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RABEPRAZOLE
Pariprazole sodium;Rabeprazole sodium;LY-307640;E-3810;Aciphex;Pariet
Rabeprazole /ˌræ.ˈbɛp.ræ.zɔːl/ is an antiulcer drug in the class of proton pump inhibitors. It was developed by Eisai Co. and is marketed by Janssen-Cilag as the sodium salt under the brand names AcipHex (/ˈæsɨfɛks/, referring to pH) in the US, Pariet in Europe, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Russia and Australia, Acigard, Cyra, Rabium, Esoon,Orporo, Parit, Rabemac, Rabiloz, Razo, Rabifast, Rablet and Rabsiv in India, and Zechin in Pakistan.
Rabeprazole, 2-[[[4-(3-Methoxypropoxy)-3-methyl-2-pyridinyl]methyl]sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole has the following structural formula
Rabeprazole belongs to a class of antisecretory compounds (substituted benzimidazole proton-pump inhibitors) that do not exhibit anticholinergic or histamine H2-receptor antagonist properties, but suppress gastric acid secretion by inhibiting the gastric H+, K+ATPase at the secretory surface of the gastric parietal cell. Because this enzyme is regarded as the acid (proton) pump within the parietal cell, rabeprazole has been characterized as a gastric proton-pump inhibitor. Rabeprazole blocks the final step of gastric acid secretion. So that it can effectively inhibit the secretion of an acid and is therefore effective in the therapy or prevention of human and animal peptic ulcer.
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US 5045552 discloses the preparation of Rabeprazole sodium by known traditional procedures, such as dissolution of the product in a mixture of stoichiometric quantity of aqueous sodium hydroxide and ethanol, then removal of water azeotropically, thereafter drying the residue at low pressure and then crystallization of the residue with less polar solvent such as diethyl ether, tert-butyl methyl ether.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,552 discloses the Rabeprazole and many other substituted benzimidazole-type compounds having anti-ulcer activity. This patent further discloses the process for preparation of Rabeprazole by oxidation of Rabeprazole sulfide using 85% m-chloroperbenzoic acid in a mixture of dichloromethane and diethyl ether followed by work up to get product as oil. The obtained oil is crystallized from a mixture of dichloromethane/ether. Optionally the oily crude is dissolved in aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. The obtained solution is subjected to azeotropic distillation with ethanol to remove water and adding ether to get crystalline Rabeprazole base.
According to the prior art, Rabeprazole base is crystallized using dichloromethane/ether to obtain crystalline off white product. The HPLC purity is less than or equal to 99% and the isolation procedure involves azeotropic distillation of water, during which the product is exposed to high temperature and leads to certain impurities. Repeated crystallization is needed to remove impurities to get desired quality. Using large volumes of chlorinated solvents in the plant leads to environmental hazardous.
Japanese patent application JP2001039975 teaches that the product obtained by example 33 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,552 with a melting range of 140-141° C. corresponds to amorphous rabeprazole sodium
The U.S. Pat. No. 6,919,459 patent also discloses the process for the preparation of Rabeprazole by oxidation of Rabeprazole sulfide using m-Chloroperbenzoic acid (m-CPBA) in a suitable solvent. The reaction mass is subjected to repeated washings at different pH levels and isolate the product from aqueous layer.
Rabeprazole is not stable at acidic conditions and decomposes to form unknown impurities. To remove these impurities repeated crystallizations are required to get desire quality of the final product.
The WO2006/117802 PCT application discloses the process for the preparation of Rabeprazole sodium by oxidation of Rabeprazole sulfide with sodium hypo halite solution in water or a mixture of water and water miscible solvent medium using alkali metal hydroxide and catalyst. The reaction mass is saturated by inorganic saturating agents and the Rabeprazole sodium salt is extracted with water immiscible organic solvent. Organic solvent is distilled and the residue is dissolved in second organic solvent to get clear solution, which is precipitated by adding antisolvent.
The WO2006/120701 PCT application discloses process for manufacture of amorphous Rabeprazole sodium by the reaction of Rabeprazole base with aqueous sodium hydroxide. Ethanol is added to the obtained solution. Solvents are distilled from the solution to get thick mass. Organic solvent is added to the obtained residue to get clear solution, to which antisolvent is added to get amorphous Rabeprazole sodium.
