Napro Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Donia L Henderson

David Reginald Carver

Timothy R Prout

Hernita A Ewald

Christopher T Workman

Charles L Hughes

The present invention is a method that uses an absorption column for the cleavage and recovery of taxanes, which are not normally detected as free taxanes. The method processes a first solution that contains standard detectable taxanes and other undetectable taxane compounds to generate a second solution that contains a higher percentage of detectable standard taxane then the first solution. The first step of this method is loading a column having a first opening and a second opening with an ion exchange media. The next step is placing the first solution in the first opening of the column so that the first solution passes through the ion exchange media in the column and flows to the second opening. Thus, the taxane compounds are converted to standard taxanes by an ion exchange reaction and the second solution is formed. Then the next step is collecting, from the second opening of the column, the second solution and recovering from the second solution a larger percentage of standard taxanes then was detectable in the first solution. The ion exchange media of the present solution is an ion exchange resin. The ion exchange resin can be a mixture of an anion exchange resin and a cation exchange resin. The anion exchange resin is in the OH-form. The cation exchange resin is in the H.sup.+ form. Preferably, the ion exchange resin is alumina.

Method of using ion exchange media to increase taxane yields

A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) ##STR1## comprising contacting a mixture containing at least one taxane compound having an ester linkage at the C-13 position with at least one borohydride reducing salt in a reaction solvent in the presence of a Lewis acid.

Processes of converting taxanes into 10-deacetylbaccatin III

The present invention relates to a process of converting partially purified taxane mixtures into Baccatin III. The process for the preparation of Baccatin III includes contacting a mixture containing at least one taxane compound having an ester linkage at the C-13 position with at least one borohydride reducing salt in a reaction solvent in the present of a Lewis acid.

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Boulder, CO, United States of America

Donia L Henderson