Transforming fragments into candidates: small becomes big in medicinal chemistry

• Published in: Drug discovery today Vol. 14; no. 13; pp. 630 - 646
• Main Authors: de Kloe, Gerdien E., Bailey, David, Leurs, Rob, de Esch, Iwan J.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical - methods; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical - trends; Drug Discovery - methods; Drug Discovery - trends; General pharmacology; Humans; Medical sciences; Peptide Fragments - chemical synthesis; Pharmaceutical Preparations - chemical synthesis; Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Pharmaceutical technology
• ISSN: 1359-6446; 1878-5832
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2009.03.009

Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) represents a logical and efficient approach to lead discovery and optimisation. It can draw on structural, biophysical and biochemical data, incorporating a wide range of inputs, from precise mode-of-binding information on specific fragments to wider ranging pharmacophoric screening surveys using traditional HTS approaches. It is truly an enabling technology for the imaginative medicinal chemist. In this review, we analyse a representative set of 23 published FBDD studies that describe how low molecular weight fragments are being identified and efficiently transformed into higher molecular weight drug candidates. FBDD is now becoming warmly endorsed by industry as well as academia and the focus on small interacting molecules is making a big scientific impact. Unlocking medicinal chemistry innovation with FBDD strategies.