Small-molecule drugs are low molecular weight organic compounds that can affect biological processes. These drugs play a critical role in modern medicine due to their ability to enter cells easily, making them effective in targeting specific proteins within the body. As the foundation of many therapeutic agents, small-molecule drugs are used to treat a wide variety of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and infectious diseases.
Small-molecule drugs are essential to healthcare due to their versatility in treating numerous diseases and conditions. They represent a significant portion of the pharmaceutical market and have transformed the landscape of drug development, allowing for the creation of more precise and targeted therapies. These drugs are often used in the development of treatments for complex conditions that require intracellular intervention, making them invaluable in advancing personalized medicine.
Their importance also extends to their role in research, enabling scientists to explore biological pathways and develop new therapeutic strategies. Additionally, due to their simpler structure and manufacturing process compared to large biomolecules, small-molecule drugs usually have a lower production cost, making them more accessible to the broader population.