Open AccessMedicinal Chemists Don't Just Make Drugs – The Art of Developing Low Molecular Weight Imaging Agents in Switzerland
Author(s) -
Yves P. Auberson
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
chimia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2673-2424
pISSN - 0009-4293
DOI - 10.2533/chimia.2016.868
Subject(s) - multidisciplinary approach , molecular imaging , identification (biology) , general partnership , drug discovery , drug development , engineering ethics , medicine , computer science , drug , medical physics , data science , nanotechnology , pharmacology , bioinformatics , microbiology and biotechnology , political science , sociology , biology , engineering , materials science , social science , botany , in vivo , law
Radiolabeled molecular imaging agents are useful to study drug distribution, target engagement and disease progression in human patients. Medicinal chemists often develop them in parallel to drug discovery programs, to facilitate clinical development or to better understand physiological and pathological processes. While the properties required for imaging agents differ from those of drug candidates, their optimization follows similar principles. Developing them for clinical use also requires a multidisciplinary approach, and is best conducted in a close partnership between pharmaceutical and academic research centers. This article reviews recent scientific advances towards the identification and development of low molecular weight imaging agents in Switzerland.