3- project initiation

Question 1

what kind of assessments are made at the beginning of the project initiation? list 3 things and what drug companies really target

Answer 1

• market analysis → test to see what kinds of markets exist, demands
• competitive assessment → existing products on the market?
• research analysis → look at what is known from research in related areas, do the resources exist?
• drug companies target markets, not disease

Question 2

what kind of market analysis is done? there are 4 things to look for::

Answer 2

• number of potential customers
• type of potential customers
• nature of disease
• current treatment

Question 3

what kinds of drugs sell the most? chronic or acute?:

Answer 3

chronic (more profitable)

Question 4

there are 4 things needed to be assessed during the feasibility study, what are they?

Answer 4

• disease well understood?
• mechanism of disease understood?
• biochemical tools available?
• are there existing drugs?

Question 5

who makes the most money on the market, in terms of drugs?

Answer 5

• 1st drug on market makes most money

- 3rd onwards are likely to lose money

Question 6

for the biochemical studies, what does proof of principle mean?

Answer 6

• does it have a chance to work?

- is there experimental evidence showing the drug could work?

Question 7

for biochemical studies, what are drug testing methods?

Answer 7

• several methods developed (fast, accurate, biologically relevant)
• different tests available depending on the stage that you are at

Question 8

for biochemical studies, what are the development of animal models?

Answer 8

• create/exaggerate disease state in animals to magnify the conditions
• test on as few animals as possible