Synthetic therapeutic peptides: science and market.
The decreasing number of approved drugs produced by the pharmaceutical industry, which has been accompanied by increasing expenses for R&D, demands alternative approaches to increase pharmaceutical R&D productivity. This situation has contributed to a revival of interest in peptides as potential drug candidates. New synthetic strategies for limiting metabolism and alternative routes of administration have emerged in recent years and resulted in a large number of peptide-based drugs that are now being marketed. This review reports on the unexpected and considerable number of peptides that are currently available as drugs and the chemical strategies that were used to bring them into the market. As demonstrated here, peptide-based drug discovery could be a serious option for addressing new therapeutic challenges.
Vlieghe
Patrick
P
VECT-HORUS S.A.S., Faculté de Médecine Secteur Nord, CS80011, Boulevard Pierre Dramard, 13344 Marseille Cedex 15, France. patrick.vlieghe@vect-horus.com
Lisowski
Vincent
V
Martinez
Jean
J
Khrestchatisky
Michel
M
D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods*; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use
D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D010455:Peptides; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases