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Drug Hunting: The Science of Making New Medicines

In collaboration with Davidson College, this specialization is intended for a graduate level audience with a life sciences background seeking to learn about preclinical drug discovery. Preclinical drug discovery is a complex, challenging, and iterative hunt for novel new medicines to address the unmet medical needs of patients. The science and considerations behind this endeavor are covered in this online specialization composed of 6 courses, which begins with an Introduction to Drug Hunting, followed by in-depth discussions of Targets, Assays and Screening, Lead Selection and Optimization, Pharmacokinetics, Preclinical Safety, and Preformulation. The specialization is self-paced, with each course comprised of short 5-minute videos covering selected topics, accompanied by additional readings and problems designed to reinforce and deepen understanding of those topics.

Status: Biochemistry
Status: Biochemical Assays
IntermediateSpecialization

Top reviews across Drug Hunting: The Science of Making New Medicines

Reviewed Sep 19, 2024
Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting

I love how concise it is. The structure is incredibly well done. Thank you!

Reviewed Jun 22, 2025
Course: Targets, Assays & Screening

Great course. Clear explanations and very easy to digest materials. Thanks to the entire team

Reviewed Sep 7, 2024
Course: Pharmacokinetics

Amazing course for people intending to pursue higher studies in the field of pharmacology

Reviewed Aug 6, 2024
Course: Preclinical Safety

excellent overview, very concise yet full of practical and useful information

Reviewed Sep 3, 2024
Course: Lead Selection & Optimization

Key concepts covered in a concise and accessible format.

Reviewed Jul 2, 2025
Course: Pre-formulation

This course is well-structured to help people understand the drug development process

Reviewed Oct 6, 2025
Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting

Just the right pace and level of detail to support my introductory understanding

Reviewed Jun 24, 2025
Course: Targets, Assays & Screening

this course is very well designed. it really cleared my concepts and equipped me with sufficient knowledge and guide about target and assays

Reviewed May 28, 2026
Course: Pharmacokinetics

Good, straightforward high level introduction to the PK/PD world

Reviewed Aug 3, 2024
Course: Preclinical Safety

The Course is very useful to those interested in understanding the principles of Pre-clinical Safety. I completed the course quickly in three sittings due to my prior exposure to this area.

Reviewed Nov 30, 2024
Course: Lead Selection & Optimization

It is a perfect course with ample knowledge and testing of knowledge by quizzes and discussions.

Reviewed Nov 20, 2024
Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting

Great introduction - accessible and clear, even for a none scientist

Learner reviews across Drug Hunting: The Science of Making New Medicines

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Dave
Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed Oct 23, 2024Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
I.P
Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed Dec 29, 2025Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
mehrab
Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed Sep 8, 2026Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
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Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed May 16, 2025Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
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Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed Aug 5, 2025Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
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Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed Oct 7, 2025Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
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Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed Aug 29, 2024Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
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Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed Sep 20, 2024Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
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Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed Nov 21, 2024Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
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Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed Apr 1, 2025Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
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Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed Aug 25, 2024Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
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Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed Dec 7, 2024Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
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Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed Nov 23, 2025Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
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Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed Jul 26, 2024Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
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Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed Aug 1, 2024Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
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Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed May 18, 2025Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
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Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed Sep 11, 2026Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
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Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed Apr 4, 2026Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
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Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed May 17, 2025Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting
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Course: Introduction to Drug HuntingReviewed Dec 3, 2025Course: Introduction to Drug Hunting