A lead compound in the drug discovery process is a compound that has expected biological activity found in the early discovery stage. Drug seeds are developed later from the lead compound by the chemical modification to improve the potency and down-regulate the side effects, which is called lead optimization step.

Often referred to as bulk pharmaceuticals. The FDA defines API as any substance or mixture of substances intended to be used in the manufacture of a drug product and that, when used in the production of a drug, becomes an active ingredient in the drug product.

A drug also known as qinghaosu, used to treat malaria, derived from the sweet wormwood plant, Artemisia annua. The artemisinin metabolic pathway was engineered into yeast to produce a precursor and its subsequent chemical conversion into artemisinin provided a cheaper source of the drug than conventional chemical synthesis.

A glycoprotein produced and released by a B-lymphocyte (B-cell) in response to a foreign antigen. The antibody can recognize and bind the antigen. An antibody drug is the drug which eliminates target or inhibits function of target protein taking advantage of specific binding property.

A compound that induces the formation of a specific antibody.

When the immune System mistakenly identifies its own tissues as foreign, and attacks them, causing tissue damage and inflammation.

Standardised DNA Sequences that can be used as modular building blocks to rapidly create more complex sequences.

DIY synthetic biology carried out by individuals and small groups, often as part of a community, rather than large research institutions.

iofuel:

A regulatory term that refers to any virus, therapeutic serum, toxin, antitoxin, vaccine, blood, blood derivative, blood component, monoclonal antibody, somatic cell gene therapy product or allergenic product used to prevent, treat or cure injuries or diseases in humans.