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Small Molecule Inhibitor

Meaning

A Small Molecule Inhibitor is a class of low molecular weight organic compounds, typically less than 900 Daltons, that can easily traverse cell membranes to modulate the activity of specific intracellular enzymes or receptor proteins. These agents are a crucial component of modern pharmacology, designed to block a particular step in a biochemical signaling pathway. Their small size allows them to access targets that are inaccessible to larger, protein-based biological drugs. They are often administered orally due to their high bioavailability.