Authors
Grace P Ahlqvist, Catherine P McGeough, Chris Senanayake, Joseph D Armstrong, Ajay Yadaw, Sarabindu Roy, Saeed Ahmad, David R Snead, Timothy F Jamison
Publication date
2021/4/8
Journal
ACS omega
Volume
6
Issue
15
Pages
10396-10402
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Description
Molnupiravir (MK-4482, EIDD-2801) is a promising orally bioavailable drug candidate for the treatment of COVID-19. Herein, we describe a supply-centered and chromatography-free synthesis of molnupiravir from cytidine, consisting of two steps: a selective enzymatic acylation followed by transamination to yield the final drug product. Both steps have been successfully performed on a decagram scale: the first step at 200 g and the second step at 80 g. Overall, molnupiravir has been obtained in a 41% overall isolated yield compared to a maximum 17% isolated yield in the patented route. This route provides many advantages to the initial route described in the patent literature and would decrease the cost of this pharmaceutical should it prove safe and efficacious in ongoing clinical trials.
Total citations
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