Drug Discovery Process Training ‘Target to Candidate’ – University of Dundee

What is a drug? How are drugs designed? How does a drug navigate in the body to its desired target? What is a drug target? 

In November 2025 FAILSAFE ran a comprehensive fully funded online course in partnership with the Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) at the University of Dundee, designed to provide scientists and early-career researchers with a practical understanding of the drug discovery process. The course, delivered from 17th to 28th November 2025, consisted of three hours of interactive content per day over two weeks via Microsoft Teams, and was free to attend for those working in drug discovery or related fields.

​The DDU has extensive experience in training scientists and clinicians worldwide through a combination of online and in-person courses, placements in Dundee, and a comprehensive suite of online resources (available here). Their programs have supported researchers and institutions in developing drug discovery capabilities.

Course Overview

The course was structured to guide participants through the journey of a drug project, from initial idea to pre-clinical candidacy. Led by experts from both academia and industry, it included a blend of interactive talks, workshops, and tutorials, sharing real-life examples, successes, failures, and challenges faced in the drug discovery space.​

Key Topics Covered

Throughout the course, participants engaged with a range of critical topics, including:

• Screening methods and technologies
• Hit validation and optimisation
• Structure-based drug discovery
• In vitro and in vivo DMPK (Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics)
• Lead optimisation
• Mode of action
• Pre-clinical follow-up​

Delivery and Audience

The course was delivered online, making it accessible to a global audience. It was open to scientists aiming to work in drug discovery or adjacent fields, with a focus on PhD and early-stage researchers. The interactive format encouraged active participation and practical learning.​

This course provided a valuable opportunity to learn directly from leading experts and gain insight into the multidisciplinary nature of drug discovery, preparing participants for future roles in this dynamic field.

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