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The Essential Purine Bioisostere for CDK4/6 Inhibitors and Next‑Generation Kinase Therapeutics: 7‑Deazaguanine (CAS 7355‑55‑7)

7‑Deazaguanine (CAS: 7355‑55‑7) is a naturally occurring purine bioisostere in which the nitrogen atom at position 7 of the guanine ring is replaced by a carbon atom, creating a pyrrolo[2,3‑d]pyrimidine core. This single atom change locks the nucleobase in an amino‑keto tautomer, eliminates the N7 hydrogen‑bond acceptor, and makes the compound resistant to enzymatic cleavage by purine nucleoside phosphorylase. The compound has the molecular formula C₆H₆N₄O, a molecular weight of 150.14 g/mol, and appears as an off‑white to light‑brown solid powder (melting point >230 °C, with decomposition) .

From a chemical supply perspective, 7‑deazaguanine is available with HPLC purity ≥98 % (MedChemExpress HY‑34222) and is typically stored as a powder at –20 °C, where it remains stable for three years; at 4 °C, it remains stable for two years. It is soluble in DMSO (~100 mg/mL, ~666 mM) and can be formulated for in‑vivo administration using standard PEG300/Tween‑80/saline vehicles .

As a direct structural analog of guanine, 7‑deazaguanine retains the hydrogen‑bonding pattern of the natural nucleobase while gaining unique resistance to metabolic degradation and eliminating the problematic N7 position that often causes off‑target interactions with metal‑dependent enzymes. The structurally related 4‑amino‑7H‑pyrrolo[2,3‑d]pyrimidine is used as the hinge‑binding region in type II c‑Met/Axl inhibitors (with IC₅₀ values of 1 nM and 10 nM, respectively) and has demonstrated outstanding in‑vivo activity (98.2 % tumor growth inhibition in MKN‑45 xenografts at 1 mg/kg) . For 7‑deazaguanine itself, the core pyrrolo[2,3‑d]pyrimidine scaffold is a privileged structure in medicinal chemistry, and this scaffold is rapidly being deployed to address high‑value, emerging oncology drug targets and next‑generation applications in infectious disease research .

1. 7‑Deazaguanine as the Core Scaffold for CDK4/6 Inhibitors

7‑Deazaguanine and its derivatives incorporate the pyrrolo[2,3‑d]pyrimidine ring system, which has been extensively validated as a potent ATP‑competitive hinge‑binding scaffold. The CDK4/6 inhibitor ribociclib (Kisqali®), one of the three blockbuster CDK4/6 inhibitors on the market for hormone receptor‑positive, HER2‑negative breast cancer, is directly built upon the pyrrolo[2,3‑d]pyrimidine scaffold . 7‑Deazaguanine thus serves as a direct structural precursor to one of the most important targeted cancer therapies in clinical use today.

The clinical and commercial data for ribociclib demonstrate the exceptional value of this scaffold. In the first quarter of 2026, Novartis reported that Kisqali grew 55 % year‑on‑year to reach sales of USD 1.5 billion, driven by strong uptake in early‑stage breast cancer indications . The global CDK4/6 inhibitor market, of which ribociclib is a major component, was valued at USD 12.6 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 17 % to reach USD 51.9 billion by 2034 . A broader measure of the global cyclin‑dependent kinase inhibitor market, which includes newer targets beyond CDK4/6, is predicted to grow from USD 8.67 billion in 2025 to USD 16.03 billion by 2031 at a CAGR of 10.8 % . Collectively, these figures point to a market opportunity in the tens of billions of dollars that is directly enabled by the pyrrolo[2,3‑d]pyrimidine scaffold of 7‑deazaguanine .

2. DYRK1A Inhibition for Cancer and Down Syndrome Research

The compound itself acts as a highly selective, well‑tolerated, brain‑penetrant DYRK1A inhibitor. It directly binds to and inhibits the dual‑specificity tyrosine phosphorylation‑regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A), which plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation, neuronal development, and the pathophysiology of Down syndrome (trisomy 21) and certain cancers. 7‑Deazaguanine is therefore a valuable pharmacological tool and a promising lead for drug discovery targeting DYRK1A‑mediated pathways, as its brain‑penetrant properties make it particularly attractive for studies of Down syndrome and neurodegenerative diseases .

3. Antiviral and Antiparasitic Nucleoside Analogues

The 7‑deazapurine scaffold has also been extensively exploited for the development of nucleoside analogues with potent antiviral and antiparasitic activities. This lineage began with naturally occurring 7‑deazapurine antibiotics such as tubercidin, but recent systematic structure‑activity relationship (SAR) studies have produced highly potent and selective agents with improved safety profiles. For example, N‑modification of 7‑deazapurine nucleoside analogues has been explored as anti‑Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease) and anti‑Leishmania agents, with in‑vivo studies demonstrating significant reductions in parasitaemia . In other work, 7‑substituted 7‑deazaadenosine analogues have emerged as highly potent anti‑Trichomonas vaginalis agents, with EC₅₀ values in the low double‑digit nanomolar range and excellent selectivity indices .

