Overview for Deuterated Drug Discovery
Deuterated drugs represent a significant breakthrough in medicine, leveraging the unique properties of deuterium to enhance safety, effectiveness, and stability. This innovation marks a transformative step forward in pharmaceuticals, promising new avenues for medical research despite existing challenges. Ongoing research and development are paving the way for advanced medical treatments, suggesting that deuterated medications could play a crucial role in future therapeutic approaches. This blog aims to delve into the advantages of these drugs, their scientific principles, and their potential as pivotal elements in upcoming treatment strategies.
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Hydrogen has three naturally occurring isotopes: protium, deuterium or heavy hydrogen, and tritium.
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Deuterium oxide, also known as "Heavy Water,"(D2O) with a much larger proportion of the deuterium than conventional water.
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Deuterium isotope effect (DIE) refers to the effect of deuterium substitution for hydrogen atoms in a molecule on the kinetics of chemical reactions.
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These effects include changes in the cleavage rate of covalent bonds to deuterium or to an atom located adjacent to deuterium, in a reactant molecule.
Deuterated drugs represent a sophisticated approach to drug design, offering potential improvements in the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of existing drugs. By slowing down metabolic processes through the strategic substitution of deuterium for hydrogen. These drugs can maintain therapeutic levels in the bloodstream for a longer period, potentially enhancing their overall therapeutic profile. Incorporating deuterium into drug molecules involves replacing specific hydrogen atoms with deuterium. Deuterium forms stronger chemical bonds with carbon compared to hydrogen, leading to slower metabolic degradation of the drug.
Improved Drug Stability :
Deuterium's stronger bond with carbon atoms enhances the stability of the drug molecule towards enzymatic degradation. This increased stability can lead to a slower metabolic rate, allowing the active drug to remain in the body longer duration
Enhanced Efficacy :
With slower degradation, deuterated drugs can maintain therapeutic levels in the bloodstream for extended durations, potentially improving efficacy and reducing dosing frequency.
Reduced Side Effects :
The improved stability and slower metabolism can also lead to fewer metabolites. By minimizing the production of inactive/toxic metabolites, deuterated drugs can offer a safer profile.
Potential Cost-Effectiveness :
Deuterated drugs can also be generated by changing existing drugs, since the production process is well-established for parent drug, researchers can take advantage of shorter clinical trials and a more flexible safety profile for their compounds.
| S.No |
Compound Name |
Originator |
Therapeutic Category |
Patent Expiry |
Market size 2024 (USD Billion) |
CAGR % (2024 - 2030) |
| 1 |
Donafenib |
Suzhou Zelgen Biopharmaceuticals |
Renal Cell Carcinoma |
16th March 2031 |
~1.2-1.5 |
1.5-2.5% |
| 2 |
Deucravacitinib |
Bristol Myers Squibb |
Plaque psoriasis |
11th July 2033 |
~15-17 |
6.5-7% |
| 3 |
Deuruxolitinib |
Concert Pharmaceuticals |
Alopecia areata |
04th May 2037 |
7-9 |
7.5-8% |
| 4 |
Deuicacaftor |
Vertex Pharmaceuticals |
Cystic fibrosis |
20th May 2027 |
~10-12 |
18-20% |
| 5 |
Deutetrabenazine |
Teva Pharmaceuticals |
Drug-induced dyskinesia |
03rd April 2031 |
~0.9-1.1 |
~20-22% |