Developing Potential Medicines

After the drug discovery process produces a promising lead, that compound is still a long way from being ready for testing in human subjects.

In addition to developing new drug candidates from its own discovery organization, Lilly often enters into alliances to evaluate and develop high-potential drug candidates from other organizations.

In the development stage, Lilly scientists learn much more about how the new compound metabolizes in the body and intervenes in the disease. Is there a viable way to deliver the medical molecule to the biological target? How is this affected by chemical composition, the size of the molecule, and natural barriers within the body's tissues and organs? Should the delivery vehicle be an oral method, an injection, or something else? How fast is the drug released and distributed in the body?

Our researchers probe further to determine what dosage will be required for the medicine to be effective, and at what level it might be toxic to the patient. They also explore practical issues like whether Lilly will be able to manufacture the compound on a large-scale, and whether the compound will be stable enough to remain effective and safe in the patient's hands. All of this happens in preparation for the day when the first human dose can be administered.