Medicinal chemistry offers wide range of laboratory opportunities in pharmaceutical, biotechnological and medical device companies.This field connect many scientific disciplines in order to research and develop new drugs.

1. Medicinal Chemistry: all you need to know
Summary:
The field of Medicinal chemistry offers a wide range of laboratory opportunities in pharmaceutical, biotechnological, and medical
device companies. Most chemists use their research abilities to formulate, produce, characterize, and investigate new compounds for
particular applications. The field connects many scientific disciplines to facilitate collaboration with scientists from those fields in
order to research and develop new drugs.
Medicinal chemistry connects many scientific disciplines to facilitate collaboration with scientists from those fields in order to
research and develop new drugs. The field of Medicinal chemistry offers a wide range of laboratory opportunities in pharmaceutical,
biotechnological, and medical device companies. Medicinal chemists focus on drug discovery and development and take concern in
isolating medicinal agents found in plants and the creation of new synthetic drug compounds as well. Most chemists use their
research abilities to formulate, produce, characterize, and investigate new compounds for particular applications. Most chemists in
conventional research careers are Ph.D. holders, while chemists having B.S. degrees usually serve as research technicians.
Medicinal chemistry is an inspiring field that connects many scientific disciplines to facilitate collaboration with scientists from those
fields in order to research and develop new drugs.

3. Applying their chemistry expertise, medicinal chemists work in processing of synthesizing new pharmaceuticals. They also work for improving
the processes that make existing pharmaceuticals. Medicinal chemists focus on drug discovery and development and take concern in isolating
medicinal agents found in plants and the creation of new synthetic drug compounds as well.
Education:
• Most chemists in conventional research careers are Ph.D. holders, while chemists having B.S. degrees usually serve as research technicians.
Pharmaceutical companies generally, hire people having research exposure, advanced degrees in organic chemistry or biochemistry, and at
least two years of post-doctoral experience. There are a number of universities like National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education &
Research, University of Florida, University of Minnesota etc. that have medicinal chemistry departments, in association with biological
chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, or pharmacy programs.
Career Paths:
• Many medicinal chemists begin their career in the laboratory. They can work various laboratory career such as, formulation chemistry,
process chemistry, quality control or quality assurance.
• Research and development into how different chemicals affect biological systems
• Drug development that include formulation of drugs used to treat patients
• Testing possible new bio-active compounds in patient populations

4. They may also work in non-laboratory careers as in regulatory affairs, intellectual property, project management, or
technology transfer.
Workspace:
The field of Medicinal chemistry offers a wide range of laboratory opportunities in pharmaceutical, biotechnological,
and medical device companies. Most chemists use their research abilities to formulate, produce, characterize, and
investigate new compounds for particular applications. However, each lab setting is unique in respect to daily
activities and career opportunities. In certain cases, laboratory work is not always essential, for example, while
reviewing drug applications at the FDA.
Future Employment Trends:
Due to changing economy and government health care reform regulations, the forecast for this field is mixed.
Pharmaceutical firms have been downsizing their research laboratories, merging with other firms, and outsourcing
research for several years. Some outsourcing has also taken place overseas; this in turn reduces opportunities for
domestic pharmaceutical jobs. Small firms and contract research firms are some of the more promising places
offering employment in medicinal chemistry.

5. Key Points
• Medicinal chemists work in processing of synthesizing new pharmaceuticals.
• Pharmaceutical companies generally, hire people having research exposure, advanced degrees in
organic chemistry or biochemistry, and at least two years of post-doctoral experience.
• Medicinal chemists focus on drug discovery and development.
• They also take concern in isolating medicinal agents found in plants and the creation of new
synthetic drug compounds as well.
• They may also work in non-laboratory careers as in regulatory affairs, intellectual property,
project management, or technology transfer.
Published by Brainware University