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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
08:06
The Use of a β-lactamase-based Conductimetric Biosensor Assay to Detect Biomolecular Interactions
Published on: February 1, 2018
FDA-approved γ-lactam-containing drugs (2011-2025): Synthesis and clinical applications
Lei Yu1, Qian Zhang2, Nawaf Al-Maharik3
1Wuhan Vocational College of Software and Engineering (Wuhan Open University), Wuhan 430033, China.
Bioorganic Chemistry
|June 23, 2026
Summary
Gamma-lactam scaffolds are crucial in drug discovery, with eight small-molecule drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 2011 and 2025. This review highlights their structures, synthesis, and applications.
Area of Science:
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Gamma-lactams are privileged heterocyclic scaffolds prevalent in biologically active compounds.
- Recent years show a surge in research and development of gamma-lactam-based molecules.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an increasing number of drugs featuring gamma-lactam motifs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a concise overview of FDA-approved gamma-lactam-containing drugs from 2011 to 2025.
- To emphasize the structural features, synthetic strategies, and clinical applications of these drugs.
- To discuss current challenges and future directions in gamma-lactam drug development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of FDA-approved drugs containing gamma-lactam structures.
- Analysis of drug approval trends between 2011 and 2025.
- Synthesis of information on structural characteristics, synthetic routes, and therapeutic uses.
Main Results:
- Eight small-molecule drugs containing gamma-lactam scaffolds were approved by the FDA between 2011 and 2025.
- One pyrrolidine-2,5-dione derivative was among the approved drugs.
- Drug approvals featuring gamma-lactams were infrequent before 2011, indicating a recent growth trend.
Conclusions:
- Gamma-lactam structures are increasingly important in pharmaceutical development.
- The period from 2011 to 2025 marks a significant era for gamma-lactam drug approvals.
- Further research into gamma-lactam synthesis and applications holds promise for future therapeutics.
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