Network Analysis of Drug–target Interactions: A Study on FDA-approved New Molecular Entities Between 2000 to 2015

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves new drugs every year. Drug targets are some of the most important interactive molecules for drugs, as they have a significant impact on the therapeutic effects of drugs. In this work, we thoroughly analyzed the data of small molecule drugs approved by the U.S. FDA between 2000 and 2015. Specifically, we focused on seven classes of new molecular entity (NME) classified by the anatomic therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification system. They were NMEs and their corresponding targets for the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, nerve system, general anti-infective systemic, genito-urinary system and sex hormones, alimentary tract and metabolisms, and antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents. To study the drug–target interaction on the systems level, we employed network topological analysis and multipartite network projections. As a result, the drug–target relations of different kinds of drugs were comprehensively characterized and global pictures of drug–target, drug–drug, and target–target interactions were visualized and analyzed from the perspective of network models.