U.S. FDA Approved Drugs from 2015-June 2020: A Perspective

J Med Chem. 2021 Mar 11;64(5):2339-2381. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01786. Epub 2021 Feb 22.

Abstract

In the present work, we report compilation and analysis of 245 drugs, including small and macromolecules approved by the U.S. FDA from 2015 until June 2020. Nearly 29% of the drugs were approved for the treatment of various types of cancers. Other major therapeutic areas of focus were infectious diseases (14%); neurological conditions (12%); and genetic, metabolic, and cardiovascular disorders (7-8% each). Itemization of the approved drugs according to the year of approval, sponsor, target, chemical class, major drug-metabolizing enzyme(s), route of administration/elimination, and drug-drug interaction liability (perpetrator or/and victim) is presented and discussed. An effort has been made to analyze the pharmacophores to identify the structural (e.g., aromatic, heterocycle, and aliphatic), elemental (e.g., boron, sulfur, fluorine, phosphorus, and deuterium), and functional group (e.g., nitro drugs) diversity among the approved drugs. Further, descriptor-based chemical space analysis of FDA approved drugs and several strategies utilized for optimizing metabolism leading to their discoveries have been emphasized. Finally, an analysis of drug-likeness for the approved drugs is presented.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Approval*
  • Humans
  • Organic Chemicals / chemistry
  • Organic Chemicals / therapeutic use*
  • United States
  • United States Food and Drug Administration

Substances

  • Organic Chemicals