Efforts to Develop a Cost-Effective and Scalable Synthetic Process for Nirmatrelvir

Nirmatrelvir, the novel antiviral component of Pfizer’s orally available combination therapy Paxlovid, used to treat COVID-19, presents a significant synthetic challenge. Herein, we report process optimization insights that could enable a scalable and cost-effective manufacturing process to make nirmatrelvir. The disclosed development opens up a path to three new complete routes, offering options to eliminate some of the major cost-drivers for nirmatrelvir and deliver the final API in higher yield and lower overall cost while maintaining quality requirements

Toward a Practical, Two-Step Process for Molnupiravir from Cytidine

A two-step synthesis of molnupiravir (1) is presented. This work focuses on the development of practical reaction and purification conditions toward a manufacturing route. The sequence commences from highly available cytidine (2), and molnupiravir is formed through direct hydroxamination of the cytosine ring and esterification of the sugar’s primary alcohol without use of protecting or activating groups. A highly crystalline hydrate of N-hydroxycytidine (3) resulted in an easily purified intermediate, and a practical, off-the-shelf enzyme was selected for the acylation. The yield was increased through a chemically-promoted, selective ester cleavage which converted a by-product, molnupiravir isobutyryl oxime ester (4), into the final API. Both reactions proceed in >90% assay yield and crystallization procedures are used to afford intermediate and active pharmaceutical ingredient in purities above 99% with an overall yield of 60%. Excellent throughput and sustainability is achieved by limiting the total concentration to 7 volumes of solvent in the course of the two reactions with an overall PMI of 41 including work-up and isolation. Environmentally friendly solvents, water and 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran, enhance sustainability of the operation. </p

Towards a Practical, Non-enzymatic Process for Molnupiravir from Cytidine

A scalable four step synthesis of molnupiravir from cytidine is described herein. The attractiveness of this approach is its fully chemical nature involving inexpensive reagents and more environmentally friendly solvents such as water, isopropanol, acetonitrile and acetone. Isolation and purification procedures are improved in comparison to our earlier report, as all intermediates can be isolated via aqueous acid treatment and recrystallization. The key steps in the synthesis, namely ester formation, hydroxamination and deprotection were done on multigram scale to afford molnupiravir in 36-41% yield with average purity of 98 wt% by q-NMR and 99 area % by HPL

Toward a Practical, Nonenzymatic Process for Investigational COVID-19 Antiviral Molnupiravir from Cytidine: Supply-Centered Synthesis

A scalable four-step synthesis of molnupiravir from cytidine is described herein. The attractiveness of this approach is its fully chemical nature involving inexpensive reagents and more environmentally friendly solvents such as water, isopropanol, acetonitrile, and acetone. Isolation and purification procedures are improved in comparison to our earlier study as all intermediates can be isolated via recrystallization. The key steps in the synthesis, namely, ester formation, hydroxyamination, and deprotection were carried out on a multigram scale to afford molnupiravir in 36-41% yield with an average purity of 98 wt % by qNMR and 99 area% by HPLC