The prior art methods cited above have many disadvantages, these methods involve more number of organic solvents and lack successive extractions and washings of the layers during work up procedure. It leads to many impurities that ultimately affect on purity and yield loss of final product.
The U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,652 and WO 2003101452 PCT application discloses the process for the preparation of amorphous rabeprazole sodium, which is obtained by lyophilization of an aqueous solution of rabeprazole sodium acetone complex and an aqueous NaOH solution of Rabeprazole respectively.
Lyophilization technique is not suitable for production at industrial scale and it needs more time cycle and involves the cost.
We observed that rabeprazole is rapidly degraded in chlorinated solvent like dichloromethane to form unknown impurities, due to impurities while distillation gummy material is formed. It leads to yellowish color in final product, finally it leads to yield loss in final product.
According to prior art methods,
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- (a) Dichloromethane/ether is used for final crystallization gives off white product with HPLC purity less than or equal to 99% and
- (b) Rabeprazole sodium is isolated by using azeotropic distillation. It needs high temperature to remove water and the reaction mass is exposed to high temperature to form unknown impurities, to remove these impurities repeated crystallizations are required to get desire quality of the final product
US 6,313,303 discloses the preparation of sulfoxides by oxidizing thio ether with a peroxoborate salt in the presence of an acid anhydride or a metal catalyst; and the preparation of sulfoxides by oxidizing thio ether with an N- halosuccinimide, l,3-dihalo-5,5-dimethyl-hydantoin or dichloroisocyanuric acid salt in the presence of a base.
IN 192030 discloses the purification process of Rabeprazole, in which sulfone enriched Rabeprazole is treated with an amino alcohol e.g. ethanolamine in the presence of an organic solvent, further the reaction mixture washed with water to remove the sulfone impurities. US 7,439,367 (IN218648, 058/MUM/2003, 193/MUM/2003) discloses the preparation of Rabeprazole by oxidizing its corresponding sulfide compound, where aqueous hypohalite solution is used as an oxidizing agent. The said oxidation is carried out at a controlled temperature and pH. During said oxidation the pH of the reaction mixture is maintained in the range of 9 to 12. This process utilizes catalyst such as pyridine, di-isopropyl ethyl amine and N,N-dimethyl amino pyridine.
US 7,060,837 discloses the purification of lansoprazole using ammonia, ammonium hydroxide, diethylamine, triethylamine and methylamine in the presence of solvent. The said patent utilizes acid for the isolation of lanzoprazole in pure form.
US 2008/0161579 (IN190/MUM/2005) discloses a process for the preparation of Rabeprazole sodium comprising oxidation of Rabeprazole sulfide with sodium hypohalite in water or a mixture of water and water miscible solvent using alkali metal hydroxide and catalyst. It also discloses a process for the preparation of Rabeprazole sulfide.
WO 2008/045777 (1856/CHE/2006) discloses the preparation of
Rabeprazole by oxidizing the corresponding sulfide compound using about 0.8 to 1.25 equivalents of an oxidizing agent in the presence of less than or about 2.25 equivalents of a base where aqueous sodium hypohalite used as an oxidizing agent.
WO 2006/024890 discloses a process for the preparation of Rabeprazole in which the Rabeprazole obtained was treated with the triethylamine in hexane. The use of n-hexane in the final stage is not suitable for manufacturing point of view as it is difficult to remove residual hexane solvent. There are several disadvantages associated with such known processes; all the methods reported in these prior arts leads to the formation of many impurities which ultimately affects the purity of the final product.
US 5,045,552 patent discloses the preparation of Rabeprazole by oxidizing the Rabeprazole sulfide using m-chloroperbenzoic acid as shown in scheme-I. The crude Rabeprazole was dissolved in sodium hydroxide and the resulting solution was azeotropically distilled together with ethanol thrice to remove the water. Finally ether was added to get the crystals of Rabeprazole sodium
WO 03/101452 discloses a method for the preparation of Rabeprazole sodium comprising dissolving Rabeprazole base in aqueous sodium hydroxide and then subjecting to lyophilization.


