIVMs), organoids, and organ‑on‑chip technologies are preparing to gather at the 11th 3D Tissue Models Summit, taking place April 28–30, 2026 in Boston.

From Hanson Wade Group - 11th 3D Tissue Models Summit 2026 27 Mar 2026

iXCells Biotechnologies joins international collaboration to evaluate chemotherapeutic toxicity in human organoids

iXCells Biotechnologies ("iXCells"), a leading provider of human cell-based solutions and custom iPSC services, today announced it has entered an international collaboration with Rosebud Biosciences ("Rosebud"), Kantify, and Incite to evaluate off-target chemotherapeutic toxicities in patient-specific organoids.

From iXCells Biotechnologies 25 Mar 2026

Optibrium introduces graphical interface for QuanSA to enhance ligand-based affinity predictions

Optibrium, a leading developer of software and AI solutions for molecular design, today announced a new QuanSA™ plugin for PyMOL, providing an intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI) for its ligand-based binding affinity prediction method, part of the Company's BioPharmics 3D molecular modelling platform.

From Optibrium Ltd. 25 Mar 2026

Insilico and ASKA partner to advance AI-driven gynecological drug discovery

Insilico Medicine (3696.HK), a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company driven by generative artificial intelligence (AI), today announced a strategic research collaboration with ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("ASKA"), a specialized pharmaceutical company with a strong focus on internal medicine, obstetrics, and gynecology.

24 Mar 2026

Machine learning speeds up AMP discovery for treating ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by recurrent intestinal inflammation, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

23 Mar 2026

Muscle-repairing macrophages trigger heterotopic ossification in mice

We have identified a macrophage population "Mrep" that plays an essential role in muscle repair. However, in Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), Mrep functions as a pathogenic cell that triggers heterotopic ossification.

18 Mar 2026

Study uncovers how tuberculosis bacteria fuel themselves during infection

Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) have uncovered how the bacteria that causes tuberculosis fuels itself during infection, providing new insights into one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases.

17 Mar 2026

Researchers develop targeted delivery system for poorly soluble cancer drugs

Recent advances in drug discovery research have led to the development of numerous drug candidate compounds with high therapeutic efficacy.

16 Mar 2026

Review examines clinical trial phases in drug development

Announcing a new article publication for BIO Integration journal. Clinical trials bridge basic research and clinical application, serving as essential steps in drug development.

13 Mar 2026

Using blood proteins to make living brains transparent

Making a living brain transparent and watching its neurons fire without disturbing their function-sounds like science fiction, doesn't it? Yet the solution may already exist within our own bodies.

13 Mar 2026

Cambridge’s LED breakthrough reinvents drug synthesis

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a new way to alter complex drug molecules using light rather than toxic chemicals – a discovery that could accelerate and improve how medicines are designed and made.

13 Mar 2026

Japanese study evaluates sleep architecture and safety of common insomnia drugs

OSA is a common sleep disorder characterized by oxygen desaturation due to repeated airway collapse during sleep.

12 Mar 2026

ELRIG announces Prof Hazel Screen and Dr Dave Powell as keynote speakers for Advances in Cell-Based Screening 2026

ELRIG, a not-for-profit, volunteer-led organization dedicated to the global drug discovery community, today announced the keynote speakers for Advances in Cell-based Screening 2026, taking place at AstraZeneca in Gothenburg, Sweden from 6-7 May.

From ELRIG (UK) Ltd. 12 Mar 2026

iXCells Biotechnologies reaches iPSC line delivery milestone in collaboration with global biotechnology company

iXCells Biotechnologies USA, Inc. ("iXCells"), a leading provider of human cell-based solutions and custom iPSC services, today announced the delivery of over 500 characterized induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines as part of a multi-year collaboration with a global biotechnology company.

From iXCells Biotechnologies 12 Mar 2026

Marburg virus enters human cells far more efficiently than Ebola

In a new study published in Nature, University of Minnesota researchers found that the Marburg virus, one of the world's deadliest pathogens with an average 73% fatality rate, is unusually efficient at getting inside human cells.

11 Mar 2026

Viagra ingredient improves symptoms in patients with Leigh syndrome

Sildenafil – an active ingredient also marketed under the name of Viagra – improves symptoms in patients with Leigh syndrome.

11 Mar 2026

Machine learning model predicts chemical reactions to accelerate drug discovery

Drug discovery is like molecular Tetris. Chemists snap atoms together, adjusting the pieces until everything fits and suddenly, a molecule makes a promising new medicine.

9 Mar 2026

Understanding PIEZO2 mutations and sensory disorders

Every time we feel a gentle tap on the skin, specialized nerve cells convert that physical force into an electrical signal that the brain can interpret as touch. While scientists have long known that a protein called PIEZO2 acts as a key sensor for touch, it remained unclear why PIEZO2 is specialized for the localized mechanical forces experienced by sensory neurons, whereas its close relative PIEZO1 responds to broader mechanical stresses such as those generated when cells stretch, as occurs in blood vessels.

9 Mar 2026

Researchers develop non-hormonal contraceptives to reduce side effects for couples

In the 1970s, the contraceptive pill was the most frequently used method of contraception in Western countries; in Germany, for example, one in three women used "the pill."

6 Mar 2026