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Therapeutic potential of boron-containing compounds
Stephen J Baker1, Charles Z Ding, Tsutomu Akama
1Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1020 East Meadow Circle, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA. sbaker@anacor.com
Future Medicinal Chemistry
|March 24, 2011
Summary
Boron therapeutics are an emerging field with unique properties. Despite initial hesitation, boron
Area of Science:
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Drug Discovery
- Chemical Biology
Background:
- Limited knowledge exists regarding boron's role in therapeutics compared to other elements.
- Few natural boron-containing compounds are known, hindering drug lead identification.
- Medicinal chemists have historically avoided boron due to perceived risks and synthetic challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the untapped potential of boron in drug discovery.
- To emphasize the unique physicochemical and biological properties of boron.
- To discuss the growing significance of boron-containing therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on boron in medicinal chemistry.
- Analysis of the properties and applications of boron-containing compounds.
- Examination of existing and clinical-stage boron therapeutics.
Main Results:
- Boron possesses unique properties that offer novel avenues for drug discovery.
- Emerging boron therapeutics demonstrate diverse inhibition mechanisms against biological targets.
- One boron therapeutic is approved, with others in clinical trials, indicating growing acceptance.
Conclusions:
- Boron's unique properties present a significant opportunity for medicinal chemists.
- The therapeutic landscape is expanding to include boron-based agents.
- Boron is poised to become a recognized and valuable element in future drug development.
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