Souda, S.; Ueda, N.; Miyazawa, S.; Tagami, K.; Nomoto, S.; Okita, M.; Shimomura, N.; Kaneko, T.; Fujimoto, M.; Murakami, M.; Oketani, K.; Fujisaki, H.; Shibata, H.; Wakabayashi, T. (Eisai Co., Ltd.); Pyridine derivs., pharmaceutical compsns. comprising the same, the use of the same for the manufacture of medicaments having therapeutic or preventative value, and a process for preparing the same. AU 8781138; EP 0268956; EP 0475456; EP 0654471; EP 0786461; JP 1989006270; JP 1993247035; JP 1995291967; US 5045552; US 5998445 .
Castaner, J.; Prous, J.; E-3810. Drugs Fut 1991, 16, 1, 19.
Sohda, S.; Tagami, K.; Chiku, S.; Synthesis of 14C-labelled sodium pariprazole (E3810). J Label Compd Radiopharm 1993, 33, 9, 849.

Rabeprazole as “CYRA” (Systopic Labs Pvt Ltd), “Elpizole” (Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals), Elpizole-20 (Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals), Rablet (Lupin), Acigard (3D), AcipHex, Rabeloc, Pariet, Rabider (Duta Formulations) Rabsiv 20 (Saharsh Biologicals) is supplied in:
- Tablet, enteric-coated; 10 mg
- Tablet, enteric-coated; 20 mg
- Pali-Schöll I, Jensen-Jarolim E (April 2011). “Anti-acid medication as a risk factor for food allergy”. Allergy 66 (4): 469–77. doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2010.02511.x. PMID 21121928.
HPLC METHOD
Rabeprazole with more impurities, particularly at 2.12 RRT (393 mass), 3.51 RRT (491 mass), 4.47 RRT (457 mass), 4.85 RRT (684 mass) and 4.54 RRT (893 mass). The mass (molecular or formula weight) number of the impurities were identified using LCMS. Particularly, the obtained product contains unknown impurities of higher molecular weight in the range of 0.1-1.0 % at relative retention time (RRT) of 2.12, 3.51, 4.47, 4.85, and 4.54 RRT as measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method provided below.
The purity of the product obtained is determined by high performance liquid chromatography method under the conditions mentioned below.
Column: Prontosil Kromabond 100-5-C18 (250 x 4.6 mm), 5μ,
Mobile phase A: 1.36g KH2PO4 to 1 litre water, 0.5ml OfEt3N, Mobile phase B: Methanol: ACN (95:5),
Diluent: Mobile phase A and ACN (70:30),
Flow Rate: 1.0 mL/min,
Detection: UV at 280 nm,
Injection Volume: 20 μL, Run Time: 60 min.
Column oven temperature: 3O0C. Surprisingly the applicant identified a method in which, crude Rabeprazole was treated with diethylamine and optionally addition of TBAB (tetrabutylammmonium bromide) as catalyst, where the impurity level reduced. Though the reported amines like triethyl amine, ethanolamine, and ammonia are effectively used to minimize sulfone impurity, those are failed or unsatisfactory to remove the impurities at 2.12 RRT, 3.51 RRT, 4.47 RRT, 4.85 RRT and 4.54 RRT.
SPECTRAL DATA
EP 1869015 B1 FOR RABEPRAZOLE SODIUM
IR Spectra (KBr, cm-1): 3382, 2927, 1583, 1462, 1384, 1298, 1269, 1190, 1157, 1093, 1018, 745.
H NMR Spectra [200 M Hz, CD3OD] δ (ppm): 8.23 – 8.25 (1H, d, ArH); 7.57 – 7.62 (2H, m, ArH); 7.0 – 7.09 (2H, m, ArH); 6.87 – 6.90 (1H, d, ArH); 4.57 – 4.63 (2H, d, O=S-CH2-Ar); 4.0 – 4.1 (2H, t, -O-CH2-CH2-); 3.49 – 3.55 (2H, t, -CH2-O-CH3); 3.31 (3H, s, -OCH3); 2.1 (3H, s, Ar-CH3); 1.96 – 2.0 (2H, t, -CH2-CH2-CH2-).
MP
As per the process described and exemplified in the U. S. Patent No.
