Lead identification is where we strive to pinpoint promising compounds that could serve as the foundation for developing new therapeutic drugs. The goal is to identify a lead compound or a set of lead compounds that exhibit the desired biological activity, such as inhibiting the function of a disease-related protein from the hit generation methods. Once lead compounds are identified, further optimization is typically required to enhance their potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties. Lead identification is an intricate and iterative process that demands a multidisciplinary approach, involving our numerous biology, chemistry, and computational methods to navigate the complex landscape of drug discovery and development.