Version 2026.3 of the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology database was released on 16th September 2026, our third release of the year. This blog post gives details of the key content updates and website changes. GtoPdb now contains:
- 3,147 human targets, 1,837 of which have curated quantitative ligand interactions.
- 13,989 ligands, 10,072 of which have curated quantitative target interactions.
- 2,248 approved drugs, 1,276 with curated quantitative interactions.
- Clinical use summaries for 4,398 ligands.
- 24,934 curated interactions, 22,630 which are quantitative.
- Data curated from 50,429 references
In this release, 133 new ligands, 335 new curated interactions have been added.
Commercial Access to GtoPdb
As a reminder to all our users, the Guide to Pharmacology has always been an open-access, freely available resource. Our expert-curated database of pharmacological data has been maintained over the past 10-15 years on ever changing and sadly, diminishing financial resources. The current funding landscape threatens our ability to ensure the Guide to Pharmacology’s sustainability going forward.
Therefore GtoPdb now requires commercial organisations, that use GtoPdb, to pay access fees which will be used to support its future maintenance, curation and sustainability. More information can be found on our website: GtoPdb – Financial Sustainability Support.
User Registration and Login System
Our users registration and login system for GtoPdb is now operational. This requires all users to register with GtoPdb in order to access the website, database and web-services. Users also require an API Key to access our web services.
This new system was first implemented on 18th August 2026. We thank all our users who have registered so far, it is really encouraging to see this level of engagement with GtoPdb. We also extend our thanks to those commercial organisations who have already been in touch to pay their access fees, your support is greatly appreciated.
Curation Update
New Targets
| TID | Family | Gene | Name | Comment |
| 3357 | E3 ubiquitin ligase components | FBXO22 | F-box protein 22 | A FBXO22-engaging PROTAC was curated |
| 3358 | Immunoglobulin like domain containing proteins | TREM1 | triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 | Immunomodulatory potential; 2 inhibitors curated |
| 3359 | Immunoglobulin like domain containing proteins | FCGR2B | Fc gamma receptor IIb | Anti-FCGR2B mAb curated |
| 3360 | C19: Ubiquitin-specific protease | USP7 | ubiquitin specific peptidase 7 | 5 inhibitors curated |
| 3361 | C19: Ubiquitin-specific protease | USP30 | ubiquitin specific peptidase 30 | 4 inhibitors curated |
| 3362 | CD molecules | LILRB4 | Immunosuppressive immune checkpoint receptor, implicated in tumour immune evasion. Small molecule and mAb inhibitors curated |
Drug Approvals
Drug approvals now total 57 for 2026, of which 38 are first-time approvals from the US FDA. A set of 15 drugs with first time approvals in China and Japan were included for curation. Only 11 of the new approved drugs do not meet the criteria to be included in the Guide to PHARMACOLOGY.
N.B. Drugs approved since 2021 are curated by year here https://www.guidetopharmacology.org/GRAC/DrugApprovalsForward
Target Family Updates
The Adrenoceptors family has been fully reviewed. This release sees completion of the updates for all AR detailed pages. This includes major revisions to the agonist and antagonist interactions tables for the beta-ARs.
Web Services – REST API
At our last release, a change was made to our target end points. When requesting a single target, a more detailed output is provided, which includes cross-referencing IDs to HGNC, RGD and MGI.
The URL syntax for a single target is https://www.guidetopharmacology.org/services/targets/{targetId}, e.g. https://www.guidetopharmacology.org/services/targets/3
All other target end-points remain the same, showing a shorter summarised target information.
Our REST API now require the use of an API Key to access. Please get in touch with us if you require an API Key.
guidetopharmacology blog 
Leave a comment