4. XNA & Synthetic Biology Applications

A specialized but notable application of 7‑deazaguanine is its use in the enzymatic synthesis of xeno‑nucleic acids (XNA). In DNA‑polymerase‑mediated synthesis of unbiased threose nucleic acid (TNA) polymers, 7‑deazaguanine must be used in place of standard guanine to suppress lethal G:G mispairing during TNA transcription. As noted in a 2015 Journal of the American Chemical Society paper: “DNA Polymerase-Mediated Synthesis of Unbiased Threose Nucleic Acid (TNA) Polymers Requires 7‑Deazaguanine to Suppress G:G Mispairing during TNA Transcription” . More broadly, the compound is the definitive tool for dissecting Hoogsteen‑dependent polymerase mechanisms and for constructing high‑fidelity XNA libraries, because its unique N7→C substitution ensures it is the only substrate accepted by TGT enzymes for queuosine/archaeosine reconstitution .

5. Pyrrolo[2,3‑d]pyrimidine Kinase Inhibitor Pipeline

Beyond CDK4/6, the pyrrolo[2,3‑d]pyrimidine scaffold of 7‑deazaguanine has been used to develop potent and selective inhibitors targeting a wide range of clinically relevant kinases. Recent progress includes: (i) fourth‑generation EGFR inhibitors targeting the C797S‑mediated triple mutation in non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) — a major resistance mechanism to existing EGFR‑TKIs; with lead compound 31r showing subnanomolar IC₅₀ values against Ba/F3 EGFR19del/T790M/C797S and oral bioavailability (F=24 %), good metabolic stability and complete tumor regression in xenograft models . (ii) selective HPK1 inhibitors for immuno‑oncology applications, with compound 24 demonstrating strong HPK1 inhibition (IC₅₀ = 10.1 nM) . (iii) selective type II c‑Met/Axl inhibitors with potent antitumor efficacy (IC₅₀ values of 1 nM and 10 nM, respectively). The optimized lead 22a achieved 98.2 % and 87.2 % tumor growth inhibition in MKN‑45 and HCT116 xenograft models, respectively, at a dosage of 1 mg/kg — outperforming the standard drug cabozantinib . (iv) chiral 2,4‑substituted pyrrolo[2,3‑d]pyrimidine LRRK2 inhibitors for Parkinson’s disease, where the scaffold was optimized via hit‑to‑lead studies and oral bioavailability was demonstrated .

Major Market Participants

The global supply system for 7‑deazaguanine follows a pattern of specialized fine chemical and pharmaceutical intermediate manufacturers, primarily in China, Europe, the United States, and India, serving both small‑scale R&D (milligrams to grams) and large‑scale industrial production (kilograms to metric tons).

The compound is generally supplied as an off‑white to light‑brown solid powder. Purity ranges from 97 % to ≥98 % by HPLC for research grades. The compound is classified as a hazardous material (UN 2811, Class 6.1(a), Packing Group II) and must be transported accordingly . Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. is a professional supplier of 7‑deazaguanine (CAS 7355‑55‑7). The company can supply the product with a purity specification of ≥98 % by HPLC, meeting the demanding requirements of pharmaceutical process development and medicinal chemistry research .

Regulatory and Environmental Considerations

7‑Deazaguanine is assigned the risk code R36/37/38 (“Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin”). The recommended safety precautions are S26 (in case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice), S37 (wear suitable gloves), and S60 (this material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous waste) . The compound should be stored at –20 °C (as a powder, stable for three years) or at –80 °C (as a solution, stable for six months), kept away from light and moisture .

In the European Union, 7‑deazaguanine is subject to REACH regulations; importers and manufacturers must provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS). In the United States, it is regulated under TSCA as a research chemical. For use in the synthesis of pharmaceutical APIs, customers must adhere to cGMP guidelines (21 CFR Parts 210/211). In China, the compound is listed in the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances (IECSC) and requires safety production licenses for manufacturing facilities.

Environmentally, the compound has low predicted aquatic toxicity. Manufacturing generates solvent‑containing waste streams and requires responsible disposal of organic by‑products.

Future Outlook

The market outlook for 7‑deazaguanine is tied to four core drivers: (1) the extraordinary growth of the CDK4/6 inhibitor market — projected to reach USD 51.9 billion by 2034  and the broader CDK inhibitor market expected to reach USD 16.03 billion by 2031 at a CAGR of 10.8 %  — which directly drives demand for the pyrrolo[2,3‑d]pyrimidine scaffold; (2) the increasing research activity targeting DYRK1A for Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, and oncology applications; (3) the continued expansion of antiviral and antiparasitic nucleoside pipelines; and (4) the ongoing validation of pyrrolo[2,3‑d]pyrimidine kinase inhibitors for a wide range of emerging oncology and neurology targets.

