Preface for special issue on new analytical techniques and methods in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics

Analytical technologies and approaches for drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) research in the pharmaceutical industry and academic research institutes have evolved rapidly over the past decade. On one hand. the discovery and development of small molecule drug candidates requires earlier and better understanding of their absorption, distribution,metabolism and excretion (ADME) in human as well as their interactions with metabolizing enzymes, transporters and drug targets, such as receptors and DNA. On the other hand. several new drug modalities and deliver systems. such as peptide and protein therapeutics. antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) and nano drug delivery systems, have been introduced into the drug pipelines.