3258-02-4Relevant articles and documents
Orally efficacious broad-spectrum ribonucleoside analog inhibitor of influenza and respiratory syncytial viruses
Yoon, Jeong-Joong,Toots, Mart,Lee, Sujin,Lee, Myung-Eun,Ludeke, Barbara,Luczo, Jasmina M.,Ganti, Ketaki,Cox, Robert M.,Sticher, Zachary M.,Edpuganti, Vindya,Mitchell, Deborah G.,Lockwood, Mark A.,Kolykhalov, Alexander A.,Greninger, Alexander L.,Moore, Martin L.,Painter, George R.,Lowen, Anice C.,Tompkins, Stephen M.,Fearns, Rachel,Natchus, Michael G.,Plemper, Richard K.
, (2018)
Morbidity and mortality resulting from influenza-like disease are a threat, especially for older adults. To improve case management, next-generation broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics that are efficacious against major drivers of influenza-like disease, including influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), are urgently needed. Using a dual-pathogen high-throughput screening protocol for influenza A virus (IAV) and RSV inhibitors, we have identified N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC) as a potent inhibitor of RSV, influenza B viruses, and IAVs of human, avian, and swine origins. Biochemical in vitro polymerase assays and viral RNA sequencing revealed that the ribonucleotide analog is incorporated into nascent viral RNAs in place of cytidine, increasing the frequency of viral mutagenesis. Viral passaging in cell culture in the presence of an inhibitor did not induce robust resistance. Pharmacokinetic profiling demonstrated dose-dependent oral bioavailability of 36 to 56%, sustained levels of the active 5=-triphosphate anabolite in primary human airway cells and mouse lung tissue, and good tolerability after extended dosing at 800 mg/kg of body weight/day. The compound was orally efficacious against RSV and both seasonal and highly pathogenic avian IAVs in mouse models, reducing lung virus loads and alleviating disease biomarkers. Oral dosing reduced IAV burdens in a Guinea pig transmission model and suppressed virus spread to uninfected contact animals through direct transmission. Based on its broad-spectrum efficacy and pharmacokinetic properties, NHC is a promising candidate for future clinical development as a treatment option for influenza-like diseases.
An Engineered Cytidine Deaminase for Biocatalytic Production of a Key Intermediate of the Covid-19 Antiviral Molnupiravir
Birmingham, William R.,Burke, Ashleigh J.,Charnock, Simon J.,Crawshaw, Rebecca,Finnigan, James D.,Green, Anthony P.,Holgate, Gregory M.,Lovelock, Sarah L.,Muldowney, Mark P.,Rowles, Ian,Thorpe, Thomas W.,Turner, Nicholas J.,Young, Carl,Zhuo, Ying,Zucoloto Da Costa, Bruna
supporting information, p. 3761 - 3765 (2022/03/15)
The Covid-19 pandemic highlights the urgent need for cost-effective processes to rapidly manufacture antiviral drugs at scale. Here we report a concise biocatalytic process for Molnupiravir, a nucleoside analogue recently approved as an orally available treatment for SARS-CoV-2. Key to the success of this process was the development of an efficient biocatalyst for the production of N-hydroxy-cytidine through evolutionary adaption of the hydrolytic enzyme cytidine deaminase. This engineered biocatalyst performs >85 000 turnovers in less than 3 h, operates at 180 g/L substrate loading, and benefits from in situ crystallization of the N-hydroxy-cytidine product (85% yield), which can be converted to Molnupiravir by a selective 5′-acylation using Novozym 435.
Toward a Practical, Two-Step Process for Molnupiravir: Direct Hydroxamination of Cytidine Followed by Selective Esterification
Paymode, Dinesh J.,Vasudevan,Ahmad, Saeed,Kadam, Appasaheb L.,Cardoso, Flavio S.P.,Burns, Justina M.,Cook, Daniel W.,Stringham, Rodger W.,Snead, David R.
, p. 1822 - 1830 (2021/08/18)
A two-step synthesis of molnupiravir (1) is presented. This work focuses on the development of practical reaction and purification conditions toward a manufacturing route. The sequence commences from highly available cytidine (2), and molnupiravir is formed through direct hydroxamination of the cytosine ring and esterification of the sugar's primary alcohol without use of protecting or activating groups. A highly crystalline hydrate of N-hydroxycytidine (3) resulted in an easily purified intermediate, and a practical, off-the-shelf enzyme was selected for the acylation. The yield was increased through a chemically promoted, selective ester cleavage, which converted a byproduct, molnupiravir isobutyryl oxime ester (4), into the final API. Both reactions proceed in >90% assay yield, and crystallization procedures are used to afford intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients in purities above 99% with an overall yield of 60%. Excellent throughput and sustainability are achieved by limiting the total concentration to 7 volumes of solvent in the course of the two reactions with an overall PMI of 26 including work-up and isolation. Environmentally friendly solvents, water and 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran, enhance sustainability of the operation.
Development of a Robust Manufacturing Route for Molnupiravir, an Antiviral for the Treatment of COVID-19
Bade, Rachel,Bernardoni, Frank,Bothe, Jameson,Brito, Gilmar,Castro, Steve,Chang, Darryl,Diaz-Santana, Anthony,Diribe, Ike,Emerson, Khateeta M.,Fier, Patrick S.,Humphrey, Guy R.,Krishnamurthi, Bharath,Morris, William J.,Ouyand, Honggui,Poirier, Marc,Sirk, Kevin M.,Sirota, Eric,Stone, Kevin,Tan, Lushi,Taylor, Jerry,Ward, Michael,Xiao, Chengqian,Xu, Yingju,Zhan, Jianfeng,Zhang, Yongqian,Zhao, Ralph,Zheng, Michelle,Zompa, Michael A.
, p. 2806 - 2815 (2021/12/30)
Herein is described the development of a large-scale manufacturing process for molnupiravir, an orally dosed antiviral that was recently demonstrated to be efficacious for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. The yield, robustness, and efficiency of each of the five steps were improved, ultimately culminating in a 1.6-fold improvement in overall yield and a dramatic increase in the overall throughput compared to the baseline process.