siRNAs in drug discovery: target validation and beyond

Abstract

'Omics' technologies, combined with knowledge management, have changed the way pharmaceutical companies approach drug discovery activities. The rapid generation of more reliable putative drug targets from gain- or loss-of-function genome scale screens means that there is a strong need to filter and prioritize targets that will be considered in the drug discovery process. Short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) can be used to validate genomic drug targets. The outlook for this approach is promising, provided that special attention is given to the use of optimal reagents and to careful development of animal models.