Antifungal Compound Synthesis via Chiral Crystallization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current antifungal agents, such as fluconazole and voriconazole, face challenges in achieving a balance between potency and selectivity due to indiscriminate metal-binding, leading to off-target inhibition of metalloenzymes, resulting in clinical toxicity and undesirable side effects.

Innovation Solution

A process for synthesizing compound 1 and its derivatives, which involves forming chemical interactions like sigma bonds, covalent bonds, or backbonding interactions with metalloenzymes to enhance affinity and specificity, using methods that include crystallization with chiral acids and specific solvent mixtures to enrich enantiomeric purity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a tightly binding metal-binding group (such as 1-(1,2,4-triazole) or hydroxamic acid) is utilized to enhance potency, then the affinity for the target enzyme is improved, but selectivity for the target enzyme versus related metalloenzymes deteriorates, leading to off-target inhibition and clinical toxicity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepotencyVSAvoidselectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by designing metal-binding groups with differentiated binding characteristics for different metal ions. The tetrazole group and other metal-binding groups are engineered to exhibit selective affinity patterns, binding strongly to the target enzyme's metal ion while showing reduced affinity for metal ions in off-target enzymes, thereby achieving both potency and selectivity simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of metal-binding groups (comparing 1-(1,2,4-triazole), tetrazole, and other variants) to alter their binding parameters. By adjusting pKa values, binding constants, and structural features, the patent optimizes the balance between potency and selectivity, enabling the metal-binding group to discriminate between target and off-target metalloenzymes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a weakly binding metal-binding group is utilized to improve selectivity, then off-target inhibition is reduced, but potency against the target enzyme deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveselectivityVSAvoidpotency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating metal-binding groups with spatially differentiated interaction patterns. The tetrazole and related groups are designed to form specific local interactions with the target enzyme's active site geometry while avoiding complementary interactions with off-target enzymes, thereby achieving high selectivity without sacrificing potency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining metal-binding groups with specific pharmacophores and molecular frameworks. The composite structure of tetrazole-containing compounds integrates the metal-binding functionality with disease-specific target recognition elements, enabling both strong binding to the target enzyme and selective avoidance of off-target enzymes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The process improves the balance of potency and selectivity, reducing the risk of clinical toxicity by preferentially targeting lanosterol demethylase (CYP51) and potentially offering better therapeutic outcomes with reduced side effects.

Implementation Method 1

crystallization with chiral acids and specific solvent mixtures to enrich enantiomeric purity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentEP3119764B1Antifungal compound process
Publication Date: 2019.04.17 MYCOVIA PHARMACEUTICALS INC
  • EP3119764B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3119764B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3119764B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process for preparing compound 1 that is useful as an antifungal agent. In particular, the invention seeks to provide new methodology for preparing compound 1 and substituted derivatives thereof.