Part 1 Of 3: The Importance Of Developability Assessments – What Is The Critical Role Of Developability Assessments For Guiding The Next Generation Of Drugs?

By Dr. Rob Holgate, Vice President of Research & Innovation, and Dr. Gary Watts, Director of Formulation Development at Abzena

Many promising drug candidates fail not because of biology, but because their physical and chemical properties make them difficult to manufacture, formulate, or deliver consistently. Developability assessments address this risk by systematically evaluating attributes such as stability, solubility, aggregation, and sequence liabilities early in development. When applied at the right stage, these assessments help distinguish between candidates that are merely potent and those that are realistically scalable.

Embedding developability thinking alongside discovery enables teams to avoid late‑stage surprises that drive delays, cost overruns, or program termination. Early data can guide molecule optimization, inform candidate selection, and shape downstream CMC and regulatory strategies. Importantly, developability is not a single test but a framework for decision‑making that evolves as programs mature.

Understanding why and when to apply these assessments allows organizations to balance speed with rigor, reduce attrition, and focus resources on assets with a clearer path to the clinic and beyond.