Paracelsus' legacy in the faunal realm: Drugs deriving from animal toxins

Thomas Fischer; Rainer Riedl

doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2021.10.003

Paracelsus' legacy in the faunal realm: Drugs deriving from animal toxins

Drug Discov Today. 2022 Feb;27(2):567-575. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.10.003. Epub 2021 Oct 19.

Authors

Thomas Fischer¹, Rainer Riedl²

Affiliations

¹ Center of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW, Einsiedlerstrasse 31, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland.
² Center of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW, Einsiedlerstrasse 31, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland. Electronic address: rainer.riedl@zhaw.ch.

PMID: 34678490
DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.10.003

Abstract

Given the vast number of venomous and poisonous animals, it is surprising that only relatively few animal-derived toxins have been explored and made their way into marketed drugs or are being investigated in ongoing clinical trials. In this review, we highlight marketed drugs deriving from animal toxins as well as ongoing clinical trials and preclinical investigations in the field. We emphasize that more attention should be paid to the rich supply of candidates that nature provides as valuable starting points for addressing serious unmet medical needs.

Keywords: Animal toxins; Drug discovery; Medicinal chemistry; Natural products; Peptides; Venom.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Animals
Toxins, Biological* / therapeutic use
Venoms* / therapeutic use

Substances

Toxins, Biological
Venoms