Structure-property Relationships Reported for the New Drugs Approved in 2023

Drug-like properties play pivotal roles in drug adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity. Therefore, efficiently optimizing these properties is essential for the successful development of novel therapeutics. Understanding the structure–property relationships of clinically approved drugs can provide valuable insights for drug design and optimization strategies. Among the new drugs approved in 2023, which include 31 small-molecule drugs in the US, the structureproperty relationships of nine drugs were compiled from the medicinal chemistry literature, in which detailed information on pharmacokinetic and/or physicochemical properties was reported not only for the final drug but also for its key analogs generated during drug development. The structure-property relationships of nine newly approved drugs are summarized, including three kinase inhibitors and three G-protein-coupled receptor antagonists. Several optimization strategies, such as bioisosteric replacement and steric handle installation, have successfully produced clinical candidates with enhanced physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. The summarized structure– property relationships demonstrate how appropriate structural modifications can effectively improve overall drug-like properties. The ongoing exploration of structure–property relationships of clinically approved drugs is expected to offer valuable guidance for developing future drugs.