Post Graduate Diploma/Executive Diploma in Drug Discovery and Development (PGDDDD/EDDDD)

The drug needs are changing rapidly and so is increasing the need of technically and professionally trained individuals with sound knowledge scientific attributes related to the field. The academic training in drug development forms the base but they need to be backed with professionals training. IGMPI serves this purpose well with its online learning programme in drug development and discovery.

The programme trains and guides the candidate through varied aspects of this industry to ensure a complete all round grooming of the aspirant. Producing only efficient and productive professionals for the industry is the only concern of this professional programme. Post Graduate Diploma/Executive Diploma programme by IGMPI adds to the candidate’s potential of entering into this industry by offering:

• Complete knowledge of the theoretical chapters (structural design, rational and combinatorial methods, drug target selection, etc.)
• Knowledge and training of practical drug designing tools
• Application and technicalities of drug development process
• Guidance by field experts during the programme and drug patenting
• Knowledge of global scenarios, scope and opportunities.
• Knowledge about the clinical trials, ethics and regulatory processes involved.

IGMPI programme promise to polish the skills of its candidates and make them job ready! The candidates are taught the techniques, given practical knowledge and accustomed to the varied on-field situations that might arise during their careers. All this is made possible with help of:

• Extensive programme material which has been designed by experts who are or have been contributing to the industry in the past;
• Numerous case studies which are a part of the programme;
• Intelligently aligned programme structure which gives step wise knowledge and insight of the industry and all its aspects.

Module 1: Introduction to Drug Design and Development

• Drug Discovery Process: General Introduction, Flow of Drug Discovery Process 
• Economics of Drug Discovery
  

Module 2: Cellular and Molecular Biology

• Structure and Function of Cell
• Cell Cycle, Cell Division and Cell Death
• Biomolecules: Nucleic Acids, Proteins, Carbohydrates and Lipids
• Receptors and Secondary Signalling

Module 3: Concepts of Pharmacology

• Routes of Administration
• Pharmacokinetics: ADME principles: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, Bioavailability and bioequivalence, PK parameters
• Pharmacodynamics: Drug-Receptor Interactions ,Dose–response relationships, Agonists, antagonists, partial agonists, Receptor theory and signal transduction pathways, Therapeutic index and safety margins

Module 4: Modern Drug Discovery Process

• Target Identification and Validation
• Role of Nucleic acid Microarrays, Protein microarrays, Antisense Technologies, siRNAs, Antisense Oligonucleotides, Zinc Finger Proteins
• Role of Transgenic animals in Target Validation
• Assay Development for Hit Identification
  

Module 5: Lead Identification

• Combinatorial Chemistry and High Throughput screening
• Hit-to-lead (H2L) process
• Lead Identification and Optimization Strategies
• Role of Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics
  

Module 6: Module 6: Computational Drug Design

• Introduction to Computational Drug Design
• Rational Drug Design
• Pharmacophore Modeling and Virtual Screening
• Protein Structure Prediction and Molecular Modeling
• Molecular Docking and Docking-Based Screening
• Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (QSAR)
• 3D-QSAR approaches: Pharmacophore based, COMFA & COMSIA 
• Statistical Methods and 3D-QSAR
• Applications, Software, and Emerging Trends in Computational Drug Design
  

Module 7: Biostatistics in Drug Discovery and Development

• Defining the Research Problem
• Sampling Design and Sample Size Determination
• Hypothesis testing
• Parametric and non-parametric tests
• Scientific Writing
  

Module 8: Pro-drug-based Concepts

• Prodrug Design-Basic Concept
• Prodrugs to Improve Patient Acceptability
• Drug Solubility, Drug Absorption and Distribution, Site-specific Drug Delivery & Sustained Drug Action
• Rational of Prodrug Design
• Practical Consideration of Prodrug Design
  

Module 9: Biopharmaceuticals

• Biologics vs Small Molecules
• Biosimilars
• Recombinant DNA technology
• Monoclonal Antibodies
• Antibody–Drug Conjugates (ADCs)
• Cytokines and Growth Factors
• Therapeutic Enzymes and Blood Products
• CART Therapy, Stem cell therapy
• Vaccines

Module 10: Pharmacological and Toxicological Screening Methods

• General Principles of Screening and Animal Models
• Pharmacological Screening Models – Hypertension, Pain, Epilepsy, Depression, Ulcers, Ischemia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Diabetes and Leishmaniasis.
• In Vivo & In Vitro Pharmacological Screening
• Regulatory Toxicology: Acute, Sub-acute, Sub-chronic & Chronic, Reproductive Toxicity, Teratogenicity, Genotoxicity, Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity
• OECD Test Guidelines

Module 11: Introduction to Clinical Research and Pharmacovigilance

• Clinical Trials
• Clinical Research Stakeholders and Core team
• Ethics in Clinical Research
• Pharmacovigilance and PvPI
• Seriousness, Expectedness and Casualty Assessment of ADRs
  

Module 12: Machine learning, Deep learning and Artificial Intelligence

• AI and Machine Learning in Pharma
• Predictive Modeling for Drug-Target Interactions
• Deep Learning and Machine learning Algorithms
• De Novo Drug design using generative algorithms
  

Module 13: Demonstration of Instrument Handling and Analytical Techniques

Module 14: Industry Based Case Study

Module 15: Capstone Project

Eligibility

Graduates in any discipline are eligible for our Post Graduate Diploma, Executive Diploma and Professional Certifications Programmes. 10+2 pass-outs are eligible for our Under Graduate Diploma and Diploma holders of two to three years course duration are also eligible for the PG Diploma.

