b'Asisoftenthecasewithnoveltherapeuticapproaches,thepathtosuccess includes numerous failures, where different therapeutic ONs did not stand the test of time. Since the approval of the first ON drug fomivirsen for clinical use in 1998, the therapeutic landscape has undergone significant change, and while challenges remain for the full realization of potential for this new form of medicine, researchers are making strides towards a clinical reality. As of 2016, several antisense drugs have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): fomivirsen (mentioned above) as a treatment for cytomegalovirus retinitis, mipomersen for homozygousfamilialhypercholesterolemia,eteplirsenforDuchennemuscular dystrophy, and nusinersen for spinal muscular atrophy.As you can see, the landscape of drug discovery and early phase development is brimming with new methods and advancements in technology. As with any novel approach, particularly in the field of human health intervention, challenges lie ahead, but the drug development industry is facing those challenges head-on, applying learnings, and adapting as we progress along the path from discovery to treatment.Ifyouhavemoleculesinearlyphasedevelopment,contacttheexpertsat Altasciences today to see how we can support your program. At Altasciences, we pride ourselves on offering services that support novel treatments, ensuring that you have access to the scientific and operational experts that can help move your drug through the development paradigm.REFERENCES1.American Society for Microbiology, New Approaches to Microbiome-based Therapeis.https://msystems.asm.org/content/4/3/e00122-19#sec-2 2. Gene Therapy Net. https://www.genetherapynet.com 3. Human Gene Therapy, Oligonucleotide Therapies: The Past and the Present.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4554547/ 4. Science Direct, Fecal Microbiota Transplantation.https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/fecal-microbiota-transplantation 5. Science Direct, Targeted Protein Degradation Mechanisms.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S17406749183004416. The Conversation UK, Antisense Therapy, a Promising New Way to Treat Neurological Disease.https://theconversation.com/antisense-therapy-a-promising-new-way-to-treat-neurological-disease-89006 7. U.S. National Library of Medicine, Genetics Home Reference.https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/therapy/genetherapy'