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Course

Next Generation Modalities in Drug Discovery & Development

BIOL-40394

Explore the Future of Advanced Therapeutic Innovation

As the boundaries of drug development expand, a new wave of therapeutic platforms is transforming how diseases are treated. This online course provides a practical introduction to next generation modalities—innovative approaches that go beyond traditional small molecules and first-generation biologics. Through real-world examples and case-based learning, you’ll explore how these emerging technologies are developed, the challenges they face, and what it takes to move them from early research into clinical studies.

Designed for early to mid-career professionals and those transitioning into biotech or pharmaceutical roles, this course is ideal for individuals with a general background in biology, pharmacology, or biomedical sciences who want to build a working understanding of modern therapeutic innovation.

Over six weeks, you'll build a pratical foundation in one of the fastest-evolving areas of life sciences, equipping you to better navigate and contribute to today's dynamic drug development landscape.
 

What You Will Learn

  • Identify key next generation drug modalities, including ADCs, bispecific antibodies, cell therapies, RNA therapeutics, and gene-based approaches.
  • Understand how these platforms differ from traditional therapies in mechanism and application.
  • Recognize common development challenges such as delivery, safety, and manufacturing complexity.
  • Outline the early-stage steps required to advance therapies from preclinical research to first-in-human trials.
  • Evaluate real-world case studies to understand scientific, regulatory, and strategic decision-making.
  • Gain insight into how emerging modalities are shaping the future of drug development across oncology, immunology, and rare diseases.

Course Information

2.00 units
TBD

Course sessions

Please contact the Science & Technology department at 858-534-3400 or appliedscience@ucsd.edu for information about this course and upcoming sections.