What is the Role of Partition Coefficients in Drug Development?
In drug development, understanding the partition coefficient is essential for optimizing the pharmacokinetic properties of a compound. A balance between hydrophilicity and lipophilicity is crucial for ensuring that a drug can be absorbed efficiently, reach its target site, and be eliminated without causing adverse effects. Drugs with unfavorable partition coefficients may have poor absorption or extensive distribution in non-target tissues, leading to toxicity.