Pharma IQ Glossary: Preclinical Studies

Preclinical Studies refers to the rigorous testing and evaluation stage after a compound has been identified as promising. This stage is designed to assess the chemical properties of the new drug as well as to determine the steps for synthesis and purification. In this stage, the toxicity and pharmacological effects of the drug are evaluated through in vitro and in vivo animal testing. These studies are both short and long-term. Typically, the drug is tested in a rodent and non-rodent because a drug may affect different species in different ways.