ABSTRACT

Advances in combinatorial chemistry, proteomics, and genomics have led to the potential for an unprecedented number of new molecular entities (NMEs) to enter full-scale development. Although the emphasis remains focused on developing oral products, few drug candidates have ideal biopharmaceutical properties for oral administration (Table 1) [1]. Pharmaceutical companies have therefore recognized the need to identify those compounds with problematic biopharmaceutical properties long before the first formal, prototype formulations are administered to humans [2]. As a consequence, drug discovery groups now routinely screen potential clinical candidates for poor aqueous solubility and permeability.