The Practice of Medicinal Chemistry

Abstract

The Practice of Medicinal Chemistry Editor: Camille Georges Wermuth Published by Academic Press, 2003 624 pages. Price $174.95. ISBN 01274 4481 5 Published in 1996, the first edition of The Practice of Medicinal Chemistry edited by C. G. Wermuth was aimed at Medicinal Chemists who were very much at the beginning of their careers. The revised and expanded 2003 second edition builds on the success of the first edition but also captures the changes and future trends behind the science of new drug discovery and development. Beginning with an historical review of drug discovery and introductory chapters on the foundations and principles of medicinal chemistry, basic pharmacology and drug action, the first section very much sets the scene. Current and future strategies in the discovery of new leads are comprehensively discussed in Section 2, which includes chapters on combinatorial chemistry, natural product screening, in silico approaches, the contribution of molecular biology and the use and application of Internet-based resources. Sections 3, 4 and 5 focus on exploring structure–activity relationships and molecular modelling. While these sections are very much the domain of the traditional medicinal chemist, the material is presented in a format that does not daunt the reader but guides them through these complex principles and techniques practised in today's modern laboratories. Section 6 reflects the desire to design new drugs and prodrugs that, while maintaining appropriate safety and efficacy profiles, can be developed in a more efficient, timely and therefore less costly manner. Chapters describing the incorporation and optimization of drug-like properties from the outset, highlight the need for medicinal chemists to understand the basic principles of the associated disciplines of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics. Section 7 tackles the perennial problem of aqueous solubility and offers the reader an understanding of solubility from a physicochemical perspective and discusses some of the techniques employed in improving solubility. These include incorporating salt formation and other structural solubilizing moieties, as well as using cyclodextrins and colloidal dispersion systems. Section 8 includes chapters on describing the entire process of drug development from discovery to product launch, a primer on drug (as opposed to chemical) nomenclature and drug manufacture, and a thought-provoking chapter on the information every chemist should know about patent protection. With over 750 pages containing 43 chapters from 55 authors, the eight broad topics covered in this book capture the whole spectrum of activities associated with both the theory and practice of rational drug design. The material is very much evidence based, authors drawing on personal and literature examples to illustrate the concepts and principles they expound. The book is well designed and reader friendly with comprehensive reference lists at the end of each chapter and a useful summary index. This is an impressive book suitable not only for Medicinal Chemists of all experience levels but for anyone working in the field of drug discovery. It would be a welcome addition to any drug discoverer's book shelf.