Advances of the Target-Based and Phenotypic Screenings and Strategies in Drug Discovery

Review Advances of the Target-Based and Phenotypic Screenings and Strategies in Drug Discovery Shoubao Wang 1,*, Zihan Wang1, Lianhua Fang1, Yang Lv2, and Guanhua Du1,* 1 Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Targets Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China. 2 Beijing Key Laboratory of Polymorphic Drugs, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China. * Correspondence: shoubaowang@imm.ac.cn (Shoubao Wang); dugh@imm.ac.cn (Guanhua Du).     Received: 8 November 2022 Accepted: 15 November 2022 Published: 21 December 2022   Abstract: Drug discovery and development is a complex and expensive process. There are two approaches, phenotypic and target-based approaches, each holding different advantages for screening novel drug candidates when pursuing successful marketing authorization. However, the attrition rates of drug candidates continue to increase. In this review, we discuss recent successes and ongoing advances in phenotypic screening and target-based screening for drug discovery. We also explore how strategic and technological innovations may fuel new approaches in drug discovery. There are two approaches in drug discovery.