Development of novel drug compounds by deuteration

(1) Our primary mandate at API is to advance basic research and innovation to commercialization by providing access to world-class industry expertise, services, and infrastructure. Our activities focus on engaging and supporting therapeutic development initiatives including medical device development and drug discovery, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and driving innovation and commercialization. This project is strongly aligned with our mandate, as it promotes medical device commercialization and research advancement and innovation while also building the life science talent pool in Canada.
(2) Deuteration is a chemical reaction where hydrogen atom in a molecule is replaced by deuterium atom. This process is called HDX (hydrogen-deuterium exchange). Usually, transition metal catalysts and metal complexes are used in deuteration reactions. However, in the metal-catalyzed H-D exchange process, achieving the position selectivity and high D atom incorporation is a big challenge. If the deuterium exchange process is not efficient, there is a challenge of separating the isotopic mixtures of drug molecules and making the process economically unviable.
The aim is to (i) study the use of specific metal catalysts in the presence of novel ligands (ii) study the reaction temperatures (iii) use of deuterium oxide as source of deuterium (iv) developing purification techniques etc. (iv) Improve the D atom incorporation in a given chemical molecule.
(3) Social & Economic Benefits
Deuteration of drug molecules improves its PK properties, improves metabolic stability, reduces formation of metabolites in the body, reduces the side effects of the drug, reduces toxicity. It also reduces the dosage of the drug.

Faculty Supervisor:

Raimar Loebenberg

Student:

Partner:

Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation;SV Chembiotech Inc.

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services; Retail trade

University:

University of Alberta

Program:

Business Strategy Internship

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