ADME properties determine the disposition of a drug once it enters the body. These influence the drug levels in plasma and tissues, and the kinetics of its exposure to the tissues. In turn this influences the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the compound.
Absorption: In order for a compound to reach its target in the body, it must pass into the blood, unless there is a direct injection to the site of action. Typically it must get through surfaces such as the intestinal mucosa before it can reach the target cells. Many factors will affect absorption and must be understood to achieve an optimally effective medicine.
Distribution: Once a compound is absorbed, it has to be distributed usually through the blood stream. It can then be transferred to tissues and organs commonly called compartments. This is a reversible transfer between one compartment to another.
Metabolism: Compounds begin to be metabolized as soon as they enter the body. If the compound is orally delivered, there are enzymes in the GI tract and lumen that will start this process Most of the metabolism is carried out by the liver where the drug goes immediately after being absorbed through the GI. This is called first pass metabolism.
Excretion: After distribution and metabolism, the drug and its metabolites will be removed from the body. Excretion normally occurs in the urine and feces while some can occur through the lungs as gases
The worth of ADME data lies in how it is analyzed and interpreted. Whether you are screening compounds or interpreting clinical results, PharmaDirections’ ADME experts can help you design and implement studies for maximum impact as well as making the most of the data you have on hand.
We use industry standard tools, such as ADMET Predictor to go a step further in providing a deep scientific insight into how those ADME parameters impact the development pathway and the design of optimal dosage forms. Activities we support include:
- Human dose prediction from animal data
- Dose regime selection
- Hepatic microsomes or S9 fraction
- Identification of CYP450 Enzymes
- Structural Determination of Metabolites
- Feasibility for controlled release dosage forms
- Intellectual Property Generation (Learn more)
Case Study showing an assessment of a metabolite’s contribution to a drug’s mode of action