New ways to make drug-like compounds

New Methods for the Synthesis of Biologically Active Compounds

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY · NIH-11515318

Scientists are creating new chemical methods to make molecules that could lead to treatments for cancer, malaria, and bacterial infections.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorNEW YORK UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11515318 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Researchers at New York University will develop new chemical reactions to build cyclic and aromatic peroxides, natural-product motifs with a range of biological effects. They will study how these compounds trigger cell death through ferroptosis and work to improve the potency and metabolic stability of a lead molecule called FINO2. The team will also study acetal substitution chemistry to make synthesis more reliable and scalable. Collaborations with other labs will help identify the biological targets and mechanisms behind these compounds' effects.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This project does not enroll patients now, but people with cancer, malaria, or bacterial infections could be future candidates for therapies developed from these compounds.

Not a fit: Patients needing immediate treatment or those with conditions unrelated to infection or cancer are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory research in the near term.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce new types of medicines that kill infection-causing organisms or cancer cells by novel mechanisms.

How similar studies have performed: Some related natural-product peroxides (for example artemisinin for malaria) have been successful, but using cyclic peroxides to trigger ferroptosis in cancer is a newer and less-tested approach.

Where this research is happening

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Anti-Cancer Agents, Bacterial Infections

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.