Small molecule drugs play a crucial role in the effective treatment and management of infectious diseases. With advanced technology and an excellent team of talents, our company focuses on the research and development of small molecule drugs. We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of scientific innovation and discovering novel small molecule therapeutics that address unmet medical needs in the field of infectious diseases.
What are Small Molecule Drugs?
Small molecule drugs are a class of compounds characterized by their relatively low molecular weight, typically ranging from 0.1 to 1 kilodalton (kDa). Due to their small size, small molecule drugs offer several advantages in terms of efficient absorption, distribution, and metabolism within the body. Small molecule drugs have revolutionized the treatment of infectious diseases, providing effective therapeutic options.
Fig. 1 Small-molecule therapeutic options for COVID-19. (Tian D, et al., 2021)
Mechanism of Small Molecule Drugs
Receptor Binding
Small molecule drugs can work by binding to specific receptors on the cell surface or inside the cell to activate or inhibit the normal signaling pathway of the receptor.
Enzyme Inhibition
Small molecule drugs bind to specific enzymes and interfere with their normal catalytic activity, thereby producing therapeutic effects.
Ion Channel Modulation
By modulating the opening or closing of ion channels, small molecule drugs can regulate the flow of ions, influencing cell membrane potential and electrical signaling.
Interfering with DNA
Certain small molecule drugs can interfere with DNA replication, inhibit transcription, or induce DNA damage, thereby producing therapeutic effects.
Small Molecule Drugs for Infectious Diseases
In recent years, the small molecule drug development market has witnessed strong growth. According to the report, the small molecule drug research and development market reached $82.03 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $163.76 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.97%. Small molecule drugs for infectious diseases are an important area of focus, and some of the approved drugs are listed below.
| Small Molecule Drugs |
Targets |
Mechanism |
Indications |
| Oseltamivir |
Influenza virus neuraminidase |
Enzyme Inhibition |
Influenza A and B |
| Penicillin |
Bacterial cell wall synthesis enzymes |
Enzyme Inhibition |
Streptococcal infections, pneumococcal infections, syphilis, and certain types of meningitis, etc. |
| Fluconazole |
Fungal cytochrome P450 enzymes |
Enzyme Inhibition |
Candidiasis (yeast infections), cryptococcal meningitis, and certain types of systemic fungal infections |
| Amphotericin B |
Fungal cell membrane ergosterol |
Receptor Binding |
invasive candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, mucormycosis, etc. |
Our Services
Small molecule drugs have indeed emerged as potent tools in combating infectious diseases. At our company, we have been at the forefront of small molecule drug development for a significant period, leading the way in pioneering innovative approaches to tackle challenging infectious diseases. We have consistently strived to push the boundaries of scientific research and translate our findings into impactful therapeutics.
How Do We Develop Small Molecule Drugs?
Drug Target Identification
Hit Discovery
Lead Optimization
Antipathogen Activity Evaluation
Preclinical Studies
Formulation Development
Optional Disease Types
Our dedicated team of researchers and scientists is committed to discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs that can effectively target and combat infectious diseases. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us for more details and quotation information of related services.
References
- Tian D, Liu Y, Liang C, et al. An update review of emerging small-molecule therapeutic options for COVID-19[J]. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2021, 137: 111313.
- Agarwal P, Huckle J, Newman J, et al. Trends in small molecule drug properties: A developability molecule assessment perspective[J]. Drug Discovery Today, 2022, 27(12): 103366.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
