Abstract: 11-hydroxysordarin, biotransformation product of a fermentation with sordarin and Actinomyces spp., (Merck Culture Collection MA7235) ATCC No. 202103 is an antifungal agent. This compound may be useful in the treatment of diseases caused by fungal pathogens such as Candida albicans.

Abstract: The invention relates to a class of enantiomerically pure intermediates represented by Formula I, where X is F, Cl, Br, or I, and a novel enantioselective bioreductive process using yeast to form these intermediates, which are useful in the synthesis of endothelin antagonists, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved process for making PDE IV inhibitors. In specific, this application describes a process for making and purifying a chiral bisaryl alcohol, an intermediate compound necessary for the preparation of PDE IV inhibitors such as CDP 840, by asymmetric bioreduction of a pro-chiral ketone. Furthermore, the bioprocess provides for production of each enantiomer of a bisaryl alcohol at elevated optical purity.This invention takes advantage of a microorganism's ability to reduce a pro-chiral bisaryl ketone to the chiral bisaryl alcohol. The alcohol is readily isolated from the media by solvent extraction, crystallography, or other purification method known to the skilled artisan. The chiral alcohol can then be converted to a PDE IV inhibitor, such as CDP 840, by methods well known in the art.

Abstract: A process is disclosed that bioconverts indene to (1S)-amino-(2R)-indanol substantially free of any of its stereoisomers, by the action of a strain of P. putida or Rhodococcus sp., followed by various chemical step(s), e.g., chiral specific crystallization, treatment with strong acid in the presence of acetonitrile.

Abstract: A process is disclosed that hydrolyzes, by the action of an epoxide hydrolase of Diplodia gossipina (alternatively named Diplodia gossypina) ATCC 16391 or ATCC 10936, the undesired enantiomer of racemic indene oxide, an epoxide of indan.

Abstract: Asymmetric bioreduction of a ketone substrate with yeast produces the corresponding (R)-alcohol of structure: ##STR1## a key intermediate in the synthesis of a .beta..sub.

Abstract: Compound 9 is prepared by a 9-step ##STR1## process in an overall yield of about 35% from 3-acetylpyridine. Compound 10 is prepared by a seven-step ##STR2## process in an overall yield of about 30% from 3-acetyl pyridine. These compounds are key intermediates in the synthesis of Compound 11, an important .beta.-3 agonist useful in the treatment of obesity and diabetes.

Abstract: A process is disclosed that quantitatively bioconverts indene to (1S,2R)-indene oxide and (1S,2R)-indandiol, by the action of fungal haloperoxidase followed by various chemical step(s), e.g., adjusting the pH.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for converting a racemic mixture of 3,3-diethyl-4-[(4-carboxy)phenoxy]-2-azetidinone esters into the corresponding (S)-acid using lipase derived from Pseudomonas sp. The process provides the target acid in high enantiomeric excess.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the stereoselective reduction of phenylalkyl ketones to their corresponding (S)-hydroxy compounds. The process utilizes the novel microorganism Microbacterium MB 5614 to effectuate the chiral reduction. The present invention also provides said novel Microbacterium, which has been deposited with the ATCC and assigned the accession number ATCC 55557.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel microbial bioconversion process for the synthesis of a trans-hydroxy sulfone intermediate, which is the precursor to topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (TCAI's). TCAI's are effective in the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The bioconversion process is carried out in the presence of the microorganism Rhodotorula rubra, or Rhodotorula piliminae and results in a trans-hydroxy sulfone which exhibits a diastereomeric excess of greater than 95%.

Abstract: Stereospecific (S)-6-bromo-2-tetraol is a key intermediate in the chemical synthesis of the chiral drug candidate, MK499, a ventricular arrythmias suppressant. The yeast strain Trichosporon capitatum (MY 1890) was employed for the bioconversion of 6-bromo-2-tetralone to the corresponding alcohol.