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Finding the sweet spot: the role of nature and nurture in medicinal chemistry

Nature Reviews Drug Discovery volume 11, pages 355–365 (2012)Cite this article

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Abstract

Given its position at the heart of small-molecule drug discovery, medicinal chemistry has an important role in tackling the well-known productivity challenges in pharmaceutical research and development. In recent years, extensive analyses of successful and failed discovery compounds and drug candidates have improved our understanding of the role of physicochemical properties in drug attrition. Based on the clarified challenges in finding the 'sweet spot' in medicinal chemistry programmes, we suggest that this goal can be achieved through a combination of first identifying chemical starting points with appropriate 'nature' and then rigorously 'nurturing' them during lead optimization. Here, we discuss scientific, strategic, organizational and cultural considerations for medicinal chemistry practices, with the aim of promoting more effective use of what is already known, as well as a wider appreciation of the risks of pursuing suboptimal compounds.

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Figure 1: Binding thermodynamics in medicinal chemistry optimization.

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  • 05 October 2012

    Michael M. Hann's postcode was originally incorrect; it has now been updated online.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the many scientists who have contributed to the ideas presented in this article, in particular: A. Leach, D. Green, I. Churcher, C. Dollery, J. Butler, A. Brewster, R. Young, A. Hill and K. Valkó at GlaxoSmithKline; Á. Tarcsay, Zs. Hadady, O. Éliás, G. Szabó, A. Visegrády, J. Éles, Gy. Domány and Gy. T. Balogh at Gedeon Richter; G. G. Ferenczy at Sanofi; P. Leeson at AstraZeneca; and G. Williams at Astex Pharmaceuticals.

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  1. Michael M. Hann is at the department of Computational and Structural Chemistry, GlaxoSmithKline Medicines Research Centre, Stevenage SG1 2NY, UK.,

    Michael M. Hann

  2. György M. Keserü is at the department of Discovery Chemistry, Gedeon Richter, H-1103 Budapest, Hungary.,

    György M. Keserü

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Correspondence to György M. Keserü.

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G.M.K. is an employee of Gedeon Richter. M.M.H. is an employee of GlaxoSmithKline.

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Hann, M., Keserü, G. Finding the sweet spot: the role of nature and nurture in medicinal chemistry. Nat Rev Drug Discov 11, 355–365 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd3701

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