Overview of Strategies for Solving ADMET Challenges

This chapter provides a high-level overview of all the strategies for solving challenges related to the optimization of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) properties in small molecule drug discovery, which are detailed within the chapters of this book. In the introductory section the need to apply a holistic view of molecular properties towards the identification of candidate drugs which meet the target pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic profile and possess an adequate therapeutic index for a given indication is discussed. The molecular properties which have the biggest influence on ADMET parameters and which are directly amenable to structural modifications are outlined. The effects of these are visualized in an overview table. The most promising mitigation strategies for each ADMET property described in this book in detail are summarized.