Small Molecules

Small molecule drugs are organic compounds developed for a wide range of applications, constituting a major therapeutic modality for drug discovery and development. They can be designed to have specific chemical properties that allow them to interact with targets in the body, such as proteins, enzymes, receptors, and ion channels.  As such, they may be effective for treating a wide range of diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders.

One of the advantages of small molecule drugs is their ability to be taken orally or administered topically.  Additionally, their small size (typically below 900 Daltons) allows them to penetrate cell membranes and reach targets quickly, which can result in rapid onset of therapeutic action.

Small molecules also play a critical role in the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), an active area of research, with the goal of improving the specificity and efficacy of targeted cancer therapies. ADCs combine the specificity of an antibody with the cytotoxic effects of a small molecule drug. Due to the toxic nature of the small molecule cargo that can damage healthy cells, they are linked to an antibody that specifically targets cancer cells.

Designing small molecules for use in ADCs requires additional considerations such as potency, selectivity, and solubility. Additionally, small molecules must be conjugated to the antibody in a way that maintains potency and stability while allowing for efficient release of the cytotoxic payload inside the cancer cell.

The Life Sciences companies of Danaher Corporation provide a wide range of automation, analytical, digital, and fit-for-purpose technologies to accelerate small molecule drug screening and ADC drug development and manufacturing.

Small Molecule Solutions

To learn more about small molecule solutions from the Life Sciences companies of Danaher Corporation visit: