The perceived lack of drug discovery productivity in recent times has led to much debate in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry as escalating R&D costs are not being matched by increased output. Few observers doubt that selecting the right targets, ie those which are critical to disease pathology and are 'druggable', is the best starting point for improved productivity.

The seven chapters of this volume describe recent progress towards drugs acting at a range of 'druggable' targets. One chapter addresses kinases, one covers an ion channel, two proteases are featured and three of the...

Appropriate selection of biochemical targets is one of the most important drivers of cost effectiveness in the discovery of new medicines. Despite the many advances in genetics, genomics and systems biology, 'validation' of a target is not achieved until therapeutic efficacy is demonstrated by a drug candidate. Volume 46 of this series reviews the medicinal chemistry aimed at six diverse targets from which important new medicines are emerging:
* HIV integrase (discovery of the first-in-class inhibitor drug raltegravir)
* 11-beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (new approach to...

Progress in Medicinal Chemistry provides a review of eclectic developments in medicinal chemistry. This volume continues in the serial's tradition of providing an insight into the skills required of the modern medicinal chemist; in particular, the use of an appropriate selection of the wide range of tools now available to solve key scientific problems.

• Presents the latest research in the field of drug discovery
• Publishes on a twice yearly basis to bring you the most innovative updates in medicinal chemistry
• Available as an online resource via...

Progress in Medicinal Chemistry provides a review of eclectic developments in medicinal chemistry. This volume continues in the serial's tradition of providing an insight into the skills required of the modern medicinal chemist; in particular, the use of an appropriate selection of the wide range of tools now available to solve key scientific problems.

• Presents the latest research in the field of drug discovery
• Publishes on a twice yearly basis to bring you the most innovative updates in medicinal chemistry
• Available as an online resource via...

Progress in Medicinal Chemistry provides a review of eclectic developments in medicinal chemistry. This volume includes chapters covering recent advances in cancer therapeutics, fluorine in medicinal chemistry, a perspective on the next generation of antibacterial agents derived by manipulation of natural products, a new era for Chagas Disease drug discovery? and imaging in drug development.

• Extended timely reviews of topics in medicinal chemistry
• Targets and technologies relevant to the discovery of tomorrow's drugs
• Analyses of...