Programme Duration

The minimum duration to complete the PG diploma programme is 12 months and maximum is 24 months. The minimum duration to complete the executive diploma programme is 6 months and maximum is 12 months.

Programme Mode

Registrations are currently open for regular and Part-time (Online Live Classes) both modes.

Programme Deliverables

A comprehensive study material for all the modules in hard copies ensuring the needs of the audience. The accompanying training material is appropriately aligned with the current Industry’s expectations.

• Assignments for all the programme modules for continuous evaluation and guidance.
• Interactive or online live sessions on all key areas of the programme giving all flexibility to the participants.
• Part-time (Online Live Classes) for all the modules will be conducted on the weekends. Moreover, a doubt clearing session will also be scheduled before the examination.
• All the efforts are made by IGMPI faculty members to make the entire programme modules easily understandable.
• Assessment and evaluation for all the programme modules in order to enhance the levels of competencies and skills of the participants leading towards the objective of application in the job.
• At the end of each programme modules, the trainers shall obtain feedback from the participants using specially designed questionnaires.
• All learning and training delivery initiatives shall be conducted in English.

Examination & Certification

All the participants are obliged to timely submit completed assessment assignments (during the programme, usually after every module) and appear for an online exam at the end of the programme. After successful completion, the participants will be awarded Post Graduate Diploma/Executive Diploma in Drug, Discovery and Development by IGMPI. For all the above-mentioned modules, Part-time (Online Live Classes) or face-to-face classes (Regular mode), elaborate programme material, self-assessment assignments would be provided by the Institute. Details get updated on the webpage as well.

Discipline in Classes and Examination

Every student is required to observe a disciplined behaviour during her/his classes, assessments & examinations and to follow instructions from the Professors. Any act of indiscipline may result into discredit & it will be mentioned in her/his academic report.

Placement Assistance & Corporate Relations

For the Post Graduate Diploma and Undergraduate Diploma Programmes, we will provide placement assistance after the completion of the programme. The Institute has partnered with many organizations for providing placement assistance to its students. The robust placement cell comprises senior level Human Resources professionals and Talent Acquisition experts which maintains close links with business and industry. The efforts of our placement cell also include helping with professional resume writing, interview skills & conducting mock interviews etc.

In recent months the Institute has witnessed more and more participation from professionals working with global healthcare like , Jhpiego, SELCO Foundation, TATA Foundation, Samarthan NGO, PSI, UNICEF, WHO, HCL Foundation, IPE Global, Optum, PATH, AIIMS, Action against Hunger, Ekta Shakti Foundation, Seva Foundation, India HIV-AIDS Alliance, HLFPPT, Deepak Foundation, Novartis, LalPath Labs Ltd., Fortis Healthcare Ltd., HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd., Indraprastha Medical Corporation Ltd., Narayana Hrudayalaya Ltd., Piramal Enterprises Ltd., Wockhardt Ltd., Cactus Communications, Public Health Foundations of India, Cytel, Religare Health Insurance Company Ltd., Deloitte, DuPont Sustainable Solutions, Bain & Company, Alvarez & Marsal, McKinsey & Company, etc. The IGMPI’s Corporate Resource Division actively recommends our students and training participants for various job requirements and specialized roles to Human Resource, Talent Acquisition as well as the heads of various departments in Pharmaceutical, Healthcare industries on regular basis.

Future career prospects of Training in Drug Discovery and Development

Professionals in this industry have a global standing and responsibility as well. The work done here serves to global audience and is not just country specific. Thus, the field beholds immense respect for its takers which comes with equal amounts of pressure to ensure proper code and ethics of the field are followed. IGMPI offers comprehensive training in drug discovery and development which is essential; for ensuring a benefitting future in the industry. Pass outs from this programme are eligible to find work in:

• Pharmaceutical companies,
• Biomedical companies,
• Technology/consulting companies in the healthcare arena or even government sector.

The programme also prepares for positions and roles like Medicinal chemist, Computational chemist, Nano Technician or In Silico Drug Designer. IGMPI offers professional and industry oriented training thus opening doors for entry into the industry. Post Graduate Diploma/Executive Diploma in Drug discovery and Development adds advantage for those already in the industry as a tag of professional training and those new to the industry feel comfortable with backing of apt and up-to-date information and training required to have sustained growth in the industry.

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Last date for submitting completed Application Form: 17^th Aug 2026.

For further enquiries, call or write to us on:
18001031071 (Toll Free -9:00 am to 5:30 pm IST-except on Central Government holidays)/ info@igmpi.ac.in