Editorials: A Change of Generation

The editors of this journal (founded by Dr. Dr. Werner Saenger and established in 1951) are facing a change of generation. Quite obviously it is important and meaningful that experience grown over many years is being successively and determinedly transferred to a new generation. Since 1977, and thus over more than three decades, Prof. Hans-Georg Classen, Editor-in-Chief, and Viktor Schramm, Managing Editor, together have determined the fate of “Arzneimittelforschung”. Due to their continuous effort the subjects covered in the journal and the publications’ contents have reflected the developing and changing research in industry and academia.

The launch of a special section, “Biotechnology in Drug Research”, in 1985 constituted a cornerstone in the journal’s history. Globalization brought with it an ever farther reaching circle of authors – with China and India being well represented.

New research trends lead to re-orientation in the life sciences – one being Translational Medicine (TM), which among other highlights is to be focussed upon in this journal in the future.

It was TM among other issues that recently prompted us to try and gain Prof. Martin Wehling (Director, Clinical Pharmacology at Heidelberg University, Gemany, and, since 2002, member of this journal’s editorial advisory board) as successor editor-in-chief of “Arzneimittelforschung”. The publishing house and the editors are very happy indeed about Prof. Martin Wehling having accepted this assignment.

As a joint editor-in-chief he will be committed to the TM-related field and also pursue the journal’s tradition. Prof. Hans-Georg-Classen and Viktor Schramm, the copy editors and the publishing house wish him happiness and success in all his future endeavors.

Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Classen, Stuttgart, Germany (Editor-in-Chief)

Viktor Schramm, Aulendorf, Germany (Managing Editor)