Three Pillars of Early Drug Discovery Success Part 2: Assayability – The Hidden Determinant of Drug Discovery Success

Drug discovery is an exercise in measurement. Every decision made during target validation, hit identification, and lead optimization depends on data generated by assays. Yet assay quality (beyond Z-factors and assay windows) remains one of the most underappreciated determinants of discovery success. Conversely, assay failure is one of the most underappreciated sources of program attrition.This white paper, the second in a three-part series, examines assayability in depth. What it means, why it matters, what it costs when it fails, and how the field is evolving to treat measurement (assayability) as a strategic asset rather than merely having a supporting role.