Foreword 1 Free

As a class, macromolecules include numerous medicinal agents with high specificity, low off-target toxicity and, most importantly, unique efficacy. Peptide therapeutics represent a subsection of this broader class and include a number of indispensable life-saving medicines, with none more notable than insulin. The application of modern synthetic and analytical technology to peptides has generated a resurgence of interest in academic and commercial laboratories dedicated to the discovery and development of novel peptide-based medicines. What does it take to develop a peptide-based medicine? What are the key challenges and how are they being addressed? In which traditional therapeutic areas have peptides been most successful and in which new fields are they likely to be employed in the future? This collection of state-of-the-art reports addresses these and related questions in a holistic manner. It presents the evolution of a chemical entity to a registered medicine, presenting the seminal themes of design, synthesis, biological assessment and clinical development with associated biomarkers. This text summarizes a wealth of recent and current research projects that exemplify the attributes associated with successful research and development. Each chapter is authored by an internationally recognized opinion leader representing a cross-section of commercial and academic laboratories. The book will serve as a valuable reference volume for experienced peptide scientists, as well as an educational resource for younger scientists in training. I recommend it as a significant contribution that highlights current themes in the discovery and development of peptide-based medicine.

Richard DiMarchi

Indiana University