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Synthetic Approaches to the New Drugs Approved During 2024
Scott P France1, Erick A Lindsey2, Emma L McInturff3
1Process Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey 07065, United States.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
|June 17, 2026
Summary
In 2024, 39 new small molecule drugs were approved globally. This review details their scalable synthetic routes, showcasing diverse chemical structures and methodologies.
Area of Science:
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Organic Synthesis
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Thirty-nine novel small molecule drugs received global approval in 2024.
- The landscape of pharmaceutical development continues to expand with new chemical entities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the synthetic strategies for newly approved small molecule drugs in 2024.
- To identify and highlight the most scalable synthetic routes for these pharmaceuticals.
Main Methods:
- Literature and patent review of 2024 drug approvals.
- Analysis of synthetic pathways focusing on scalability.
- Assessment of structural complexity and synthetic diversity.
Main Results:
- Detailed synthetic information is provided for each of the 39 approved drugs.
- Scalable synthetic routes are emphasized, drawing from patents and primary literature.
- A wide range of structural complexity and synthetic approaches were observed.
Conclusions:
- The synthesis of new small molecule drugs in 2024 involved diverse and complex chemical strategies.
- Scalability remains a key consideration in the industrial production of novel therapeutics.
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