From the Back Cover

The sequencing of the human genome has offered a genetic description of the entire repertoire of human genes, including a subset of disease targets. Despite this knowledge, now publically available, clinical pipelines are not yet enriched in drugs derived from targets emanating from this massive sequencing effort. A major concern for researchers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries is how to choose the most likely targets for drug discovery and how to validate them.

Target Validation in Drug Discovery describes the background for the choice of target for several successful biological drugs (protein therapeutics). It offers excellent analyses of the underlying biology, the establishment of relative assays, and the translation to clinical trials of these drugs. Professionals in biotechnology and pharmaceutical drug discovery, clinical development, students, and academics in related areas of study will find this a unique reference for years to come.

. Includes detailed descriptions of new enabling technologies, including aptamers, RNA interference, functional genomics, and proteomics

. Takes a look at biologic drug development with in-depth discussion of lessons learned from such well-known cases as Erbitux, Herceptin, and Avastin

. Additional targets known as "second generation" drugs are covered and present new possible small molecule therapeutics

. Details approaches to design of orally active drugs against new disease mechanisms

. Contains contemporary technologies in drug discovery and case histories of successful drugs