5,045,552, rabeprazole sodium is prepared by oxidizing 2-[[4-(3- methoxyporpoxy)-3-methylpyridine-2-yl]rnethylthio]-1 H-benzimidazole with m- chloroperbenzoic acid to afford the rabeprazole base which is further converted to its sodium salt by using 0.1 N aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, followed by addition of ethanol. The water is removed by azeotropic distillation and the product is precipitated by using ether as solvent such as diethyl ether, tert-butyl methyl ether. The melting point of the disclosed rabeprazole sodium salt is 140- 1410C. The isolation process described in the U. S. Patent No. 5,045,552 has numerous disadvantages such as large volume of solvents is required for azeotropic removal of water during which the product is exposed to high temperature and leads to certain impurities. Based on these drawbacks the isolation process finds to be unsuitable for preparation of amorphous rabeprazole sodium at commercial scale operations.
Japanese patent application JP 2001039975 indicates that the product obtained by example 33 of the U. S. Patent No. 5,045,552 with a melting point of
140-1410C corresponds to amorphous rabeprazole sodium. In this application, the X-ray powder diffraction pattern of the amorphous rabeprazole sodium is shown.
The PCT patent publication No. WO 03/101452 discloses a method for the preparation of rabeprazole sodium comprising dissolving rabeprazole base in aqueous sodium hydroxide and then subjecting to lyophilization. U.S. Patent No. 6,180,652 B1 (the ‘652 patent) describes acetone complex of rabeprazole sodium, process for its production and characterizes it by powder X-ray diffraction, infra-red spectroscopy and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The ‘652 patent further reports a process for preparation of amorphous rabeprazole sodium by lyophilizing (freeze-drying) an aqueous solution of rabeprazole sodium acetone complex.
However, lyophilization is a technique, which is not suitable for production at industrial scale because this process presents serious limitations on cost, time, equipment capability and environmental protection.
According to PCT patent publication No. WO 2004/085424A1 , amorphous rabeprazole sodium is obtained by heating the rabeprazole sodium acetone complex at elevated temperature, preferably between 100 and 1100C. It is well known that exposing rabeprazole-type compounds to high temperatures increases the risk of decomposition to form impurities and as such, heat treatment of rabeprazole sodium acetone complex into amorphous rabeprazole sodium is not adequate for the production of a rabeprazole which is suitable for pharmaceutical use.
PCT patent publication No. WO 2007/023393 A2 reports a process for preparation of amorphous rabeprazole sodium, the said process comprises: i) contacting rabeprazole sodium acetone complex with a first solvent system which includes a hydrocarbon solvent or an ether solvent or an alcohol solvent or mixtures thereof; ii) filtering the solid from the solvent system used in step i) or distilling the solvent system used in step i) under reduced or atmospheric pressure, to thereby obtain a residue; iii) contacting the wet solid or the residue of step ii) with a second solvent system which includes a hydrocarbon solvent or an ether solvent; and iv) filtering to obtain a wet solid from the solvent system used in step iii) to obtain a wet solid.
The methods for preparation of amorphous rabeprazole sodium as described in the patents U.S. Patent No. 6,180,652 B1 , PCT patent publication No. WO 2004/085424A1 and PCT patent publication No. WO 2007/023393 A2 involves lengthy process i.e., proceeds via rabeprazole sodium acetone complex intermediate and also the yields obtained in these processes are very low.
U.S. Patent Application No. US2004/0180935A1 teaches a process for production of amorphous rabeprazole sodium by dissolving rabeprazole acid in a mixture of sodium hydroxide and methanol at 25-350C, removing the solvent by evaporation and precipitating the product by adding petroleum ether.
PCT patent publication No. WO 2006/120701 A1 teaches a process for manufacture of amorphous rabeprazole sodium with mean particle diameter between 10 to 55 μm, the said process comprises, addition of rabeprazole to aqueous sodium hydroxide; addition of ethyl alcohol to the solution; distillation of solvents from the solution thus obtained till thick mass is obtained; addition of an organic solvent selected from ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, chloroform, butyl acetate, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, methanol, tetrahydrofuran, to the residue to obtain a clear solution; addition of this clear solution to an anti-solvent includes diisopropyl ether, diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, under agitation and isolation of the product.
