As part of our drug development consultancy we often investigate alternative indications for technologies, we progress through the therapeutic pathway and think about where this drug/biological may have an effect be that positive or negative. Having just read an interesting article in Drug Discovery Today (Vol 13 (9/10) May 2008) by Watterson, Marshall and Ghazal. The article titles “logic models of pathway biology” looks at complex living systems and how logic can be used to determine how a drug will interact with the complex biologic pathways.
They describe computational models that comb the pathways for the upstream interactions that control downstream behaviour, allowing them to identify lead candidates for therapeutic treatments. They take the kind of literature based approach we follow to the next level studying proteins, genes and gene products.
Biological pathways can comprise one or more of the following:
- Metabolic pathways
- Molecular interactions
- Gene regulatory networks
- Signalling pathways
Whilst the researchers hear focus on Boolean Logic and computer modeling we hold that a good review of possible effects and pathways can be tackled using literature searches and scientific hypothesis. I would propose that any drug or biological agent should undergo a similar scrutiny to find new opportunities and highlight potential issues.
Where we look at biological systems they magnify the process, the target the same, an understanding of how a system operates. It is an interesting article that is well worth reading.
If you would like more detail in this area please get in touch with Damien Bové damien.bove@idaconsultants.com
Damien Bové works as a drug development consultant (pharmaceutical or biotechnology) and regulatory consultant, we work with our clients to define a drug development target, define a drug development strategy, define a regulatory strategy or define a commercial strategy. Our clients are generally raising funds or looking to license out their technology and we help them achieve it. If you want to know more don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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