
PHAR 480 Drug Discovery and Development
This survey course covers the life-cycle of a pharmaceutical product including, drug discovery, development, and its transition to a generic or over-the-counter medication. Specific themes include target identification, design and synthesis, in vitro and in vivo efficacy determination, biochemical and biological optimization, preclinical safety assessment, clinical trials, and generics and over-the-counter medications as well as the social and economic pressures exerted upon the pharmaceutical industry.
For non-BHSc students
DDHT 459/3.0 and DDHT 460/3.0
This course cannot be used as credit towards the Life Sciences Specialization Plan (DDHT)
After completing PHAR 480, students will be able to:
- Develop solutions to drug discovery/development problems to discuss either orally or in writing solutions to these problems.
- Critically analyze the social and economic implications of legislative decisions pertaining to the pharmaceutical industry to argue a particular side of this these decisions.
- To develop and refine professional interpersonal communication skills
- To develop an understanding of the biologic, social, and economic constraints that influence drug discovery and drug development.
- Communicator
- Scholar
- Professional
- Collaborator
All assessments will be graded using marking rubrics.
Assessment 1: Ensuring a Viable Pharmaceutical Industry (10%)
Assessment 2: Justifying Lead Chemical Selection (15%)
Assessment 3: Drug Safety Decision Assessment (20%)
Assessment 4: Special Topics in Drug Discovery (15%)
Assessment 5: Final Exam (40%)
9–10 hours a week (108–120 hours per term).
Required Texts
PHAR 480 course notes via modules posted online and the instructor will provide published review articles.