Since a solvent may play an important role in increasing the yield rate or in determination of physical properties of drug substance such as crystal form, purity, solubility, etc., even if such a solvent is known to be toxic, there may be many cases that the use thereof in the preparation of drug substance cannot be avoided in terms of risk benefits. In such cases, this guideline (ICH guidelines Q3C(R3)) decrees that a concentration of a residual solvent in drug substance should be not more than a specified value, which is toxicologically acceptable. The methods for preparation of amorphous rabeprazole sodium as described in the patents, U.S. Patent Application No. US2004/0180935A1 and PCT patent publication No. WO 2006/120701 A1 suffers with residual solvent problem and thereby commercially not viable. These methods utilize the solvents like diisopropyl ether and petroleum ether as precipitating solvents. These solvents are difficult to remove completely by practical manufacturing techniques. According to the ICH guidelines Q3C(R3), there is no adequate toxicological data for the solvents like diisopropyl ether and petroleum ether on which to base a PDE was found. However, a need still remains for an improved and commercially viable process of preparing pure amorphous rabeprazole sodium that would solve the aforesaid problems associated with processes described in the prior art, which will be suitable for largr-scale preparation, in terms of simplicity, chemical yield and purity of the product, and which would carry out with comparatively smaller volume of solvent
GSK and Genmab seek FDA approval for ofatumumab combination therapy for CLL first-line treatment
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Genmab have submitted a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking the use of Arzerra (ofatumumab) in combination with an alkylator-based therapy in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) who have not received prior treatment.
READ AT
GSK and Genmab seek FDA approval for ofatumumab combination therapy for CLL first-line treatment
Antifungal drugs-Antibiotics
Antifungal drugs-Antibiotics
by Parasuraman S, Senior Lecturer at AIMST University, Malaysia on Oct 20, 2013
ALIROCUMAB
ALIROCUMAB
http://www.ama-assn.org/resources/doc/usan/alirocumab.pdf
Immunoglobulin G1, anti-(human neural apoptosis-regulated proteinase 1) (human REGN727 heavy chain), disulfide with human REGN727 κ-chain, dimer
Immunoglobulin G1, anti-(human proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9
(EC=3.4.21.-, neural apoptosis-regulated convertase 1, proprotein convertase 9,
subtilisin/kexin-like protease PC9)); human monoclonal REGN727 des-448-
lysine(CH3-K107)-1 heavy chain (221-220′)-disulfide with human monoclonal
REGN727 light chain dimer (227-227”:230-230”)-bisdisulfide
Clinical Trials for Compound
| Number of clinical trials registered at clinicaltrials.gov | 30 |
Biological Sequence
| Description | Sequence |
| Alirocumab heavy chain | EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFNNYAMNWVRQAPGKGLDWVSTISGSGGTTNY ADSVKGRFIISRDSSKHTLYLQMNSLRAEDTAVYYCAKDSNWGNFDLWGRGTLVTVSSAS TKGPSVFPLAPSSKSTSGGTAALGCLVKDYFPEPVTVSWNSGALTSGVHTFPAVLQSSGL YSLSSVVTVPSSSLGTQTYICNVNHKPSNTKVDKKVEPKSCDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPS VFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYNST YRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSRDELT KNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQ GNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPG |
| Alirocumab light chain | DIVMTQSPDSLAVSLGERATINCKSSQSVLYRSNNRNFLGWYQQKPGQPPNLLIYWASTR ESGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQAEDVAVYYCQQYYTTPYTFGQGTKLEIKRTVAAPS VFIFPPSDEQLKSGTASVVCLLNNFYPREAKVQWKVDNALQSGNSQESVTEQDSKDSTYS LSSTLTLSKADYEKHKVYACEVTHQGLSSPVTKSFNRGEC |
1245916-14-6 CAS
C6472H9996N1736O2032S42
Alirocumab is a human monoclonal antibody designed for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.[1]
This drug was discovered by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and is being co-developed by Regeron and Sanofi.
