Alkaloid semisynthesis: searching for anticancer drugs

Natural products are still considered a main source for the identification of new drugs and also represent an important source of inspiration for medicinal chemists.

Pierre Fabre Laboratories are particularly involved in the research and development of compounds deriving from natural sources. By extracting metric tons of vegetal matter on an industrial scale, numerous by-products are hence available in large quantities. Subsequently compounds with original or complex structure may be used as starting material, from which new chemical scaffolds can be prepared.

Two examples aimed at increasing the value of alkaloids in the field of anticancer drugs will be presented:

Starting from yohimbane skeleton:

Vinca alkaloid derivatives: