The changes in synthetic and medicinal chemistry and related drug discovery science as practiced in big pharma over the past few decades are described. These have been predominantly driven by wider changes in society namely the computer, internet and globalisation. Thoughts about the future of medicinal chemistry are also discussed including sharing the risks and costs of drug discovery and the future of outsourcing. The continuing impact of access to substantial computing power and big data, the use of algorithms in data analysis and drug design are also presented. The next generation of medicinal chemists will communicate in ways that reflect social media and the results of constantly being connected to each other and data.

描述了过去几十年来大型制药公司实践的合成和药物化学以及相关药物发现科学的变化。这些主要是由计算机，互联网和全球化等社会广泛变革所驱动的。还讨论了有关药物化学未来的想法，包括分担发现药物的风险和成本以及外包的未来。还介绍了获得大量计算能力和大数据的持续影响，算法在数据分析和药物设计中的使用。下一代药物化学家将以反映社交媒体以及不断相互联系和数据连接的结果的方式进行交流。