Publication Cover
Xenobiotica
the fate of foreign compounds in biological systems
Volume 52, 2022 - Issue 8: 50th year of the DMDG
1,703
Views
1
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Reviews

A commentary on the use of pharmacoenhancers in the pharmaceutical industry and the implication for DMPK drug discovery strategies

ORCID Icon, , , , , & ORCID Icon show all
Pages 786-796 | Received 10 Aug 2022, Accepted 27 Sep 2022, Published online: 20 Dec 2022
 

Abstract

  1. Paxlovid, a drug combining nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, was designed for the treatment of COVID-19 and its rapid development has led to emergency use approval by the FDA to reduce the impact of COVID-19 infection on patients.

  2. In order to overcome potentially suboptimal therapeutic exposures, nirmatrelvir is dosed in combination with ritonavir to boost the pharmacokinetics of the active product.

  3. Here we consider examples of drugs co-administered with pharmacoenhancers.

  4. Pharmacoenhancers have been adopted for multiple purposes such as ensuring therapeutic exposure of the active product, reducing formation of toxic metabolites, changing the route of administration, and increasing the cost-effectiveness of a therapy.

  5. We weigh the benefits and risks of this approach, examining the impact of technology developments on drug design and how enhanced integration between cross-discipline teams can improve the outcome of drug discovery.

Disclosure statement

This commentary is based on the views of the authors and not necessarily the views of Astex Pharmaceuticals.