Process Development and GMP Production of a Potent NAE Inhibitor Pevonedistat

A practical synthesis of a novel NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE) inhibitor pevonedistat (MLN4924) is described. Key steps include an enantioselective synthesis of an amino-diol cyclopentane intermediate containing three chiral centers and a novel, regioselective sulfamoylation using N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-N-[(triethylenediammonium)sulfonyl]azanide. The linear process, involving six solid isolations, has been carried out in multiple cGMP productions on 15–30 kg scale to produce pevonedistat in 98% (a/a) chemical purity and 25% overall yield.