title: Lipophilicity in drug discovery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The role of lipophilicity in determining the overall quality of candidate drug molecules is of paramount importance. Recent developments suggest that, as well as determining pre-clinical ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and toxicology) properties, compounds of optimal lipophilicity might have increased chances of success in development.
  
  
  METHODS
  The review covers aspects of methods of prediction of lipophilicity in frequent use and describes the most relevant literature analyses linking individual ADMET parameters and more composite measures of overall compound 'quality' with lipophilicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The aim is to provide an overview of the relevant literature in an attempt to summarise where the optimum region of lipophilicity lies and to highlight which particular issues and risks might be expected when operating outside this region.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The review of the data shows that this optimal space is defined by a narrow range of logD between ∼ 1 and 3. Some of the implications of this for medicinal chemistry optimisation are discussed.
authors: AstraZeneca, CVGI Medicinal Chemsitry, Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, UK  +44 1625 230942 ;  +44 1625 516667 ;  mike.j.waring@astrazeneca.com.
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Waring