A natural hierarchy exists in pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling culminating in population pharmacokinetic models, which are a specific type of nonlinear mixed effects model. The purpose of this book is to present through theory and example how to develop pharmacokinetic models, both at an individual and population level. In order to do so, however, one must first understand linear models and then build to nonlinear models followed by linear mixed effects models and then ultimately nonlinear mixed effects models. This book develops in that manner – each chapter builds upon previous chapters by first presenting the theory and then illustrating the theory using published data sets and actual data sets that were used in the development of new chemical entities collected by the author during his years in industry. A key feature of the book is the process of modeling. Most books and manuscripts often present the final model never showing how the model evolved. In this book all examples are presented in an evolutionary manner.

The topics chosen for this volume were selected because they are some of the current development or technological issues facing drug development project teams.  They regard the practical considerations for assessment of selected special development populations.  For example, they include characterization of drug disposition in pregnant subjects, for measuring arrhythmic potential, for analysis tumor growth modeling, and for disease progression modeling.  Practical considerations for metabolite safety testing, transporter assessments, Phase 0 testing, and development and execution of drug interaction programs reflect current regulatory topics meant to address enhancement of both safety assessment and early decision-making during new candidate selection.  Important technologies like whole body autoradiography, digital imaging and dried blood spot sample collection methods are introduced, as both have begun to take a more visible role in pharmacokinetic departments throughout the industry. 

A natural hierarchy exists in pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling culminating in population pharmacokinetic models, which are a specific type of nonlinear mixed effects model. The purpose of this book is to present through theory and example how to develop pharmacokinetic models, both at an individual and population level. In order to do so, however, one must first understand linear models and then build to nonlinear models followed by linear mixed effects models and then ultimately nonlinear mixed effects models. This book develops in that manner – each chapter builds upon previous chapters by first presenting the theory and then illustrating the theory using published data sets and actual data sets that were used in the development of new chemical entities collected by the author during his years in industry. A key feature of the book is the process of modeling. Most books and manuscripts often present the final model never showing how the model evolved. In this book all examples are presented in an evolutionary manner.

The topics chosen for this volume were selected because they are some of the current development or technological issues facing drug development project teams.  They regard the practical considerations for assessment of selected special development populations.  For example, they include characterization of drug disposition in pregnant subjects, for measuring arrhythmic potential, for analysis tumor growth modeling, and for disease progression modeling.  Practical considerations for metabolite safety testing, transporter assessments, Phase 0 testing, and development and execution of drug interaction programs reflect current regulatory topics meant to address enhancement of both safety assessment and early decision-making during new candidate selection.  Important technologies like whole body autoradiography, digital imaging and dried blood spot sample collection methods are introduced, as both have begun to take a more visible role in pharmacokinetic departments throughout the industry.