Drug Candidate

A compound that has successfully completed lead optimization and is selected for advancement into IND-enabling studies and subsequent clinical development. Must demonstrate an acceptable balance of potency, selectivity, PK properties, safety margins, and manufacturability. Typically only 1-2 drug candidates emerge from thousands of initial screening hits per program.

例

• Candidate nomination for Phase I clinical trial
• Backup candidate in case of primary candidate failure
• Development candidate profile: IC50 <10 nM, F >30%, t1/2 >4h