Identifying a safe and effective anti-cancer and 
anti-inflammatory small molecule

The work of Dr. Mirko Beljanski (1923-1998) was an inspiration for MPI’s anti-cancer drug project.  His research on the anti-cancer activity of the Pao Pereira tree bark extract led to identification of the active molecule in the extract, flavopereirine.  The anti-cancer effect of flavopereirine in the Pao extract has been further researched by the Beljanski Foundation** and by several other laboratories*** using a synthetic form that have confirmed its anti-cancer activity and relatively low toxicity.

Naturally occurring molecules

Naturally occurring molecules like flavopereirine cannot be patented, which generally blocks their development as drugs.  However, a structurally altered molecule, a variant that is not naturally occurring, can be patentable especially if it confers an improvement in biological activity. 

To that end, a small chemical alteration was made to the flavopereirine structure—the ethyl group was removed—yielding the distinct molecule, de-ethylflavopeirine (N13-9-1). Our research led to the patenting of significant medical treatments for the structurally altered molecule, N13-9-1.