Merck + Co., Inc.

Michael J Salvatore, Jr

Jerrold M Liesch

Otto D Hensens

Gerald F Bills

Robert E Schwartz

David F Sesin

Jon D Polishook

Charles F Hirsch

Athanasios Tsipouras

Aurora M Bernard-King

Kennth E Wilson

Susan L Raghoobar

Russel B Lingham

Fermentation of a nutrient medium with a eubacterium pseudomonas sp. Yieds a novel broad spectrum antibiotic compound of structure I

Antibiotic compound

Novel peptidyl derivatives of formula I are found to be potent inhibitors of interleukin-1.beta. converting enzyme (ICE). Compounds of formula I may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory or immune-based diseases of the lung and airways; central nervous system and surrounding membranes; the eyes and ears; joints, bones, and connective tissues; cardiovascular system including the pericardium; the gastrointestinal and urogenital systems; the skin and mucosal membranes. Compounds of formula I are also useful in treating the complications of infection (e.g., gram negative shock) and tumors in which IL 1 functions as an autocrine growth factor or as a mediator of cachexia. ##STR1##

Gamma-pyrone-3-acetic acid as an inhibitor or interleukin-1 .beta.

A novel dioxa-diazacyclohexadecenetetrone isolated from the fermentation of a cyanobacterium (Nostoc sp.) is described. The compound is a new antifungal agent with a specificity generally toward filamentous fungi but also effective against Cryptococcus sp.

Antifungal fermentation product and method

Growing community of inventors

South Plainfield, NJ, United States of America

Michael J Salvatore, Jr