RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN DRUG REPURPOSING: A MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Drug repurposing, also known as drug repositioning, has emerged as an effective strategy for accelerating drug development by identifying new therapeutic uses for existing drugs. From a medicinal chemistry perspective, drug repurposing leverages known chemical scaffolds, established safety profiles, and well-characterized pharmacokinetic properties to reduce development time, cost, and risk. Recent advances in computational chemistry, high-throughput screening, and systems biology have significantly expanded the scope of repurposing approaches. This review discusses contemporary strategies in drug repurposing with emphasis on medicinal chemistry principles, including structure–activity relationships, target promiscuity, and chemical optimization. Key therapeutic applications, challenges, and future prospects are also highlighted, demonstrating the growing importance of repurposing in modern drug discovery.