DRUG REPURPOSING: A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO ACCELERATE DRUG DEVELOPMENT - REVIEW ARTICLE

Sultan Mohammed Algfari*, Osamah Musa Almutairi and Fahad Eid Alharbi

ABSTRACT

Background: The pharmaceutical industry faces significant challenges, including declining productivity in drug development and a growing gap between therapeutic needs and available treatments. The lengthy and costly process of developing new drugs, combined with high attrition rates, necessitates innovative strategies for drug discovery. Aim: This review explores drug repurposing as a strategic approach to expedite drug development by leveraging existing therapies for new therapeutic applications. Methods: The article analyzes advancements in computational pharmacology, focusing on three key areas: predicting drug-target interactions (DTIs), identifying potential adverse effects, and drug repurposing methodologies. Key databases and resources facilitating computational pharmacology are also discussed. Results: The integration of diverse data sources enables the identification of novel therapeutic applications for existing drugs, addressing the urgent need for treatments for rare diseases. Additionally, computational methods enhance the understanding of drug mechanisms and adverse effects, potentially reducing therapeutic failures. Conclusion: Drug repurposing offers a promising pathway to accelerate drug development, optimizing resource utilization while improving patient outcomes. Future research should continue to refine computational approaches and leverage rich datasets to enhance drug discovery efficiency.

Keywords: drug repurposing, computational pharmacology, drug-target interactions, adverse effects, rare diseases