Benzimidazole Series: The benzimidazole analog series represents a group of about 20 novel small molecules with distinct structures from previous benzimidazoles that expressed tubulin binding activity in yeast and mammalian cells. The new analogs (the AMP-500 series) are small molecules (< 500MW), synthesized in AmpliMed's laboratory under Professor Remers direction. Design criteria involved good water solubility and unique structures from prior benzimidazole agents. Some of these analogs have shown anti-tumor efficacy in vitro against human tumor cell lines. A lead analog, AMP-507, has been selected for further preclinical development based on its favorable
activity profile in preclinical experimental tumor models. Preliminary mechanism of action studies suggest that these newer analogs have a actions that are distinct from prior
benzimidazoles used as anticancer agents.