Preclinical Drug Discovery Immersive

Learn about Preclinical Drug Discovery 

This 5-day immersive course provides an in-depth examination of the essential elements involved in developing new therapeutic drugs. Emphasizing preclinical discovery and development, the curriculum covers the critical requirements for progressing a program to clinical entry. Students will analyze strategies for identifying optimal drug targets and selecting key molecules that effectively modulate these targets. The course addresses fundamental aspects of pharmacology and drug safety, as well as the preparation necessary for Investigational New Drug (IND) and regulatory submissions. Additionally, students will explore career paths within biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, gain insight into portfolio management, and evaluate strategic business considerations related to program advancement or discontinuation.

Key Themes

1. Target Identification and Validation
2. Hit Discovery and Lead Identification
3. Preclinical Pharmacology and Safety Assessment
4. IND, Regulatory and Clinical Strategy, and Business Case
5. Future Trends, Career Opportunities, and Class Simulation

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to: 

• Understand the stages and processes intrinsic to drug discovery and the progression from target discovery through successful approval to initiate clinical studies.
• Recognize fundamental elements required for identifying and validating appropriate targets, integrating emerging technologies such as AI, and incorporating modalities and next generation approaches to address challenging disease biology.
• Demonstrate familiarity with early screening workflows, from identifying target hits to chemistry and antibody engineering, as well as conducting early biology, metabolism, and safety assessments to profile lead candidates.
• Describe the advancement of molecules through preclinical phases, encompassing in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, disease modeling (in vivo and ex vivo), and toxicological and safety evaluations.
• Articulate the components involved in Regulatory submissions as programs prepare for clinical transition.
• Evaluate portfolio management strategies and business considerations for continuing or discontinuing preclinical programs.
• Review and discuss diverse career paths within Industry, including how to leverage relevant experiences for both preclinical and clinical positions.

Prerequisites

There are no required prerequisites for this course. Students are encouraged to have a foundational understanding of biology, chemistry, pharmacology, or related life sciences prior to enrollment. Familiarity with basic concepts in life sciences will support successful engagement with the material. Professional or academic experience in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or healthcare is helpful but not required.

Format

The Preclinical Drug Discovery Immersive Course comprises five full days of in-person instruction on the UC San Diego campus. Each day will focus on a specific theme relevant to preclinical drug discovery. Each day will consist of four modules, each lasting 1.5–2 hours and focusing on core topics for the themes. Lunch and two breaks are scheduled. The final day features a team simulation combining concepts of drug discovery, roles, timelines, and responses to real-world challenges, emphasizing communication and problem-solving.

All enrolled students will receive access to the course material online, through Canvas, on the start date.