1. Drug design has evolved from using natural products to more rational approaches using bioinformatics tools. Key steps include identifying disease targets, finding compounds that bind to targets, refining compounds' activity and side effects, and using computer modeling to predict compounds' properties.
2. High-throughput screening allows testing millions of compounds against targets to find initial active compounds. Computational models can then predict additional active compounds and help refine lead compounds.
3. Combinatorial chemistry and large databases of compounds enable creating and testing many compounds in silico and in vitro before animal testing to increase success.