Considerations for Target Validation and Industrial Approaches

Target validation in health and disease integrates the modulation of a certain molecular target with an expected biological/biochemical/physiological or pathophysiological response or effect. The current state-of-the-art in target validation requires the interface of multiple complementary approaches and technologies to define the mechanistic connectivity between a molecular target and underlying micro- and macrobiotic processes. Target validation also represents the basis for “drug target validation” with focus on therapeutic applications. The concepts of “target validation” and “drug-based therapeutic intervention” continue to coevolve as new classes of therapeutic agents and delivery systems emerge and enable us to target or modulate previously inaccessible molecular entities.