Pixantrone Dimaleate is an antineoplastic pharmaceutical active ingredient belonging to the aza-anthracenedione class of compounds. It is identified by CAS Number 144675-97-8, with the molecular formula C₂₅H₂₇N₅O₁₀ and molecular weight 557.5 g/mol. Pixantrone Dimaleate is the dimaleate salt of pixantrone and has been developed for use in oncology, particularly for aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
Pixantrone Dimaleate API is the dimaleate salt of pixantrone, a synthetic aza-anthracenedione analogue. It is also associated with the development code BBR 2778. The compound acts as a DNA intercalator and topoisomerase II inhibitor, producing antitumor activity.
The dimaleate form should be clearly distinguished from Pixantrone free base, which has CAS 144510-96-3 and molecular weight approximately 325.4 g/mol. The dimaleate salt has CAS 144675-97-8 and molecular weight 557.5 g/mol.
Pixantrone Dimaleate has the molecular formula C₂₅H₂₇N₅O₁₀ and relative molecular weight 557.5 g/mol. Its systematic chemical description corresponds to the dimaleate salt of 6,9-bis[(2-aminoethyl)amino]benzo[g]isoquinoline-5,10-dione.
The EMA assessment report describes Pixantrone Dimaleate as a dark blue powder, slightly soluble in water and propylene glycol, very slightly soluble in ethanol, and soluble in 0.9% sodium chloride and acetate buffer at pH 5.2. The substance is reported to be achiral, not hygroscopic, and polymorphism was not observed in the assessed material.
Important chemical characteristics include:
Pixantrone Dimaleate is an antineoplastic API associated with targeted oncology applications. Its mechanism involves DNA intercalation and inhibition of topoisomerase II, resulting in disruption of DNA replication and tumor-cell cytotoxicity.
The pharmaceutical application of Pixantrone includes:
The EMA-authorised Pixuvri product used pixantrone dimaleate for treatment of adult patients with multiply relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas. The EU marketing authorisation subsequently expired on 12 June 2024 after the marketing-authorisation holder did not apply for renewal.
Pixantrone Dimaleate is not described in the European Pharmacopoeia. The EMA assessment report states that the active substance was controlled using in-house specifications including IR identification, HPLC assay and related substances, maleic acid content, residual 1,4-difluorobenzene, residual fluoride, residue on ignition, heavy metals, residual solvents, water content, pH of a 0.4% w/v solution and bacterial endotoxins.
The EMA assessment also states that the structure was confirmed using UV, IR, NMR, ESI-MS and elemental analysis, while physical properties were characterised using solubility studies, DSC, TGA, dynamic vapour sorption and XRPD.
For reference-grade material, MedChemExpress reports 98.75% purity, while a published manufacturing patent reports Pixantrone Dimaleate crystals with >99.5% purity and individual known and unknown impurities below 0.1% for its disclosed process. These values should be treated as product/process-specific rather than universal pharmacopoeial limits.
Pixantrone Dimaleate API is identified by CAS 144675-97-8, molecular formula C₂₅H₂₇N₅O₁₀, and molecular weight 557.5 g/mol. The dimaleate form is particularly relevant to oncology pharmaceutical development and analytical characterization.
Quality assessment may include identity by spectroscopic techniques, HPLC assay, related substances, maleic acid content, residual solvents, water content, elemental impurities and microbiological/endotoxin testing according to the applicable product specification.
Pixantrone Dimaleate should be packaged in tightly closed, suitable pharmaceutical-grade containers that protect the material from contamination and unsuitable environmental exposure.
The EMA assessment describes the substance as not hygroscopic. A research-grade commercial source recommends storage at 4°C in sealed storage away from moisture. For pharmaceutical API material, final storage conditions should follow the approved stability data, packaging configuration and applicable batch specification.
Applicable documentation may include:
Pixantrone Dimaleate is a well-characterized oncology API with established pharmaceutical and analytical documentation. Its CAS Number 144675-97-8, molecular formula C₂₅H₂₇N₅O₁₀, and molecular weight 557.5 g/mol provide clear identification of the dimaleate salt form.
The API has been comprehensively characterised using HPLC, IR, NMR, ESI-MS, elemental analysis, DSC, TGA and XRPD. Its established analytical profile and defined salt form make accurate identification and solid-state control important considerations for pharmaceutical development and manufacturing.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | white to off-white crystalline powder |
| Identification | IR & HPLC compliant |
| Assay (HPLC) | NLT 98.0% |
| Loss on Drying | NMT 1.0% |
| Residue on Ignition | NMT 0.1% |
| Individual Impurity | <0.10% |
| Total Impurities | <0.50% |