The discovery of small molecules involves several steps, including:
1. Target Identification: Determining which protein or pathway to target. 2. High-Throughput Screening: Testing thousands of compounds to find those that interact with the target. 3. Lead Optimization: Refining the structure of the initial hits to improve their efficacy and safety. 4. Preclinical and Clinical Trials: Testing the optimized compounds in animals and humans to assess their therapeutic potential.
