Martin Blunck

Computer-aided target selection—prioritizing targets for antifungal drug discovery

The entire DNA sequence of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome was completed in 1996 and represents the first entirely decoded eukaryotic genome. Because major human pathogenic fungi such as Candida albicans are closely related to S. cerevisiae on a molecular level, the question arises as to how this new information can be used to identify and prioritize those genes that are most suitable as targets for antimycotic drug discovery. To tackle this challenge, a software tool called CATS (computer-aided target selection) was developed. The authors describe how it allows an automated and periodically updated assessment of all S. cerevisiae genes to be carried out with regard to their suitability as antifungal targets.

Comparison of some major information resources in pharmaceutical competitor tracking

Computerized information sources for competitor tracking provide invaluable intelligence resources in the environment of corporate R&D. The authors discuss needs and resources for tracking competitor development products, and compare the scope, strengths and weaknesses of some of the major commercially available databases. The vision of the ideal competitor information file is outlined together with the current, unfulfilled needs of industrial users.