AstraZeneca's chief scientist views collaboration in the new era of drug discovery

The pharmaceutical industry must ensure an improved record of delivery by providing high quality, cost effective solutions to well defined unmet needs. This can be achieved through strategic collaborations that strengthen disease knowledge and provide improved tools to strengthen therapeutic target validation and to monitor therapeutic efficacy, says Andy Dray, chief scientist at Anglo-Swedish drug major AstraZeneca. A speaker at the marcus evans Discovery Summit 2010, due to take place in Las Vegas, USA, September 19-21, Dr Dray shares his enthusiasm for collaborative clinical research and the solutions they offer to many pharmaceutical industry challenges to maximize their return on investment in new drug development in an interview with the organizers.

How can the challenge of revealing therapeutic compounds be conquered?

Andy Dray: “Large pharmaceutical companies are understandably reluctant to reveal their therapeutic compounds, to protect their intellectually property and the composition of the compounds. This attitude is gradually changing, and we are overcoming this mindset. Certain companies, including AstraZeneca, are allowing some compounds that show desirable properties (safety, exposure and target engagement) to be utilized for broader clinic investigation at a reduced cost.