Matched triplicate design sets in the optimisation of glucokinase activators - maximising medicinal chemistry information contentElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: References for experimental protocols, full data for the compounds summarised in Table 3 and the X-ray crystallography protocol. See DOI: 10.1039/c3md20367k

Successful lead optimisation requires the identification of the best compound within the chemical space explored during an optimisation campaign. This can be a costly and inefficient process leading to the synthesis of many sub-optimal compounds. In this paper, a method for carrying out this exercise more effectively is outlined. This relies on the generation of robust datasets on which to build predictive models in a paradigm termed "matched triplicate design sets". The practical implementation of this approach is exemplified in the optimisation of a new series of glucokinase activators. The implementation of "matched-triplicate design sets" has allowed more robust decision making in the optimisation of glucokinase activators.