Published in Cell, the study creates a strategy called chemical endocytic medicinal chemistry that may revolutionize how endocytic drugs in the future are designed and developed.

“Chemical endocytic medicinal chemistry has the potential to impact every aspect of endocytic drugs from drug discovery and development to clinical practice,” said Li.

In this novel process, drug molecules are designed to better engage with CD36, a protein receptor found on the surface of many cells. By optimizing chemical interactions with CD36, the team was able to enhance the natural function of CD36, essentially increasing the gateway for larger and polar drug compounds to enter the cell.