The property of nonsuperimposability of an object on its mirror image is called chirality. Enantiomers of a chiral compound with same molecular formula behave as a single entity in symmetric environment. Modern advances in chemical synthesis, chiral separation and analytical techniques enabled the drug manufacturers, pharmaceutical industries to make and market the single Enantiomeric drugs. The separate enantiomers of chiral racemate may exhibit different pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile due to the presence of asymmetric environment present in the body. Regulatory agencies are also encouraging pharmaceutical firms to launch single enantiomers instead of racemate. The old racemate has been reevaluated as potential single enantiomer products with the possibility for an improved therapeutic profile, this process is known as chiral switch, which provide market exclusivity period. The re-evaluation of individual enantiomer may or may not give the therapeutic profile and may associate with higher incidence of side effects. The present article addressed the basics of chirality, stereoselective pharmacokinetics and biological activity of single enantiomers, chiral switch and market trend of single enantiomers.
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