PBD Dimer Conjugates with Beta-Glucuronide Capping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current PBD dimer conjugates face challenges in targeted drug delivery due to their hydrophobic nature, which affects their ability to permeate cell membranes and maintain activity outside the target cell, and existing linker systems do not efficiently facilitate controlled release and conjugation to cell binding agents.

Innovation Solution

The development of PBD dimer conjugates with a β-glucuronide capping group at the N10-C11 position, allowing for non-glucuronide cleavable linkers that increase hydrophilicity and facilitate conjugation to ligand units, such as antibodies, enabling targeted delivery and controlled release of the drug.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If PBD dimer conjugates are designed with traditional linker systems, then conjugation to cell binding agents can be achieved, but the hydrophobic nature of the conjugates reduces their ability to permeate cell membranes and maintain activity outside the target cell

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivity maintenance outside target cellVSAvoidhydrophobicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a β-glucuronide capping group as an intermediary component attached to the PBD dimer. This capping group acts as a hydrophilic mediator that reduces the overall hydrophobicity of the conjugate, enabling better solubility and membrane permeation while maintaining the cytotoxic activity of the PBD core when activated inside the target cell.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If PBD dimers are made more hydrophilic to improve membrane permeation, then cell delivery efficiency increases, but conjugation efficiency to ligand units may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell membrane permeationVSAvoidconjugation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality modification by adding the β-glucuronide capping group specifically to the PBD dimer structure. This localized modification introduces hydrophilic character at a specific site without altering the core PBD structure responsible for DNA binding and cytotoxicity, thereby achieving improved solubility while preserving conjugation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If traditional linker systems are used for PBD conjugates, then conjugation to antibodies is possible, but controlled release and targeted delivery are not efficiently achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetargeted deliveryVSAvoidlinker system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing the β-glucuronide moiety's specific biochemical properties. The capping group can be metabolized by β-glucuronidase enzyme present in lysosomes, triggering controlled release of the active PBD drug inside the target cell. This enzymatic activation mechanism provides targeted delivery without requiring complex multi-component linker systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3525830B1Pyrrolobenzodiazepine conjugates
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 MEDIMMUNE LTD
  • EP3525830B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3525830B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3525830B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A compound of formula (I) : (I) and its conjugates.