Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo activity of novel 9-deoxo-9a-AZA-9a-homoerythromycin A derivatives; a new class of macrolide antibiotics, the azalides.

A series of erythromycin A-derived semisynthetic antibiotics, featuring incorporation of a basic nitrogen atom into a ring expanded (15-membered) macrocyclic lactone, have been prepared and biologically evaluated. Semisynthetic modifications focused upon (1) varied substitution at the macrocyclic ring nitrogen and (2) epimerization or amine substitution at the C-4'' hydroxyl site within the cladinose sugar. In general, the new azalides exhibit improved Gram-negative potency, expanding the spectrum of erythromycin A to fully include Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. When compared to erythromycin A, the azalides exhibit substantially increased half-life and area-under-the-curve values in all species studied. The overall in vitro/in vivo performance of N-methyl, C-4'' epimers 3a and 9; and C-4'' amine 11 identify these compounds as the most interesting erythromycin A-superior agents. Compound 3a has been advanced to clinical study.