When the results from Phase II trials of Sanofi and Regeneron’s proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor alirocumab were presented in March, they stunned even the company representatives working on the trials. “I’m still amazed by the reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) that we saw with our drug,” says Bill Sasiela, vice president of cardiovascular and metabolic research at Regeneron. The monoclonal antibody (mAb) reduced LDL-C levels by up to 73% in three mid-stage trials, irrespective of baseline LDL-C levels or background treatment, offering hope for millions of patients who can’t hit the recommended cholesterol targets with statins — the standard therapies for lowering LDL-C levels in patients with cardiovascular disease. Spurred on by these results, Sanofi and Regeneron geared up into Phase III trials of the first-in-class alirocumab (also known as REGN727 and SAR236553) over the summer, and initiated the latest and largest trial — an 18,000-patient outcomes study
It is a Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, (also known as PCSK9) inhibitor . Phase III trials showed a 47% reduction in LDL-C. There was a high rate of adverse events with 69% experiencing side effects (most common problem was infection).
About PCSK9 PCSK9 is known to be a determinant of circulating LDL levels, as it binds to LDL receptors resulting in their degradation so that fewer are available on liver cells to remove excess LDL-cholesterol from the blood. Moreover, traditional LDL-lowering therapies such as statins actually stimulate the production of PCSK9, which limits their own ability to lower LDL-cholesterol. Blocking the PCSK9 pathway is therefore a potentially novel mechanism for lowering LDL-cholesterol.
Alirocumab is an investigational, fully-human monoclonal antibody that targets and blocks PCSK9. It is administered via subcutaneous injection. By inhibiting PCSK9, a determinant of circulating LDL-C levels in the blood, alirocumab has been shown in pre-clinical studies to increase the number of LDL receptors on hepatocytes, thereby lowering LDL-C.
The investigational agent described above is currently under clinical development and its safety and efficacy have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority
References
- Statement On A Nonproprietary Name Adopted By The USAN Council – Alirocumab, American Medical Association.

PARIS and TARRYTOWN, N.Y., Oct. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. REGN -1.73% today announced that the Phase 3 ODYSSEY MONO trial with alirocumab, an investigational monoclonal antibody targeting PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9), met its primary efficacy endpoint. The mean low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C, or “bad” cholesterol) reduction from baseline to week 24, the primary efficacy endpoint of the study, was significantly greater in patients randomized to alirocumab, as compared to patients randomized to ezetimibe (47.2% vs. 15.6%, p<0.0001). In the trial, which employed a dose increase (up-titration) for patients who did not achieve an LDL-C level of 70 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL), the majority of patients remained on the initial low dose of alirocumab of 75 milligrams (mg). read at
Pipeline of selected PCSK9 inhibitors
| Drug name | Companies | Modality | Clinical phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alirocumab (also known as REGN727 and SAR236553) | Regeneron/Sanofi | Monoclonal antibody | III |
| AMG145 | Amgen | Monoclonal antibody | II |
| LGT209 | Novartis | Monoclonal antibody | II |
| RG7652 | Roche/Genentech | Monoclonal antibody | II |
| RN316 | Pfizer | Monoclonal antibody | II |
| BMS-962476 | Bristol-Myers Squibb | Adnectin | I |
| ALN-PCS | Alnylam | RNA interference | I |
| ISIS-405879/BMS-844421 | Isis/Bristol-Myers Squibb | Antisense | Discontinued |
| PCSK9, proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9. | |||

FINASTERIDE
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(5α, 17β)-N-(1 ,1-dimethylethyl)-3-oxo-4-aza-androst-1-ene-17-carboxamide, finasteride, a 4-aza-steroid compound 5 which exhibits pharmaceutical activity as an inhibitor of the enzyme testosterone 5-α-reductase, and is useful in the treatment of prostate cancer
Finasteride;YM-152;MK-906;Prodel;Propecia;
Chibro-Proscar;Finastid;Prostide;Andozac;Proscar
Finasteride (brand names Proscar and Propecia by Merck, among other generic names) is a synthetic drug for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern baldness (MPB). It is a type II 5α-reductase inhibitor. 5α-reductase is an enzymethat converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Figure . Conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.
Chemical synthesis
Propecia 1 mg & Finpecia 1 mg tablets
Finasteride is synthesized fromprogesterone:
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History
In 1974, Julianne Imperato-McGinley of Cornell Medical College in New York attended a conference on birth defects. She reported on a group of intersex children in the Caribbean who appeared sexually ambiguous at birth, and were initially raised as girls, but then grew external male genitalia and other masculine characteristic post-onset of puberty. Her research group found that these children shared agenetic mutation, causing deficiency of the 5α-reductase enzyme and male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which was found to have been the etiology behind abnormalities in male sexual development. Upon maturation, these individuals were observed to have smaller prostates which were underdeveloped, and were also observed to lack incidence of male pattern baldness.
