In the beginning was the word – and the foreword. Words are com-
bined to sentences and eventually language. Words are listed in a

dictionary and their meaning in building language are explained in
a lexicon. In the life sciences – e.g. drug development sciences and

pharmaceutical medicine – the analogies are evidenced by the ge-
nomic library and patho-physiological function as the lexicon. In this

transition from code to function integrated lexica pay a pivotal role
for a faster understanding. The present updated version of this books

combines dictionary and lexicon and provides the translational un-
derstanding of the complex drug development process. With a large

number of new terms, their abbreviations and explanations in this

complex interdisciplinary process a great number of different disci-
plines and specialists need to be informed: they include physicians,

pharmacists, biologists, chemists, biostatisticians, data managers, in-
formation specialists, business developers, marketing experts as well

as regulators, financing specialists, healthcare providers and insur-
ers in a continuous professional development mode. This lexicon is

therefore a most suitable and economical tool for fast and conclusive
information for all key-players in the development of medicines at
the working place, in postgraduate training as well as during graduate
education. This book is an indispensible aid in any medical library.
Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Fritz R. Bühler
Director, European Center of Pharmaceutical Medicine, ECPM
at the Medical Faculty and the PharmaCenter, University of Basel
Co-ordinator, Pharmaceutical Medicine Training Programme of the
Innovative Medicines Initiative, IMI, Joint Undertaking of EC and
EFPIA