Medicinal and Toxicological Chemistry I
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the student with:
a) the knowledge that underlies the design and development of new active ingredients having the necessary requisites to be able to become drug candidates;
b) a good knowledge of the properties, the mechanisms of action and the use of the different classes of drugs treated;
c) the fundamental knowledge on the structure-activity relationships for the purpose of a more rational design aimed at a therapeutic effect free from contraindications and toxic effects;
d) indications concerning the synthetic methods used for the preparation of some of the drugs considered.
a) the knowledge that underlies the design and development of new active ingredients having the necessary requisites to be able to become drug candidates;
b) a good knowledge of the properties, the mechanisms of action and the use of the different classes of drugs treated;
c) the fundamental knowledge on the structure-activity relationships for the purpose of a more rational design aimed at a therapeutic effect free from contraindications and toxic effects;
d) indications concerning the synthetic methods used for the preparation of some of the drugs considered.
Expected learning outcomes
The student must demonstrate to have acquired what is foreseen by the educational objectives.
In particular, the student must demonstrate that he / she has acquired and understood:
a) the basic concepts of Medicinal Chemistry and the fundamental elements of drug design;
b) the notions provided on the chemical, chemical-physical, structural properties and on the mechanism of action of the drugs belonging to the therapeutic classes considered and the main synthetic strategies that can be used for the preparation of drugs.
In particular, the student must demonstrate that he / she has acquired and understood:
a) the basic concepts of Medicinal Chemistry and the fundamental elements of drug design;
b) the notions provided on the chemical, chemical-physical, structural properties and on the mechanism of action of the drugs belonging to the therapeutic classes considered and the main synthetic strategies that can be used for the preparation of drugs.
Lesson period: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Linea AK
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The syllabus is divided into two main parts: a general part and a systematic part.
General part:
Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry:
- Discovery and development of new drugs
- Molecular mechanisms of drug action
- Molecular targets of drugs
Drug design and development:
- Sources of research for lead compounds
- New "Drug design" strategies
- Structure-activity relationships (SAR).
- Pharmacophore research.
- Isosteria and bioisosteria
- Chemical-physical and biopharmaceutical properties of drugs and pharmacokinetics
- Prodrugs (prodrugs)
- Quantitative Relationships Structure-Activity (QSAR)
Systematic part:
- Antiseptics and disinfectants
- Synthetic antibacterials
- Antibiotics
- Antimycobacterial drugs
- Antiparasitic drugs
- Antimalarial drugs
- Anthelmintic drugs
- Antifungal drugs
- Antiviral drugs
- Anticancer drugs
- Steroid hormones (glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, estrogens, progestins and androgens) and related drugs
- Hypoglycemic drugs
General part:
Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry:
- Discovery and development of new drugs
- Molecular mechanisms of drug action
- Molecular targets of drugs
Drug design and development:
- Sources of research for lead compounds
- New "Drug design" strategies
- Structure-activity relationships (SAR).
- Pharmacophore research.
- Isosteria and bioisosteria
- Chemical-physical and biopharmaceutical properties of drugs and pharmacokinetics
- Prodrugs (prodrugs)
- Quantitative Relationships Structure-Activity (QSAR)
Systematic part:
- Antiseptics and disinfectants
- Synthetic antibacterials
- Antibiotics
- Antimycobacterial drugs
- Antiparasitic drugs
- Antimalarial drugs
- Anthelmintic drugs
- Antifungal drugs
- Antiviral drugs
- Anticancer drugs
- Steroid hormones (glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, estrogens, progestins and androgens) and related drugs
- Hypoglycemic drugs
Prerequisites for admission
In order to effectively engage with the course topics, students should have a solid knowledge of organic chemistry and biological chemistry, as well as a basic understanding of physiology.
In addition to the prerequisites outlined in the course study plan, it is recommended that students pass the Organic Chemistry II exam before taking this course, in order to better understand the synthetic aspects.
In addition to the prerequisites outlined in the course study plan, it is recommended that students pass the Organic Chemistry II exam before taking this course, in order to better understand the synthetic aspects.
Teaching methods
The course includes lectures during which he various topics outlined in the syllabus are presented.
Teaching Resources
Recommended books:
Graham L. Patrick
Chimica Farmaceutica
EdiSES, Napoli
Thomas L. Lemke, David A. Williams
Foye's Principi di Chimica Farmaceutica
PICCIN, Padova
Alberto Gasco, Fulvio Gualtieri, Carlo Melchiorre
Chimica Farmaceutica - Seconda edizione
Zanichelli, Bologna
Supporting material:
Avaialble in digital format by download from myAriel site.
Graham L. Patrick
Chimica Farmaceutica
EdiSES, Napoli
Thomas L. Lemke, David A. Williams
Foye's Principi di Chimica Farmaceutica
PICCIN, Padova
Alberto Gasco, Fulvio Gualtieri, Carlo Melchiorre
Chimica Farmaceutica - Seconda edizione
Zanichelli, Bologna
Supporting material:
Avaialble in digital format by download from myAriel site.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam, which must be completed within 90 minutes, consists of a written test with 30 questions: 15 on the general part and 15 on the systematic part of drugs. The overall evaluation is expressed in thirtieths. Specifically, each correct answer contributes up to 1/30 to the final grade, for a total of 30/30.
The final exam result is communicated via email through the SIFA/UniMia platform within one week from the exam date, unless otherwise specified. Sample exam questions are available on the course's Ariel platform. In addition, attending students have the opportunity to take the exam through two written in-course tests, the first scheduled at the end of January and the second, at their choice, in June or September. Each test must be completed in 45 minutes and consists of 15 questions covering the material taught in the first and second semester, respectively. The evaluation is expressed in thirtieths. Specifically, each correct answer can contribute up to 2/30 to the final grade, for a total of 30/30. Only students who have obtained a minimum score of 16/30 in the first test will be allowed to take the second one. If either of the two tests is not passed, the student will be required to take the full written exam (see above) or wait until the following academic year to take the new in-course tests. The final grade is the average of the scores obtained in the two in-course tests and, as with the full written exam, is communicated via email through the SIFA/UniMia platform within one week of the test date, unless otherwise specified.
The final exam result is communicated via email through the SIFA/UniMia platform within one week from the exam date, unless otherwise specified. Sample exam questions are available on the course's Ariel platform. In addition, attending students have the opportunity to take the exam through two written in-course tests, the first scheduled at the end of January and the second, at their choice, in June or September. Each test must be completed in 45 minutes and consists of 15 questions covering the material taught in the first and second semester, respectively. The evaluation is expressed in thirtieths. Specifically, each correct answer can contribute up to 2/30 to the final grade, for a total of 30/30. Only students who have obtained a minimum score of 16/30 in the first test will be allowed to take the second one. If either of the two tests is not passed, the student will be required to take the full written exam (see above) or wait until the following academic year to take the new in-course tests. The final grade is the average of the scores obtained in the two in-course tests and, as with the full written exam, is communicated via email through the SIFA/UniMia platform within one week of the test date, unless otherwise specified.
CHIM/08 - PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 10
Lessons: 80 hours
Professor:
Pedretti Alessandro
Linea LZ
Responsible
Lesson period
year
CHIM/08 - PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 10
Lessons: 80 hours
Professor:
Dallanoce Clelia Mariangiola Luisa
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment
Reception:
Every day by appointment
Deparment of Pharmaceutical Sciences - Medicinal Chemistry