Small Molecule Drug
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A Small Molecule Drug is a pharmaceutical compound that has low molecular weight enabling cell membrane permeation and oral bioavailability.
- AKA: Small Molecule Pharmaceutical, Low Molecular Weight Drug, Small Molecule Therapeutic.
- Context:
- It can typically have Molecular Weight below 900 daltons.
- It can typically cross Cell Membranes through passive diffusion.
- It can typically bind Intracellular Targets via molecular interaction.
- It can typically demonstrate Oral Bioavailability for systemic delivery.
- It can typically follow Lipinski's Rule of Five for drug-like property.
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- It can often target Enzyme Active Sites with specific binding.
- It can often modulate Receptor Function through ligand interaction.
- It can often exhibit Predictable Pharmacokinetics following adme principles.
- It can often undergo Chemical Modification for property optimization.
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- It can range from being a Very Small Molecule Drug to being a Large Small Molecule Drug, depending on its molecular size range.
- It can range from being a Highly Selective Small Molecule Drug to being a Promiscuous Small Molecule Drug, depending on its target specificity profile.
- It can range from being a Natural Product Small Molecule Drug to being a Fully Synthetic Small Molecule Drug, depending on its molecular origin source.
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- It can be discovered through High-Throughput Screening of compound librarys.
- It can be optimized via Medicinal Chemistry for improved property.
- It can be manufactured through Chemical Synthesis at industrial scale.
- It can be formulated into Various Dosage Forms for patient administration.
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- Example(s):
- Small Molecule Drug Classes, such as:
- Small Molecule Drug Target Types, such as:
- Small Molecule Drug Origins, such as:
- Small Molecule Drug Size Ranges, such as:
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- Counter-Example(s):
- Biologic Drug, which consists of large protein molecules rather than small molecules.
- Antibody Drug, which uses immunoglobulins rather than small molecule compounds.
- Gene Therapy, which delivers genetic material rather than small molecules.
- Cell Therapy, which uses living cells rather than chemical compounds.
- See: Pharmaceutical Compound, Drug Molecule, Statin Molecule, Oral Drug, Synthetic Drug.