Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
None except registration on level 3 of appropriate programme.
CHEM3416 Medicinal Chemistry
This module is not approved as a discovery module
On completion of this module students will be able to demonstrate and understand late stage drug optimisation through to clinical trials by considering case studies of drugs that have been developed to treat diseases such as for infectious diseases, and by critically examining the literature.
The objective of this module is to provide students with exposure to the key aspects of the drug development process, using examples from the pharmaceutical industry.
These key aspects include:
(a) an understanding of the medicinal chemistry processes required to optimise a drug candidate
(b) how a drug candidate progresses through late-lead optimisation to clinical trials
(c) a knowledge of anti-infective drug discovery with case studies from the pharmaceutical industry and academia.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning:
1. Explain and rationalise the principles of optimising drug from late-lead to clinical trials.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the anti-infective drug discovery with case studies from the pharmaceutical industry and academia.
3. Select, examine and critique a significant body of research literature and other sources of information, citing and referencing the sources used. Use the literature to maintain currency of knowledge, extend learning and support the development of solutions to specified problems.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills :
a. Confidently approach unknown problems
b. Communicate effectively using a written report
1) Traditional medicinal chemistry (Design-Make-Test cycles, classic reactions)
2) Metabolism (Phase I and II processes, AO metabolism, blocking strategies)
3) An introduction to antibiotic drug discovery
4) Multiparameter lead optimisation (‘traffic-light’ systems, selection criteria, balancing physicochemical properties)
5) An introduction to antiviral drug discovery
6) Translation from late-lead to marketable drug (preclinical development, Phase I, II and III clinical trials, new drug approval
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 22 | 1 | 22 |
| Private study hours | 78 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 22 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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