Sustainable Approaches to Marine Drug Development

Abstract

The exponential growth of the world population and the emergence of new diseases demand innovative drug discovery approaches. With 75% of the Earth's surface covered by water, marine organisms offer untapped potential for drug development. This chapter reviews drugs and potential candidates from marine origins, emphasizing opportunities in marine pharmacology research. Recent years have seen a resurgence in drug discovery from marine natural products, exemplified by Ziconotide and trabectedin. Traditional knowledge, such as that of the Kinh people of China, underscores the medicinal richness of marine ecosystems. Despite concerns about conservation, evidence suggests minimal environmental impact from marine bioprospecting. Sustainable approaches include mandatory collection protocols, environmental assessments, and synthesis. Integration of conservation efforts with pharmaceutical research ensures the therapeutic benefits of marine resources while preserving biodiversity and traditional knowledge for future generations.