Book excerpt: An integrated and insightful look at successful drug synthesis in today's drug discovery market The pharmaceutical industry is unquestionably vibrant today, with drug synthesis making a vital contribution. Whether in the early developmental stages of identifying and optimizing a lead, or the latter stages of process development and cost-effective scale-up, the ability to design elegant and economical synthetic routes is often a major factor in the eventual viability and commercial success of a drug. Contemporary Drug Synthesis examines how leading researchers and manufacturers have integrated chemistry, biology, pharmacokinetics, and a host of other disciplines in the creation and development of leading drugs. Authored by four of the pharmaceutical industry's most respected scientists, this timely volume: Focuses on the processes that resulted in high-profile drugs including Lipitor, Celebrex, Viagra, Gleevec, Nexium, Claritin, and over a dozen others Provides an in-depth introduction to each drug, followed by a detailed account of its synthesis Organizes the drugs into fourteen therapeutic areas for clarity and ease of use Process chemists provide an essential bridge between chemistry and the marketplace, creating scientifically practical drug processes while never losing sight of the commercial viability of those processes. Contemporary Drug Synthesis meets the needs of a growing community of researchers in pharmaceutical research and development, and is both a useful guide for practicing pharmaceutical scientists and an excellent text for medicinal and organic chemistry students.