Emax Model: Pharmacodynamic Dose-Response Analysis

The Emax model is a nonlinear pharmacodynamic model that describes the relationship between drug concentration and biological effect. Introduced by Holford and Sheiner in 1981, it characterizes dose-response curves using three fundamental parameters: the maximum achievable effect (Emax), the concentration producing half-maximal effect (EC50), and an optional baseline effect (E0). It remains the standard framework in clinical pharmacology and drug development for quantifying pharmacodynamic dose-response relationships.