What will I learn?

  • What is a small molecule drug?

    Learn the difference between small molecules and large molecules. Learn how a single atom can change the properties of a small molecule.

  • Is it therapeutic?

    Learn how a small molecule is discovered and validated to show that it treats a disease or disorder. Also, learn why small molecules fail in the clinic.

  • Approved and marketed?

    Learn how a lead small molecule is selected and optimized before it is taken into the clinic. Learn about the clinical phase and how a small molecule is approved and marketed.

How will I learn?

This Small Molecule Drug course includes 6 lessons that explain the process a small molecule takes from the discovery phase through market approval. Learn the process and what can go wrong in the process.

  • 6 videos

  • 6 quizzes

  • 6 downloadable notes

Small Molecule Drugs

Course Curriculum

  • 1
    Welcome!
    • Welcome! Click here!
  • 2
    The small molecule market
    • Video (15:01): The Small Molecule Market
    • PDF (slides): The Small Molecule Market
    • Lesson Quiz: The Small Molecule Market
  • 3
    What is a small molecule
    • Video (34:13): What is a small molecule
    • PDF (slides): What is a small molecule
    • Lesson Quiz: What is a small molecule
    • Cumulative Quiz: What is a small molecule
  • 4
    Drug discovery process
    • Video (27:37): Drug discovery process
    • PDF (slides) Drug discovery process
    • Lesson Quiz: Drug discovery process
    • Cumulative Quiz: Drug discovery process
  • 5
    Getting to a "lead"
    • Video (25:29): Getting to a "lead"
    • PDF (slides): Getting to a "lead"
    • Lesson Quiz: Getting to a "lead"
    • Cumulative Quiz: Getting to a "lead"
  • 6
    Drug administered
    • Video (23:40): The Drug Administered
    • PDF (slides): The Drug Administered
    • Lesson Quiz: The Drug Administered
    • Cumulative Quiz: The Drug Administered
  • 7
    To the market
    • Video (12:17): To the Market
    • PDF (slides): To the market
    • Lesson Quiz: To the market
    • Cumulative Quiz: To the market
  • 8
    Final Exam
    • Final Exam
  • 9
    References
    • References
  • 10
    Bonus Content! Antibiotics
    • Video (6:47): Antibiotics
    • Slides: Antibiotics
  • 11
    Bonus Content! Degraders
    • Video (16:46): Degraders
    • Slides: Degraders