Sulfoximines in Medicinal Chemistry: Emerging Trends and Opportunities from the Drug Designer’s Perspective

Extension of the medicinal chemistry toolbox is in the vital interest of drug designers who are confronted with the task of finding molecular solutions for an ever-increasing biological target space. However, the diffusion of an innovation can be a lengthy process even within the drug discovery community which faces enormous pressure to formulate effective solutions for patients in a timely manner. Along these lines, it took almost 70 years before the use of the sulfoximine group reached a critical mass in medicinal chemistry. Even though interest in this versatile functional group has increased exponentially in recent years, there is ample room for further innovative applications. This minireview highlights emerging trends and opportunities for drug designers for the utilization of the sulfoximine group in medicinal chemistry, such as in the construction of complex molecules, proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) and novel warheads for covalent inhibition.