What is the Role of Serendipity in Discovery of New Drugs?
Keywords:
serendipity, serendipitous discovery, synthetic drugs, phenolphthalein, sulfonamides, chlorpromazine, mechlorethamine, disulfiram, warfarin, sulfonylureas, benzodiazepines, cisplatin, omeprazole, quinolones, minoxidil, cyclosporine, metformin, sildenafil, acyclic nucleoside phosphonates, terfenadine, fexofenadine, ibrutinibAbstract
Serendipity is still one of the factors involved in drug discovery. Historically it has played a role in the discovery of a range of drugs that have had a great impact on the human therapy. This review presents 20 case studies of such serendipitous drug discoveries selected either for their importance in therapy or other interesting features. Of course, the selection is strictly subjective and many other examples could be added.