THE INDISPENSABLE ROLE OF ANIMAL SCIENCE IN DRUG DISCOVERY : A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW Vidhya C. S. 1 , Kashinath B. Desai 2 , Priya Srivastava 3* , T. Giggin 4 , Ankur Saxena 5 , C. Lalremruata 6 , Deepjyoti Roy 7 and D. Sarasa 8 1 Department of Primary Processing Storage and Handling, NIFTEM-Thanjavur, Thanjavur - 613 005, India. 2 S.K. College of Arts Commerce and Science, Talikoti, India. 3 Department of Zoology, St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi - 834 001, India. 4 Department of Animal Husbandry, College of Agriculture Padannakkad, Kerala Agricultural University, Kasargod-671 314, India. 5 Medi-Caps University, Pigdamber, Rau, Indore - 453 331, India. 6 Subject Matter Specialist (Animal Science), KVK Serchhip, North Vanlaiphai, Mizoram-796184, India 7 Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, RGSC-Banaras Hindu University, Mirzapur - 231 001, India. 8 Department of Zoology, Quaid e Millath Government College for Women (Autonomous), (Affiliated to University of Madras), Chennai - 600 002, India Corresponding author - Priya Srivastava, *e-mail : priyasrivastava@sxcran.org (Received 24 September 2023, Revised 3 November 2023, Accepted 18 November 2023) ABSTRACT : The indispensable role of Animal Science in drug discovery: A comprehensive review” delves into the crucial contribution of animal science in the field of drug development and discovery. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted aspects of animal science that make it an indispensable component of the drug discovery process. By examining the utilization of various animal models, from invertebrates to mammals, this paper highlights the significance of animal research in elucidating mechanisms of disease, studying drug efficacy, toxicity and understanding pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Additionally, it discusses the ethical considerations and regulations associated with animal experimentation, emphasizing the importance of animal welfare and the implementation of alternative methods when feasible. Moreover, the review sheds light on emerging technologies and approaches, such as in silico modeling and organ-on-a-chip systems, that aim to reduce animal usage while maintaining high-quality research outcomes. Overall, this review paper provides a comprehensive understanding of how animal science continues to play an indispensable role in driving drug discovery, improving human and animal health, and shaping the future of medicine. Key words : Animal Science, drug discovery, indispensable role, comprehensive review, pharmaceuticals, biomedical research. How to cite : Vidhya C S, Kashinath B. Desai, Priya Srivastava, T. Giggin, Ankur Saxena, C. Lalremruata, Deepjyoti Roy and D. Sarasa (2024) The indispensable role of animal science in drug discovery : A comprehensive review. J. Exp. Zool. India 27, 1313- 1318. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51470/jez.2024.27.1.1313 J. Exp. Zool. India Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 1313-1318, 2024 ISSN 0972-0030 DocID: https://connectjournals.com/03895.2024.27.1313 eISSN 0976-1780 DOI: https://doi.org/10.51470/jez.2024.27.1.1313 INTRODUCTION In the realm of pharmaceutical research and development, the discovery of novel therapeutic agents is a complex and intricate process. It requires a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates various scientific fields, including chemistry, biology, pharmacology and notably, animal science. Animal models have long been indispensable in the preclinical stages of drug development, providing invaluable insights into the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of potential drug candidates. This comprehensive review aims to explore and highlight the pivotal role of animal science in drug discovery, elucidating the various ways in which animal models have contributed to the development of life-saving medications. Animal models have played a crucial role in understanding disease mechanisms and evaluating the therapeutic potential of new drugs. Through carefully designed experiments, scientists have been able to simulate human diseases in animals, allowing them to study the underlying pathophysiology and test the efficacy of potential treatments. For instance, animal models of cancer, such as mice with implanted tumors have been instrumental in evaluating the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents and assessing their side effects (Sweaney et al, 2019). Similarly, animal models of cardiovascular diseases, such as rats with induced hypertension have provided invaluable insights into the