Firm creates interactive R&D Web site

Searle, Skokie, IL, has developed an interactive corporate Web site. The site includes The Pipeline Game allows players to develop a new drug and take it all the way through market clearance.

The game begins with the players choosing a medical condition to target. The players develop a lead compound and proceed through various stages of clinical development, including discovery synthesis, chemical synthesis scale-up, and stability and formulation.

The players then move into the safety and testing phases of drug development. When the testing phases are complete, the player submits a New Drug Application to the Food and Drug Administration for marketing consideration.

The players decisions can prove successful or they may have to return to the beginning and choose a new lead compound.

In addition to The Pipeline Game, Searle has included other informational tools such as Healthcare Solutions, which focuses on their three therapeutic areas, arthritis, cardiovascular disease and women's health. In each category, Searle highlights key issues regarding treatment trends, incidence statistics and new research.

Searle's The Pipeline Game and information tools can be found on their World Wide Web site at http://www.searlehealthnet.com. PR