By covering the full spectrum of topics relevant to peptidic drugs, this timely handbook serves as an introductory reference for both drug developers and biomedical researchers interested in pharmaceutically active peptides, presenting both the advantages and challenges associated with this molecular class.The first part discusses current approaches to developing pharmaceutically active peptides, including case studies of the use of peptidic drugs in cancer and AIDS therapy. The second part surveys strategies for the development and targeting of peptidic drugs.With its integration of biochemical, pharmaceutical and clinical research, this work reveals the full picture of modern peptide drug research in a single volume, making it an invaluable reference for medicinal chemists, biochemists, biotechnologists, and those in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries.