纪录片《药物依赖》 第4期：药物合成

A known disease molecule¹, called the target,

一种已知的疾病分子 我们称为靶分子

is introduced to each of the two million compounds, one by one,

逐一加入到这两百万化合物中

to see if anything happens.

去观察是否有反应

With the two million or so compounds,

在这两百万的化合物中

we might get a few

我们可能会发现

compounds that are active against that target.

一些化合物对靶分子有效

We then have to take that one or two hits

然后我们得抓住这一个或两个的机会

and the chemists will make hundreds, maybe thousands, of samples

化学家根据它们的母核结构

related to that original

合成出成千上万的类似物

structure to try and improve the activity

以期提高其活性

and most importantly try

最重要的是

to negate² any safety or undesirable³ effects.

消除一切危险的和预期外的功效

We have to screen those over and over

我们必须一遍一遍地筛选

again to make sure that we're going in the right direction.

确保我们的方向正确

After hundreds of millions of tests,

在数以万计的测试后

just a handful will make it through to trials on people.

只有少量的药品会进行人体测试

In all, it takes about 1 billion and 15 years' work

总的来说 需要10亿的投入和15年的工作

to find the winning compound that can become a licensed⁴ drug.

才能找到一种可以获批投产的化合物

The journey to a medicine is an epic⁵ journey.

寻找药物的旅程是宏大的

That whole process from idea through to a drug approved

从想法的形成到药品审批通过的整个过程

is one littered with failure.

失败一直如影随形

1 molecule   

n.分子，克分子

参考例句：

• A molecule of water is made up of two atoms of hygrogen and one atom of oxygen.一个水分子是由P妈̬f婘̬ 妈̬成的。
• This gives us the structural formula of the molecule.这种方式给出了分子的结构式。

2 negate   

vt.否定，否认；取消，使无效

参考例句：

• Our actions often negate our principles.我们的行为时常与我们所信奉的原则背道而弛。
• Mass advertising could negate the classical theory of supply and demand.大宗广告可以否定古典经济学的供求理论。

3 undesirable   

adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子

参考例句：

• They are the undesirable elements among the employees.他们是雇员中的不良分子。
• Certain chemicals can induce undesirable changes in the nervous system.有些化学物质能在神经系统中引起不良变化。

4 licensed   

adj.得到许可的v.许可，颁发执照(license的过去式和过去分词)

参考例句：

• The new drug has not yet been licensed in the US. 这种新药尚未在美国获得许可。
• Is that gun licensed? 那支枪有持枪执照吗？

5 epic   

n.史诗，叙事诗；adj.史诗般的，壮丽的

参考例句：

• I gave up my epic and wrote this little tale instead.我放弃了写叙事诗，而写了这个小故事。
• They held a banquet of epic proportions.他们举行了盛大的宴会。