SYNTHESIS OF PRODRUG ANALOGS AND CYCLOPENTANE PEPTIDE NUCLEIC ACID (PNA) PRECURSORS

Background Information: The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases conducts and supports biomedical research to improve the understanding, prevention, and treatment of diseases affecting human health.  

  Within the Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, the Synthetic Bioactive Molecules Section conducts research focused on the discovery and development of novel therapeutic compounds for the treatment and prevention of cancer and HIV infection. Ongoing studies have identified several promising sulfanylbenzamide-derived compounds and cyclopentane peptide nucleic acid precursor materials with potential applications as anti-cancer therapeutics, HIV prevention and treatment agents, and diagnostic technologies.  

  To support these research efforts, the Synthetic Bioactive Molecules Section requires synthesis scale-up, custom synthesis, purification, and characterization of optimized lead compounds and specialized precursor materials. These materials are not commercially available and require specialized synthetic expertise and production capabilities to generate quantities sufficient for continued preclinical evaluation.  

The materials produced under this requirement will be used in ongoing preclinical studies to evaluate compound activity, optimize lead candidates, and support advancement toward future clinical development.