Successful implementation of automation in medicinal chemistry.

Automation in medicinal chemistry is often seen simply as a part of the combinatorial chemistry technologies used to meet the need for large, diverse screening collections for lead generation. However, the application of automation to the lead optimization phase of drug discovery offers the prospect of reduced cycle times via increased efficiency in target compound preparation. The realization of this goal requires the integration of efficient processes with equipment capable of delivering quality compounds - and, of course, the skilled medicinal chemists.