Enterprises should focus on securing high‑purity (≥98–99 %) production capabilities, maintaining rigorous impurity documentation for pharmaceutical regulatory filings (including residual solvent analysis and heavy metals by ICP‑MS), and building long‑term supply partnerships with CDK4/6 inhibitor API manufacturers, CROs, and research institutions.

Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd.

As a world‑leading supplier of pharmaceutical intermediates and heterocyclic building blocks, Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem) has always focused on the innovative needs of the CDK4/6 inhibitor API manufacturing, oncology drug discovery, and targeted kinase research industries. Relying on core advantages in heterocyclic synthesis, purification, and quality assurance, we provide high‑quality 7‑Deazaguanine (CAS 7355‑55‑7) to global customers.

1. Technical Advantages

  • High Purity & Consistency: Our product achieves purity ≥98 % (HPLC), off‑white to light‑brown solid powder, molecular weight 150.14 g/mol, and moisture <0.5 %.
  • Low Impurity Profile: Strict control of residual solvents, heavy metals (≤10 ppm, ICH Q3D compliant), and related substances by HPLC‑UV.
  • Batch‑to‑Batch Uniformity: Rigorous analytical testing (HPLC, NMR, ICP‑MS, GC‑headspace) guarantees consistent quality for pharmaceutical production.

2. Product Advantages

  • Direct CDK4/6 Inhibitor Scaffold: The pyrrolo[2,3‑d]pyrimidine core is a validated scaffold for blockbuster CDK4/6 inhibitors including ribociclib (Kisqali®).
  • Versatile Purine Bioisostere: Serves as a building block for DYRK1A inhibitors, fourth‑generation EGFR inhibitors (targeting C797S), selective c‑Met/Axl inhibitors, HPK1 inhibitors, and LRRK2 inhibitors for Parkinson’s disease, as well as antiviral/antiparasitic nucleoside analogues.
  • Flexible Packaging Options: 5 g, 10 g, 25 g, 50 g, 100 g, 500 g glass bottles (R&D); 1 kg HDPE containers (pilot); 5 kg, 10 kg, 25 kg fiber drums (industrial). Full custom packaging available.
  • Reliable Supply Chain: Annual capacity 50‑200 kg, with dedicated temperature‑controlled warehousing (–20 °C for long‑term powder storage, light‑protected) and just‑in‑time delivery capabilities.

3. Application Fields

  • Pharmaceutical Intermediates: Key building block for CDK4/6 inhibitors (ribociclib), DYRK1A inhibitors, fourth‑generation EGFR inhibitors (NSCLC), selective c‑Met/Axl inhibitors, HPK1 inhibitors, and LRRK2 inhibitors (Parkinson’s disease).
  • Oncology Drug Discovery: Pyrrolo[2,3‑d]pyrimidine scaffold for targeted cancer therapy, with validated activity in breast cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and glioblastoma models.
  • Antiviral & Antiparasitic Nucleosides: Core scaffold for developing nucleoside analogues active against Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania, Trichomonas vaginalis, and emerging RNA viruses.
  • XNA & Synthetic Biology: Substrate for DNA‑polymerase‑mediated synthesis of unbiased threose nucleic acid (TNA) polymers; essential for constructing high‑fidelity XNA libraries and dissecting Hoogsteen‑dependent polymerase mechanisms.
  • Epigenetics & tRNA Modification Research: Model compound for studying queuosine/archaeosine biosynthesis and the function of hypermodified nucleosides in tRNA translation fidelity.

4. Service Support
Our technical team provides full impurity profiling (HPLC purity, residual solvents by GC‑headspace, heavy metals by ICP‑MS, LC‑MS identity), custom purification to any desired specification, and complete regulatory documentation (Certificate of Analysis, Technical Data Sheet, Safety Data Sheet, REACH compliance, TSCA certification, DMF support for pharmaceutical customers). We also offer custom synthesis of 7‑deazaguanine derivatives, cold‑chain logistics, and just‑in‑time delivery.

5. Why Choose XinChem

  • Professionalism: 20+ years in the pharmaceutical intermediate and heterocyclic synthesis industry.
  • Flexibility: Tailored to customer purity specifications, packaging sizes, and regulatory documentation requirements.
  • Cost‑effectiveness: High purity at competitive industrial pricing.

Contact us now to start cooperation!
Website: www.xinchem.com
Email: sales1@xinchem.com
WhatsApp: +86 18049800532


Post time: May-17-2026