Development of Prodrugs Possessing a Nitric Oxide Donor Diazen-1-Ium-1,2-Diolate Noiety Using in Vitro/in Silico Predictions

The present invention provides a method of using a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model to select a prodrug molecule (NO-X) comprising a therapeutic agent X (e.g. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, (NSAID)) and an appropriate nitric oxide donor NO. The NSAID can be a non-selective or selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor or other biocompatible compound comprising a carboxyl group. The pharmacokinetic model uses in vitro and/or in silico data to estimate an optimal set of parameters that can predict whether a particular NO-X candidate is capable of producing desirable therapeutic effects, e.g. enhanced anti-inflammatory activity, reduced intestinal, cardiac and renal toxicity. Accordingly, the present invention can greatly enhance proper selection of an appropriate candidate for drug development, thereby minimizing development time and conserving costs.