Molecular Approaches to Drug Discovery and Development

Dear Colleagues,

Drug discovery involves many different stages, such as target identification and validation, hit identification, hit-to-lead optimization, and the identification of a candidate for further development. Drug development, on the other hand, includes the optimization of chemical synthesis and drug formulation, preclinical studies, and, eventually, market approval. It is evident that drug development, from the discovery of a promising target to the creation of usable medication, is a costly, long process. It has also become clear that the need for faster drug development requires interdisciplinary cooperation within academia, as well as increased collaboration between industry and academia with a common objective of constantly providing quality medicines.

Organic chemistry has had a major impact on drug discovery by providing simple and efficient, low-cost synthetic pathways, novel methodologies, and reaction mechanisms for the synthesis of new candidate molecules. In addition to drug discovery, organic chemistry is greatly involved in drug development and optimization. The rapid development of biotechnological drugs and synthetic drug delivery systems has re-enforced the role of organic chemistry, as there is a clear need for the development of targeting drugs, nano-drugs, and synthetic drug delivery systems in a controllable, reproducible, and well-defined manner.

This Special Issue will collect the contributions of various types of molecular approaches to drug discovery and development, i.e., the synthesis of potential bioactive molecules and drugs and drug derivatives, including targeted drugs and synthetic novel-type drug delivery systems (DDS). The following categories will form part of this Special Issue: liquid- and solid-phase synthesis methods for the development of bioactive molecules and drugs of any type (small molecules, macromolecules, peptides and their derivatives); methods used to extend drugs’ self-lives (e.g., lipidation, pegylation, chemical/structural modifications, cyclization, etc.); methods used to enhance targeting ability; the development of targeted drug delivery systems; synthetic approaches to the latest oligonucleotide-mediated gene silencing concept. Molecular mechanisms of innovating synthetic approaches/problem solving also form part of this Special Issue. The development of innovative synthetic nano-drugs and vesicular drug delivery systems (DDS) that allow slow release and extend the drugs half-life (e.g., liposomes, nanoparticles, etc.) will also be considered for publication if the applied molecular approaches/chemistries used, either to the DDS or the drug itself, influence the fate of the drug after administration (e.g., synthetic modifications/functionalization, targeted drug-delivery systems, etc.). Initial biological and pharmacological evaluation (including preclinical evaluation) of the suggested compounds/systems is also welcome.

Dr. Spyridon Mourtas
Guest Editor

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