Strategies and tactics for optimizing the Hit-to-Lead process and beyond--a computational chemistry perspective.

The Hit-to-Lead-to-Candidate process continues to evolve rapidly, and while technological advances offer much potential, the reality often pales to the promise. Conversely, strategies and tactics implementing existing technologies may result in more benefit in the end. This article focuses on some of the thinking and approaches that may improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the beginnings of the drug discovery path.