Molecular Hybridization as a Tool for Designing Multitarget Drug Candidates for Complex Diseases

Molecular hybridization is a well-exploited medicinal chemistry strategy that aims to combine two molecules (or parts of them) in a new, single chemical entity. Recently, it has been recognized as an effective approach to design ligands able to modulate multiple targets of interest. Hybrid compounds can be obtained by linking (presence of a linker) or framework integration (merging or fusing) strategies. Although very promising to combat the multifactorial nature of complex diseases, the development of molecular hybrids faces the critical issues of selecting the right target combination and the achievement of a balanced activity towards them, while maintaining drug-like-properties. In this review, we present recent case histories from our own research group that demonstrate why and how molecular hybridization can be carried out to address the challenges of multitarget drug discovery in two therapeutic areas that are Alzheimer’s and parasitic diseases. Selected examples spanning from linker- to fragment- based hybrids will allow to discuss issues and consequences relevant to drug design.