NCATS pharmaceutical collections helps uncover new uses for existing drugs

The NCATS Pharmaceutical Collection is a comprehensive, publicly accessible collection of approved molecular entities for high-throughput screening that provides a valuable resource for both validating new models of disease and better understanding the molecular basis of diseases and interventions.

Nearly 3,000 small molecular entities have been approved for clinical use by U.S., European Union, Japanese, Australian and Canadian authorities and also are suitable for high-throughput screening. Of these, NCATS currently has 2,900 as part of its screening collection.

The collection already has generated several useful probes for studying a diverse cross section of biology, including novel targets and pathways. NCATS provides access to the collection’s content through the Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases program and the Toxicology in the 21st Century initiative. A dedicated online browser enables searching and exporting. NCATS makes regular updates to the browser to improve features and content. Download the latest version (link is external).

Sources for the current collection include traditional chemical suppliers, specialty collections, pharmacies and custom synthesis. All data generated through this effort are deposited in PubChem, including the full concentration-response profile of each compound in each assay. Detailed information on the sourcing of the collection, including regulatory status, supplier information, compound structures, target information and indication, are made available as time permits.

View the infographic on the NCATS Pharmaceutical Collection to learn more.

Image source: NIH/NCATS

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