The design, synthesis, and biological characterization of an orally active prodrug (3) of gemcitabine are described. Additionally, the identification of a novel co-crystal solid form of the compound is presented. Valproate amide 3 is orally bioavailable and releases gemcitabine into the systemic circulation after passing through the intestinal mucosa. The compound has entered clinical trials and is being evaluated as a potential new anticancer agent.

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The development of reactions in a continuous fashion in plug flow tube reactors (PFR) offers unique advantages to the drug development and scale-up process and can also enable chemistry that would be difficult to perform via batch processing. Herein, we report the development of two different continuous flow approaches to a key 1H-4-substituted imidazole intermediate ( 5). In a first generation approach, rapid optimization and scale-up of a challenging cyclization reaction was demonstrated in a PFR under GMP conditions to afford 29 kg of protected product 2. This material was further processed in batch equipment to deliver di-HCl salt 4. This first generation approach highlights the rapid development of chemistry in research-scale PFRs and speed to material delivery through linear scale up to a pilot-scale PFR under GMP conditions. In a second generation effort, a more efficient synthetic route was developed, and PFRs with automated sampling, dilution, and analytical analysis allowed for rapid and data-rich reaction optimization of both a key cyclization reaction and thermal removal of a Boc protecting group. This work culminated in 1 kg demonstration runs in a 0.22 L PFR for both continuous steps and shows the potential of commercialization from a lab hood footprint (1−2 MT/year).

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