Medicinal chemistry - drug design, synthesis and evaluation

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Scientific Importance of results of the research programme ''Medicinal chemistry – drug design, synthesis and evaluation'' in the period 2004 - 2008 resides in discovery of novel potential antibacterial and antithrombotic drugs as well as in development of methods for their design, synthesis and study of their molecular mechanism of action. The research programme made an important contribution to discovery of antibacterial drugs which inhibit intracellular steps of bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. Discovery of novel antibacterial drugs is a great challenge to science due to a threatening bacterial resistance to currently used antibacterial drugs. There is also an urgent need for development of new antithrombotic drugs due to a high incidence of thrombotic diseases in the developed countries. The concept of dual antithrombotic drugs which is one of most important results of the research programme could lead to antithrombotic drugs of the future. Novel modulators of integrin receptors, which were developed in the programme, possess a potential as future antitumour and antithrombotic drugs as well. Our contribution to understanding the process of apoptosis regulation opens new possibilities for search of novel proapoptotic molecules and their application in therapy. New molecular tools for electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, which were developed, enable studies of mechanism of action of a number of drugs, of their interactions with biological membranes and their influence on transmembrane signaling. Development of new peptide mimetics, glycomimetics and lipidomimetics, development of new approaches to rational design and synthesis of potential drugs as well as development of novel general synthetic methods and strategies are also important for science.

Discovery of novel innovative drugs and introducing them to the market in cooperation with strategic partners is a way to assure a sustained growth to Slovenian pharmaceutical industry which is currently one of major players in the Slovenian economy. The current generic nature of the Slovenian pharmaceutical industry does not preclude its evolution into research-oriented industry and education of scientists in a programme like this importantly contributes to this crucial socio-economic tak. Novel drug molecules and lead compounds which emerged from the research programme ''Medicinal chemistry – Drug design, synthesis and evaluation'' in a period from 2004 to 2008 can be a good starting point for development of innovative medicines in cooperation of the Slovenian and international pharmaceutical industry. Young scientists educated in the research programme in period from 2004 to 2008 are perfectly trained and possess competences for scientifically creative work in pharmaceutical industry, where they are expected to create novel research focuses. They are also perfectly trained for research work at university, other research institutes and govermental agencies. In the past period the research programme ''Medicinal chemistry - Drug design, synthesis and evaluation'' generated a substantial amount of new knowledge which is of paramount importance for sustained development of pharmaceutical industry and drug – oriented research in Slovenia. Scientific excellence, which was and remains one of major goals of the research programme, contributed to affirmation of Slovenian science through publications in leading scientific journals. This contributed to creation and preservation of the country's nationmal identity in Europe and in the world.