C2'epiAmB Epimer Selective Ergosterol Binding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Amphotericin B (AmB) is highly toxic, limiting its effective utilization for systemic fungal infections despite its potential as a last-line defense, and existing derivatives have not improved its therapeutic index effectively due to toxicity issues.

Innovation Solution

Development of C2'epiAmB, a derivative with a modified C2' hydroxyl group that preferentially binds ergosterol over cholesterol, reducing toxicity and maintaining antifungal efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If amphotericin B is used to treat fungal infections, then antifungal efficacy is improved, but toxicity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantifungal efficacyVSAvoidtoxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by modifying only the C2' hydroxyl group on the mycosamine appendage while leaving the rest of the amphotericin B molecule unchanged. This localized modification selectively alters sterol binding properties to reduce toxicity while preserving antifungal efficacy through maintained ergosterol binding capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by epimerizing the C2' hydroxyl group configuration, changing the stereochemical parameter at this specific position. This parameter change fundamentally alters the molecule's interaction with different sterols, reducing affinity for cholesterol (lowering toxicity) while maintaining affinity for ergosterol (preserving antifungal activity)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If amphotericin B derivatives are developed to reduce toxicity, then therapeutic index is improved, but existing derivatives fail to effectively improve toxicity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetoxicityVSAvoidtherapeutic index improvement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by modifying only the C2' hydroxyl group on the mycosamine appendage while leaving the rest of the amphotericin B molecule unchanged. This localized modification selectively alters sterol binding properties to reduce toxicity while preserving antifungal efficacy through maintained ergosterol binding capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by epimerizing the C2' hydroxyl group configuration, changing the stereochemical parameter at this specific position. This parameter change fundamentally alters the molecule's interaction with different sterols, reducing affinity for cholesterol (lowering toxicity) while maintaining affinity for ergosterol (preserving antifungal activity)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

C2'epiAmB demonstrates reduced toxicity and retained antifungal activity, making it a potentially clinically viable alternative to AmB with improved therapeutic index.

Implementation Method 1

C2'epiAmB, a derivative with a modified C2' hydroxyl group that preferentially binds ergosterol over cholesterol, reducing toxicity and maintaining antifungal efficacy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSterol binding: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3142672B1Amphotericin b derivative with reduced toxicity
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIV OF ILLINOIS
  • EP3142672B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3142672B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP3142672B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C

AI summary

Disclosed is a derivative of amphotericin B (AmB), denoted C2'epiAmB, with an improved therapeutic index over amphotericin B, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the AmB derivative, methods of making the AmB derivative and the pharmaceutical composition, and their use in methods of inhibiting growth of a yeast or fungus and treating a yeast or fungal infection. C2'epiAmB is an epimer of the parent compound. Specifically, C2'epiAmB differs from the parent compound at the C2' stereogenic center on mycosamine. This difference in structure results in (i) retained capacity to bind ergosterol and inhibit growth of yeast, (ii) greatly reduced capacity to bind cholesterol, and (iii) essentially no toxicity to human cells.