2025 Volume 35 Issue 4 Pages 231-235
This article presents a case study from Takeda’s global COVID-19 drug discovery initiative, demonstrating how diverse approaches and creative perspectives were effectively applied during the lead generation stage. By collaborating across Takeda research sites and external partners, the team leveraged computational chemistry to design non-covalent inhibitors targeting conserved regions of the coronavirus (CoV) main proteases (Mpro). This strategy enabled the discovery of lead compounds with pan-coronavirus Mpro inhibitory activity across multiple CoV strains. The project exemplifies how structural insights and scientific innovation intersect with strategic team management. Behind the creative output was an environment shaped by thoughtful leadership─respecting individual strengths, assigning roles accordingly, and guiding decision-making through scientific evidence. The findings highlight that team diversity, combined with adaptive and data-driven leadership, plays a critical role in accelerating innovation under urgent global conditions.
