Landscape of small molecules derived from marine sources and their clinical progression

1. Marine organisms have fascinated scientists with their unique and unparalleled biodiversity and therapeutic potential.2. They are known to possess novel bioactive compounds with varied pharmacological properties that encompass anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antiviral, and cardioprotective properties.3. The review is put forth to discuss key advancements in landscapes of small molecules derived from marine sources, along with their clinical status.4. We also identify key challenges in marine drug discovery, such as access to marine organisms, supply chain sustainability, chemical diversity, synthesis complexity, bioavailability optimization, and intellectual property concerns.4. The review also put forth the discussions on improving the drug discovery area from marine sources by considering the advancements in marine biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and interdisciplinary collaborations.5. Redressing these challenges and adopting emerging technologies, the potential of marine biodiversity may be harnessed for biomedical innovation and, in turn, contribute to health and promote environmental sustainability.