In 1975, copies of Imperato-McGinley’s presentation were seen by P. Roy Vagelos, who was then serving as Merck’s basic-research chief. He was intrigued by the notion that decreased levels of DHT led to the development of smaller prostates. Dr. Vagelos then sought to create a drug which could mimic the condition found in these children in order to treat older men who were suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia.
In 1992, finasteride (5 mg) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH), which Merck marketed under the brand name Proscar.
In 1997, Merck was successful in obtaining FDA approval for a second indication of finasteride (1 mg) for treatment of male pattern baldness (MPB), which was marketed under the brand name Propecia.
CHEMISTRY
Formerly known as MK-906, finasteride (Figure 1) ([5-
, 17-
-N-(1,1-dimethylethyl) -3-oxo-4-azaandrost- 1-ene-17-carboxamide) belongs to the 4-azasteroid structural class of compounds. (Click on the structure to the right to view a Chime rotatable structure.) Its synthesis, shown in Scheme 1, was published by Rasmusson et al. in 1986.[2] Briefly, beginning with a previously synthesized intermediate, the A-ring of the steroid skeleton was converted from its 3- keto precursor (1) to the required 4-aza system (3) through an open analog (2). Saturation of the B-ring using catalytic hydrogenation gave intermediate 4. Use of the 2-pyridyl thio ester (5) gave a reactive substrate to form the tertiary butyl carboxamide (6). The final step in the synthesis, dehydration of the A-ring with benzeneselenic anhydride, gave the final product, finasteride (7).

Scheme 1. Key intermediates in the synthesis of finasteride by Rasmusson et al. Reagents: a, KMnO4-NaIO4, t-BuOH, reflux; b, NH3, heat; c, H2, Pt, ArOH; d, 2,2′-dipyridyl disulfide, triphenylphosphine, toluene; e, t-butyl amine, THF; f, benzeneselenic anhydride, chlorobenzene.
The preparation of finasteride is described and claimed in U.S. Patent 4.377.584 and further described in U.S. Patent 4.760.071. Other patents which pertain to the preparation of finasteride include Canadian patent application 2.029.859: U.S. patents 5.084.574 and 5.116.983: and Canadian patent applications 2.049.882 and 2.049.881. All these teach the conversion of a final intermediate tofinasteride, which is purified and isolated as a crystalline solid. Althoughfinasteride polymorphs are not mentioned specifically in these items of prior art, the finasteride obtained using them, as a crystalline solid, must be in one or other of the known polymorphic forms, or a mixture of both of them.
Aforementioned Canadian Patent Application 2.103.107 Dolling et a published May 20, 1994, describes preparations of finasteride and the specific polymorphic Form I and Form II thereof. In particular, it teaches that polymorphic Form I can be prepared by crystallization from a mixture of finasteride in an organic solvent and optionally water, such that the amount of organic solvent and water in the mixture is sufficient to cause the solubility of the non-solvated form of finasteride(Form I) to be exceeded and the non- solvated form of finasteride to be less soluble than any other form of finasteride in the mixture. It also teaches that the polymorphic Form I of finasteride can be prepared by heating the polymorphic Form II of finasteride to at least 25°C in water or an organic solvent for a sufficient period of time to effect the conversion. The same reference teaches that polymorphic Form II finasteride can be prepared by crystallization from a mixture of finasteride in an organic solvent and water, such that the amount of organic solvent and water in the mixture is sufficient to cause the solubility of the solvated form of finasteride to be exceeded and the solvated form of finasteride to be less soluble than any other form of finasteride in the mixture, followed by recovery of the solid and removal of the solvent therefrom; or by heating polymorphic Form I finasteride to at least to about 150°C for sufficient time to complete the conversion.
MORE INFO
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Finasteride, marketed under the tradename of PROSCAR®, by Merck & Co., Inc is 17β-(N-tert-butyl carbamoyl)-4-aza-5α-androst-1-en-3-one and is a 5α-reductase inhibitor for use in treating acne, female hirsutism, and particularly benign prostatic hyperplasia. See US Patent 4,760,071 (1988), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference..
