Merck + Co., Inc.

Brian R Petuch

Shieh-Shung T Chen

Byron H Arison

Raymond F White

Edward S Inamine

David J Mathre

George M Garrity

Louis Kaplan

Robert A Reamer

John G MacConnell

Kevin M Byrne

Georgette Dezeny

Amy M Bernick

Bryon H Arison

Compounds of Structural Formula (I) ##STR1## are produced by directed biosynthesis. These compounds are squalene synthetase inhibitors and thus useful as cholesterol lowering agents, antifungal agents and cancer treatment agents.

Cholesterol lowering compounds produced by directed biosynthesis

Compounds of Structural Formula (I) ##STR1## are produced by directed biosynthesis. These compounds are squalene synthase inhibitors and thus useful as cholesterol lowering agents and antifungal agents. These compounds are also inhibitors of farnesyl protein transferase and farnesylation of the oncogene protein Ras and thus useful in treating cancer.

Directed biosynthesis of biologically active compounds

Incubation of 13.beta.-hydroxy ivermectin aglycone with a species of Bacillus subtilis or the incubation of 13-deoxy ivermectin aglycone with a mixed culture of a species of Bacillus subtilis and of Streptomyces griseus results in the production of 13-.beta. ivermectin monoglucopyranoside as the major product and of 5-.beta. ivermectin monoglucopyranoside as the minor product.

Biotransformation process for the production of invermectin derivatives

Described is a process for producing a new immunosuppressant, a C-19/C-22 cyclic hemiketal (Compound I) biotransformation analog of FR-900520, under novel fermentation conditions utilizing the novel microorganism, Streptomyces sp. (Merck Culture Collection MA6963) ATCC No. 55230. The macrolide immunosuppressant is useful in preventing human host rejection of foreign organ transplants, e.g. bone marrow, liver, lung, kidney and heart transplants.

Cyclcic FR-900520 microbial biotransformation agent

A compound having the formula ##STR1## and a method of obtaining said compound is described. The compound has antifungal properties.

Antifungal agent

Described is a new process for selectively acylating FK-506 type immunosuppressant macrolides, including immunomycin (FK-520), in the C-32 position, under novel conditions utilizing an immobilized lipase enzyme, an acyl donor, and a dry, non hydroxylic organic solvent. The enzyme is absorbed onto a solid support and the enzyme/support catalyzes the C-32 acylation. The enzyme/support complex can then be filtered from the reaction mixture and, recycled for use.

Process for selectively acylating immunomycin

There is disclosed a monophosphorylated cyclic lipopeptide compound obtained by biophosphorylating a cyclic lipopeptide related to echinocandins and having a peptide skeleton bearing several hydroxy groups wherein in the phosphorylated cyclic lipopeptide, the phosphate group is attached to the hydroxy group of the 4-hydroxyproline component of the lipopeptide. The compounds are useful for the control of fungi and parasites.

Phosphorylated cyclic lipopeptide

Incubation of 13-deoxy ivermectin aglycone with a species of B. subtilis and of S. griseus results in the production of 13-.beta. ivermectin monoglucopyranoside as the major product and of 5-.beta. ivermectin monoglucopyranoside as the minor product.

Novel avermectins are produced from known microorganisms

Compounds of formula (I) and (II): ##STR1## are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.

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Florence, NJ, United States of America

Brian R Petuch