Chemistry 250 Course: Advances in Pharmaceutical Research

     Ever since the concept of a "magic bullet" by Paul Ehrlich, the founder of chemotherapy, the synergistic combination of advances in monoclonal antibody development and the discoveries of potent anti-cancer natural products have resulted in the bourgeoning field of antibody drug conjugates as selective and targeted therapeutic agents for the treatment of a wide array of cancers.  The development of the small molecule components of antibody drug conjugates, the cytotoxic drugs and the linkers, are particularly challenging given their structural complexity and functional group diversity.  Practical challenges in developing processes for highly potent drugs will be surveyed with highlights of potential opportunities for novel methodology development.