42298-81-7Relevant articles and documents
Asymmetric Amination of α-Chiral Aliphatic Aldehydes via Dynamic Kinetic Resolution to Access Stereocomplementary Brivaracetam and Pregabalin Precursors
Fuchs, Christine S.,Farnberger, Judith E.,Steinkellner, Georg,Sattler, Johann H.,Pickl, Mathias,Simon, Robert C.,Zepeck, Ferdinand,Gruber, Karl,Kroutil, Wolfgang
supporting information, p. 768 - 778 (2017/12/27)
Over the last decades biocatalysis has emerged as an indispensable and versatile tool for the asymmetric synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). In this context, especially transaminases (TAs) have been successfully used for the preparation of numerous α-chiral, optically pure amines, serving as important building blocks for APIs. Here we elaborate on the development of transaminases recognizing the α-chiral centre adjacent to an aldehyde moiety with aliphatic residues, opening up concepts for novel synthetic routes to the antiepileptic drugs Brivaracetam and Pregabalin. The transformation proceeded via dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) based on the bio-induced racemisation of the aldehyde enantiomers, enabling the amination of the racemic substrates with quantitative conversions. Medium, substrate as well as enzyme engineering gave access to both (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of the amine precursors of the stereocomplementary drugs in high optical purity, representing a short route to mentioned APIs. (Figure presented.).
Discovery of 4-Substituted Pyrrolidone Butanamides as New Agents with Significant Antiepileptic Activity
Kenda, Benoit M.,Matagne, Alain C.,Talaga, Patrice E.,Pasau, Patrick M.,Differding, Edmond,Lallemand, Bénédicte I.,Frycia, Anne M.,Moureau, Florence G.,Klitgaard, Henrik V.,Gillard, Michel R.,Fuks, Bruno,Michel, Philippe
, p. 530 - 549 (2007/10/03)
(S)-α-ethyl-2-oxopyrrolidine acetamide 2 (levetiracetam, Keppra, UCB S.A.), a structural analogue of piracetam, has recently been approved as an add-on treatment of refractory partial onset seizures in adults. This drug appears to combine significant efficacy and high tolerability due to a unique mechanism of action. The latter relates to a brain-specific binding site for 2 (LBS for levetiracetam binding site) that probably plays a major role in its antiepileptic properties. Using this novel molecular target, we initiated a drug-discovery program searching for ligands with significant affinity to LBS with the aim to characterize their therapeutic potential in epilepsy and other central nervous system diseases. We systematically investigated the various positions of the pyrrolidone acetamide scaffold. We found that (i) the carboxamide moiety on 2 is essential for affinity; (ii) among 100 different side chains, the preferred substitution α to the carboxamide is an ethyl group with the (S)-configuration; (iii) the 2-oxopyrrolidine ring is preferred over piperidine analogues or acyclic compounds; (iv) substitution of positions 3 or 5 of the lactam ring decreases the LBS affinity; and (v) 4-substitution of the lactam ring by small hydrophobic groups improves the in vitro and in vivo potency. Six interesting candidates substituted in the 4-position have been shown to be more potent antiseizure agents in vivo than 2. Further pharmacological studies from our group led to the selection of (2S)-2-[(4R)-2-oxo-4-propylpyrrolidin-1-yl]butanamide 83α (ucb 34714) as the most interesting candidate. It is approximately 10 times more potent than 2 as an antiseizure agent in audiogenic seizure-prone mice. A clinical phase I program has been successfully concluded and 83α will commence several phase II trials during 2003.
