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  • 1.  P-gp substrate liability

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 09-25-2025 12:35
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    Hi all,

    How do companies manage chemical that are P-gp substrate during drug discovery and development? Do they use TPGS in the formulation to inhibit P-gp and increase the potency of chemicals (i.e. IC50 or IC90 is 1 pg/mL) for the target while the interaction of the chemical with P-gp could be in ug range? What are the other strategies? Do companies rank order (or eliminate) compounds based on P-gp liability?  

    Thanks in advance!



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  • 2.  RE: P-gp substrate liability

    Community Leadership
    Posted 09-26-2025 00:59

    Molecules are advanced based on overall developability and not eliminated solely for being P-gp substrates. P-gp is not a stand-alone kill criterion, instead it's managed contextually, screened in tiers, and weighed alongside potency, ADME, safety margins, and projected human dose. 



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    Pankajini Mallick Ph.D.
    Sr. Principal Scientist, DMPK, PK/PD
    San Diego CA


    Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.
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  • 3.  RE: P-gp substrate liability

    Community Leadership
    Posted 09-26-2025 01:13

    TPGS (similar other excipients) may transiently inhibit intestinal P-gp and improve oral exposure, but translation to humans is uncertain and does not address BBB efflux. One of the  primary mitigation is through chemistry (e.g removing P-gp motifs, improving permeability). 

    Any other thoughts from anyone with P-gp/BBB experience, what would you do here?



    ------------------------------
    Pankajini Mallick Ph.D.
    Sr. Principal Scientist, DMPK, PK/PD
    San Diego CA


    Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.
    ------------------------------