2017 Volume 13 Issue 2 Pages 2_127-2_134
Recently, the drug discovery model in which academic researchers lead the entire process of drug discovery research, from target/lead discovery to compound optimization－so-called "academic drug discovery" -has been highlighted. We examine the background and current status of academic drug discovery from each standpoint of industry, universities, and government. Since 2009, the number of academic drug discovery projects in Japan has rapidly increased. This phenomenon has not been supported by industry, but mainly led by the Japanese government aiming at increasing international competitiveness of Japanese drug discovery and development, and the independent initiatives of universities that are expected to make social contributions. However, the development of many of the drug candidates that were created by academic drug discovery since 2009 has been terminated or suspended without being successfully out-licensed despite that most of the compounds in these projects have been small molecules in the oncology area, which many pharmaceutical companies have focused on. We discuss the issues and directions of academic drug discovery mainly about each role of industry, universities, and government.
