Redefining Drug Discovery: A Review of Drug Repurposing –Approaches, Benefits and Breakthroughs

International Journal of Pharmacy and Biomedical Engineering

© 2025 by SSRG - IJPBE Journal

Volume 12 Issue 3

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : Shaharban K, Nethaji Ramalingam, Arathi T P, Jinisha E.K, Farsana T

10.14445/23942576/IJPBE-V12I3P101

How to Cite?

Shaharban K, Nethaji Ramalingam, Arathi T P, Jinisha E.K, Farsana T, "Redefining Drug Discovery: A Review of Drug Repurposing –Approaches, Benefits and Breakthroughs," SSRG International Journal of Pharmacy and Biomedical Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 3, pp. 1-9, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942576/IJPBE-V12I3P101

Abstract:

The pharmaceutical industry uses drug repurposing or drug repositioning as an innovative method to find new medical uses for existing medications that are already on the market. The method has gained widespread acceptance because it provides a speedier and more budget-friendly solution to traditional drug development, which often takes years and costs substantial amounts. The process of drug repurposing uses existing safety information and pharmacokinetic data to decrease development risks while making treatments available more quickly, especially during public health crises. This review examines the historical development of drug repurposing, its benefits, and current experimental and computational methods for drug repurposing. This review explains how regulatory and intellectual property barriers restrict the widespread adoption of this technology. This review also considers some case studies about Sildenafil, Thalidomide, and Remdesivir to demonstrate how successful drug repositioning can be achieved. The growing importance of drug repurposing becomes evident through its applications in pandemic situations, neglected diseases, and worldwide health challenges. The scientific field of drug repurposing has transformed from accidental discovery to a structured discipline that will revolutionize disease treatment methods through advances in artificial intelligence, multi-omics, and international partnerships.

Keywords:

Computational Approaches, Drug Repositioning, Drug Repurposing, Pharmaceutical Innovation, Therapeutic Development.

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