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[0002]The synthesis of finasteride in US Patent 4,760,071 involves reacting the 17β-(2-pyridylthio) carboxylate of 4-aza-5α-androst-1-ene-3-one with t-butylamine. A further synthesis of finasteride is described in Synthetic Communications, 30 (17), p. 2683-2690 (1990). including the reacting of the 17-acylimidazole of 4-aza-5α-androst-1-en-3-one with t-butylamine.
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[0003]However, both of these reactions require the use of heterocyclic aromatic amines which are expensive and give rise to environmental safety and toxicity considerations. Both of these intermediates are prepared from the 17β-carboxylic acid.
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[0004]The Bodroux reaction, described by F. Bodroux in the references, Bull. Soc. Chim. France 33, 831 ( 1905); 35, 519 (1906); 1, 912 (1907); Compt. Rend. 138, 1427 (1904); 140, 1108 (1905); 142, 401 (1906) discloses the reaction of the magnesium halide salts of amines with esters. However, there is no description or teaching that the reaction can be applied to the reaction of a sterically hindered amine, e.g. t-butyl amine, with a sterically hindered ester such as 1.

The first method (International Patent: W0200507M97A) is finasteridedihydro as raw materials, benzeneseleninic anhydride synthesis of finasteride, the reaction is as follows:
Used in this reaction toxic and expensive reagents benzeneseleninic anhydride, yield only about 50%, and the product to column chromatography to separate, while the use of certain toxic chlorobenzene as solvent, the cost is very high , environmental hazards large.
[0005] The second method (U.S. Patent No.: US20070167477A1) is finasteridedihydro as raw materials, the use of DDQ / BSTFA (i.e. 3,3 – dichloro-5 ,6 – dicyano-p-benzoquinone / second (third trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide) Oxidation get finasteride, the reaction is as follows:
The reaction yield about 65%, the resulting fluorine-containing wastewater intractable, quinones great harm to the environment.
[0006] The third method (international patent: W02008101308A) is dihydrofinasteride as raw material, the use of phenyl sulfide oxidation get finasteride, the reaction is as follows:
The method steps and more complicated to operate, the total yield of only 60%, the use of expensive lithium diisopropylamide, lithium bis trimethylsilyl test Qi IJ, the cost is higher.
REF
Rasmusson, G.H.; Reynolds, G.F. (Merck & Co., Inc.); 17beta-Substd.-4-aza-5alpha-androstenones and their use as 5alpha-reductase inhibitors. AU 8539167; EP 0155096; EP 0314199; ES 8702430; JP 1985222497; JP 1989093600; US 4760071 .
Rasmusson, G.H.; Reynolds, G.F. (Merck & Co., Inc.); Treatment of prostatic carcinoma with 17beta-N-monosubstd.-carbamoyl-4-aza-5-alpha-androst-1-en-3-ones. EP 0285383 .
Rasmusson, G.H.; Reynolds, G.F.; Steinberg, N.G.; Walton, E.; Patel, G.F.; Liang, T.; Cascieri, M.A.; Cheung, A.H.; Brooks, J.R.; Berman, C.; Azasteroids: structure-activity relationships for inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase and of androgen receptor binding. J Med Chem 1986, 29, 11, 2298.
Castaner, J.; Prous, J.; Finasteride. Drugs Fut 1991, 16, 11, 996.
The oxidative cleavage of N-tert-butyl-3-oxo-5alpha-androst-4-ene-17beta-carboxamide (I) with NaIO4 and KMnO4 in tert butanol – aqueous Na2CO3 gives the seco-ketoacid (II), which is cyclized with liquid ammonia in ethylene glycol at 180 C to afford the DELTA5-azasteroid (III). Hydrogenation of (III) with H2 over PtO2 in acetic acid yields the corresponding saturated aza-steroid (IV), which is finally dehydrogenated with benzeneseleninic anhydride in refluxing chlorobenzene or with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone (DDQ) and bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) in refluxing dioxane.
DRUG APPROVALS BY DR ANTHONY MELVIN CRASTO
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