Drug Design for Chagas′Disease: Advances and Challenges [Planejamento de Fármacos na área de Doen a de Chagas: Avan os e Desafios]

The paper reports the general aspects about drug design and development, especially in the area of neglected diseases. The current scenario is emphasized, the recent advances in the Chagas’ disease chemotherapy are shown and the main challenges to be faced are discussed as well as the perspectives of the contribution of the Brazilian Medicinal Chemistry and of the Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Chemotherapeutic Agents potentially active on Neglected Diseases (LAPEN).