Esters of 5-aminolevulinic acid as photosensitizing agents in photochemotherapy

US7217736B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• PHOTOCURE ASA · NO

Inventors

• Jo Klaveness · Oslo, NO
• Nils Olav Nilsen · Oslo, NO
• Jon Erik Braenden · Oslo, NO
• Aslak Godal · Oslo, NO

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 25, 2001
• Grant date: May 15, 2007
• Expiry date: Dec 7, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C229/22
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention provides compounds for use in photochemotherapy or diagnosis, said compounds being branched alkyl esters or substituted alkyl esters of 5-aminolevulinic acid, or derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In particular, the invention provides compounds of formula (I): R22N—CH2COCH2CH2CO—OR1 (wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted branched alkyl (e.g. C5-30 alkyl) group, or a substituted alkyl group; R2, each of which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, preferably a group R1; wherein said substituents are selected from hydroxy, alkoxy, acyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, amino, aryl, nitro, oxo, fluoro, —SR3, —NR32 and PR32 groups, and each alkyl group is optionally interrupted by one or more O—, —NR3—, —S— or —PR3— groups; and R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group) and salts thereof for use in diagnosis and photochemotherapy of disorders of abnormalities of external or internal surfaces of the body, and products and kits for performing the invention.