Abstract: The present invention in general relates to the field of bioconjugation. More in particular, the invention relates to novel bioconjugation reactants based on an ?,? unsaturated ?-hydroxylactam structure, amongst others allowing a higher degree of functionalization compared to classical bioconjugation reactants such as maleimide. The present invention also provides methods of preparing the novel bioconjugation reactants, as well as uses thereof in human and/or veterinary medicine; and conjugation processes.

Abstract: The invention discloses novel 5-substituted 4-hydroxy-cyclopent-2-en-1-one derivatives as active compounds in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of cancer. The invention confers cytotoxic effects of the said compounds on ovarian, colorectal, cervical, hepatocellular, lung, bladder and breast carcinomas, melanoma, lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma malignant cells, for the inhibition of cell cycle progression at the G2/M phase, for reducing the expression of DNA replication licensing factors and for having general cancer treatment effects. It further discloses the use of the said compositions for the treatment of platinum-resistant tumors. Another aspect of the invention is the synergetic effects of these compounds with existing cancer treatment medicaments as the proteasomal inhibitors. Finally, the synthetic methods of the active compounds of the said com-positions are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention in general relates to the field of bioconjugation. More in particular, the invention relates to novel bioconjugation reactants based on an ?,? unsaturated ?-hydroxylactam structure, amongst others allowing a higher degree of functionalization compared to classical bioconjugation reactants such as maleimide. The present invention also provides methods of preparing the novel bioconjugation reactants, as well as uses thereof in human and/or veterinary medicine; and conjugation processes.

Abstract: (+)-Sitophilure, the aggregation pheromone of the pests rice weevil and maize weevil, is synthesized in high yield and diastereomeric excess by contacting 4-methyl-3,5heptadione with a reduced nicotinamide cofactor and a ketoreductase enzyme capable of catalyzing the reduction of 4-methyl-3,5-heptadione to produce (4R,5S)-5-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-heptanone to the substantial exclusion of other diastereomers.