ligand efficiency

Ligand efficiency is a measure used in drug discovery to evaluate how effectively a small molecule (ligand) binds to a target, usually a protein, relative to its size. It represents the balance between the strength of the interaction and the molecular weight of the ligand. A higher ligand efficiency indicates that a smaller molecule can achieve significant binding, which is desirable as it often leads to better drug properties, such as lower side effects and easier absorption in the body. Essentially, it's about getting more "bang for your buck" in terms of binding potential.