Translational product development: Applying advances in physical chemistry and materials science to enhance drug discovery and development output

YCC 14

Patrick Connelly, patrick_connelly@vrtx.com, Materials Discovery and Characterization, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, 130 Waverly Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
To address shortcomings in the overall efficiency and success rate of new drug introductions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, a number of new technologies have been introduced in the last 10-15 years.  The success of these technologies has been variable.  In this presentation, it is argued that the most successful technologies are those in which the purveyor applies them at the appropriate time - a time when the gap between fundamental science and product development can be effectively bridged to produce products.  When the gap is too wide, large investments in capital and time are required to obtain only incremental gains in product output.  When the gap is too narrow, the underlying technology is already "commoditized"  and the knowledge of its use widely disseminated, leaving little  or no competitive advantage to the users.  Gauging when the fundamental science - product development gap is poised for bridging with an innovative technology is a key decision - one that if made correctly, can drive product development and lend a competitive advantage.  Recent advances in physical chemistry and materials science can be leveraged to enhance the success rate and efficiency of new small molecule drugs.