Lead Discovery

Once a target has been selected, the next stage of the drug discovery process is hit identification and lead discovery. This involves developing biologically-relevant assays to identify active molecules in biochemical and/or cell-based assays. To maximize the probability of hit discovery and subsequent lead identification, multiple screening techniques are required to engage and confirm findings orthogonally. Lead compounds are selected from a collection of hits by refining the screening criteria to enable the selection of the most promising compounds for further development.

Revvity’s drug discovery screening solutions can help identify and confirm your drug compounds quickly and efficiently to advance them to the next stage. With our reliable and validated screening assays, multimode plate readers, state-of-the-art high-content imaging instruments, integrated automation for liquid handling, and powerful analysis software, our portfolio brings consistent, accurate, physiologically relevant results that support faster lead discovery and impactful breakthroughs so you can gain more confidence in your findings.

Key benefits include:

  • Advanced solutions for high-throughput and compound screening
  • Precision in lead identification to enhance drug development
  • Comprehensive chemical library screening tools
  • State-of-the-art technologies for efficient lead discovery processes
  • Support for accelerating the transition from discovery to development


For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Lead Discovery

Target based screening

Target-based drug discovery requires a hypothesis on the mechanism of action of the disease, which requires the identification a druggable target. This compound-first approach is focused on a drug target, a gene product that provides a starting point for invention of a therapeutic which modulates its expression, function, or activity. It often starts with large biochemical screens against the purified target, overexpressed target in a cell line or other molecular modifications to follow compound interaction.

Target-based drug discovery requires a hypothesis on the mechanism of action of the disease, which requires the identification a druggable target. This compound-first approach is focused on a drug target, a gene product that provides a starting point for invention of a therapeutic which modulates its expression, function, or activity. It often starts with large biochemical screens against the purified target, overexpressed target in a cell line or other molecular modifications to follow compound interaction.

Phenotypic screening

In phenotypic drug discovery, compounds are identified without knowledge of or bias toward a specific molecular target. This agnostic or mechanism-first approach uses biological assays with translational biomarkers as functional readouts. Phenotypic testing requires a relevant biological model of the disease, for example cell lines showing the disease phenotype or patient-derived cells. Compounds are selected for further characterization based on their ability to revert the disease phenotype to the healthy phenotype.

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In phenotypic drug discovery, compounds are identified without knowledge of or bias toward a specific molecular target. This agnostic or mechanism-first approach uses biological assays with translational biomarkers as functional readouts. Phenotypic testing requires a relevant biological model of the disease, for example cell lines showing the disease phenotype or patient-derived cells. Compounds are selected for further characterization based on their ability to revert the disease phenotype to the healthy phenotype.

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