9.7

Concluding Remarks

It has been observed that robust and validated biomarkers are the need of the hour for

improving and providing an effective diagnosis, monitoring desired drug activity

and therapeutic response. Such an approach provides precise guidance for the

development of safer and targeted therapies for various chronic diseases. While

different types of biomarkers have been found to be useful in the field of drug

discovery and development, it is imperative to note that the process of identifying,

testing, analysing and validating disease-specific biomarkers needs specific attention

and has been quite challenging. Reverse translational research integrated techniques,

with recent advanced methodologies such as multiple ‘omics’ (multi-omics)

approaches (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, cytometry and

imaging), have made it quite possible in providing the acceleration to the research

towards the discovery and development of specific biomarkers for complex and

chronic diseases.

Although focused research in drug discovery has many challenges like high

budget, personnel skills and the resource requirement, it is expected that reverse

translational research is one of the important strategies to be considered. The novel

biomarkers may eventually assist in providing an optimal decision-making during

the course of drug development from initiation of conception to commercialisation.

This is also likely to open the pathway to an effective implementation of

personalised therapies for various complex and chronic diseases.

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