With in-house resources that include molecular design, medicinal and analytical chemistry, neurochemistry and behavioral pharmacology, we are able to screen compounds at every stage of discovery, from in vitro to in vivo testing. We use technologies such as high throughput screening and parallel chemistry to optimize potential lead compounds and make the discovery process more efficient.

Our R&D departments include:

Molecular Design: Focuses on the development of cutting-edge computational drug design tools and the design of novel compounds selective for specific NNR subtypes.

Medicinal Chemistry: Conceives and synthesizes novel small molecules for evaluation as product candidates.

Pharmaceutical Development and Outsourcing: Supports the other groups by performing additional research activities to facilitate the advancement of product candidates from discovery to development and manages the contract manufacturing of our product candidates.

Neurochemistry, Electrophysiology and High Throughput Screening (HTS): Evaluates our new chemical entities. HTS supports Targacept's efforts by conducting the initial screening and characterization of compounds for our programs.

Behavioral Pharmacology: Utilizes clinically relevant animal models to evaluate pharmacological effects of novel NNR ligands for their potential as product candidates for use in treating human psychiatric and neurological disorders.

Preclinical Safety Assessment: Manages all studies by Targacept's Board Certified Toxicologists or conducted through contract research organizations.

Clinical Development & Regulatory Affairs: Advances compounds from first-in-man to proof-of-efficacy and moves the most promising compounds through additional clinical development to marketing approval.