During which assay would you primarily track the desired effects of a specific drug?

Activity assays are designed specifically to measure the functional effects of a drug on its target, which is why they are pertinent when tracking the desired effects of a specific drug. These assays evaluate the interaction between the drug and its biological target, assessing how well the drug performs its intended function, which is central to understanding its therapeutic effects.

By focusing on the biological activity, these assays provide insights into the mechanism of action of the drug and can help in understanding how variations in drug concentration or formulation may influence efficacy. Activity assays are instrumental in drug development and optimization processes, ensuring that the drug produces the expected biological response in relevant systems.

In contrast, potency assays focus on determining the minimum effective concentration of a drug that produces a desired level of activity, not necessarily measuring the full breadth of desired effects as activity assays do. ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) is a technique primarily used for detecting and quantifying proteins, which is less focused on drug effects compared to the other types of assays. The batch record is a documentation tool that tracks the production process and quality control but does not evaluate drug effects directly.