A pharmacophore model is a conceptual framework used in drug design that represents the essential features of a molecule necessary for its biological activity. It identifies the spatial arrangement of atoms or groups that interact with a specific biological target, such as a protein or enzyme. This model helps researchers understand how different compounds can achieve similar therapeutic effects. By using pharmacophore models, scientists can screen large libraries of compounds to find potential drug candidates more efficiently. This approach is crucial in fields like medicinal chemistry and computational biology, as it streamlines the process of discovering new medications and optimizing existing ones.