Unmet medical need and commercial potential are considered to be key drivers of novel drug discovery, but identifying disease areas for which scientific understanding is improving substantially could also have a valuable role in guiding the focus of R&D investment. In their Analysis article, Agarwal and Searls explore the potential of using a 'bibliometrics' approach to analyse scientific literature, with the aim of indicating areas in which recent advances are likely to provide novel therapeutic opportunities. Although infectious and parasitic diseases are fields with high publication rates, commercial considerations have limited R&D investment for many such diseases in the past. However, several initiatives to promote the development of novel drugs for the prevention and treatment of these diseases have been launched in recent years — for example, to tackle the challenges presented by drug-resistant malaria, which is the topic of two articles this month. Wells and colleagues review the limitations of current antimalarial drugs and emerging novel targets and strategies; and in their Perspective article, Mazier and colleagues discuss the potential of targeting the short-lived hepatic forms of malaria-causing parasites, before the pathogenic infection of red blood cells is initiated. In a second Perspective this month, Cavalla discusses the evolving strategy of drug repurposing — the identification of a novel indication or delivery method for an established active pharmaceutical ingredient, emphasizing how this approach may reduce risk of failure without compromising commercial potential. Finally, in their Review, Watterson and colleagues summarize key kinase targets for central nervous system (CNS) disorders and compounds that are under investigation, discussing the challenges associated with CNS drug discovery and approaches to address them.