Preparative medicinal chemistry

In the research group for Preparative Medicinal Chemistry, we use synthetic chemistry as a driving force within medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, and molecular imaging with the aim of making an impact in drug development and healthcare innovation.

Research
New Synthetic Methods
What: Develop new chemical reactions to prepare biologically relevant compounds
Why: Access to novel chemical structures is of fundamental importance in drug discovery

Tracers for PET Imaging
What: Novel PSMA/GRPR-targeting heterodimeric tracers for PET/SPECT imaging
Why: Better clinical tools for diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer

Psychotherapeutics
What: Design and synthesis of novel psychedelics and development of robust chemical methods for their preparation
Why: Novel treatment opportunities and fundamental mechanistic insights regarding mental illness

MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) Reagents
What: Development of selective and highly sensitive reactive matrices for MALDI imaging
Why: These novel tools can be used to study biochemical changes during disease progression or treatment

IRAP inhibitors
What: Discovery of highly potent, selective and metabolically stable IRAP inhibitors
Why: Potential new treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Latest publications
- Söderström, Marcus; Olaniran Håkansson, Esther; Odell, Luke R., 2025
- Wilske, Frida; Eriksson, Olof; Amini, Rose-Marie et al., 2025
- Kanellopoulos, Panagiotis; Lundmark, Fanny; Abouzayed, Ayman et al., 2025
Meet our researchers
Read more about our team of researchers and educators in Preparative Medicinal Chemistry.

Publications
Part of Chemical Communications, p. 145-148, 2025
- DOI for Defluorinative thio-functionalization: direct synthesis of methyl-dithioesters from trifluoromethylarenes
- Download full text (pdf) of Defluorinative thio-functionalization: direct synthesis of methyl-dithioesters from trifluoromethylarenes
Part of Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, 2025
- DOI for Repeated positron emission tomography tracing neutrophil elastase in a porcine intensive-care sepsis model
- Download full text (pdf) of Repeated positron emission tomography tracing neutrophil elastase in a porcine intensive-care sepsis model
Part of EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry, 2025
- DOI for Synthesis and preclinical evaluation of gastrin releasing peptide receptor antagonist [18F]MeTz-PEG2-RM26 for positron emission tomography
- Download full text (pdf) of Synthesis and preclinical evaluation of gastrin releasing peptide receptor antagonist [18F]MeTz-PEG2-RM26 for positron emission tomography
18F-labelling of nitrogen-containing aryl boronates: anti-cancer drug melflufen as a case study
Part of Organic Chemistry Frontiers, p. 6411-6417, 2024
- DOI for 18F-labelling of nitrogen-containing aryl boronates: anti-cancer drug melflufen as a case study
- Download full text (pdf) of 18F-labelling of nitrogen-containing aryl boronates: anti-cancer drug melflufen as a case study
Part of Acta neuropathologica communications, 2024
- DOI for Altered amyloid-β structure markedly reduces gliosis in the brain of mice harboring the Uppsala APP deletion
- Download full text (pdf) of Altered amyloid-β structure markedly reduces gliosis in the brain of mice harboring the Uppsala APP deletion
Benzylhydroxamic acids as inhibitors of insulin regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP)
Part of European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Reports, 2024
- DOI for Benzylhydroxamic acids as inhibitors of insulin regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP)
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2024
Part of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, p. 1-18, 2024
- DOI for Identification of novel and potent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease from DNA-encoded chemical libraries
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Inhibition of Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase by Imidazo[1,5-α]pyridines; Synthesis and Evaluation
Part of International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024
- DOI for Inhibition of Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase by Imidazo[1,5-α]pyridines; Synthesis and Evaluation
- Download full text (pdf) of Inhibition of Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase by Imidazo[1,5-α]pyridines; Synthesis and Evaluation
N-(Heteroaryl)thiophene sulfonamides as angiotensin AT2 receptor ligands
Part of European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2024
- DOI for N-(Heteroaryl)thiophene sulfonamides as angiotensin AT2 receptor ligands
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Optimized method for fluorine-18 radiolabeling of Affibody molecules using RESCA
Part of EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry, 2024
- DOI for Optimized method for fluorine-18 radiolabeling of Affibody molecules using RESCA
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PET imaging of GABAA receptors in pancreatic islets by [11C]flumazenil
Part of EJNMMI Research, 2024
- DOI for PET imaging of GABAA receptors in pancreatic islets by [11C]flumazenil
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Part of EJNMMI Research, 2024
- DOI for Radiation dosimetry of para-chloro-2-[18F]fluoroethyl-etomidate: a PET tracer for adrenocortical imaging
- Download full text (pdf) of Radiation dosimetry of para-chloro-2-[18F]fluoroethyl-etomidate: a PET tracer for adrenocortical imaging
Part of Molecular Medicine Reports, 2024
- DOI for Reduction of renal activity retention of radiolabeled albumin binding domain-derived affinity proteins using a non-residualizing label strategy compared with a cleavable glycine-leucine-glycine-lysine-linker
- Download full text (pdf) of Reduction of renal activity retention of radiolabeled albumin binding domain-derived affinity proteins using a non-residualizing label strategy compared with a cleavable glycine-leucine-glycine-lysine-linker
Part of Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, 2024
- DOI for Regional distribution of mechanical strain and macrophage-associated lung inflammation after ventilator-induced lung injury: an experimental study
- Download full text (pdf) of Regional distribution of mechanical strain and macrophage-associated lung inflammation after ventilator-induced lung injury: an experimental study
Synthesis and evaluation of fluorine-18 labelled tetrazines as pre-targeting imaging agents for PET
Part of EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry, 2024
- DOI for Synthesis and evaluation of fluorine-18 labelled tetrazines as pre-targeting imaging agents for PET
- Download full text (pdf) of Synthesis and evaluation of fluorine-18 labelled tetrazines as pre-targeting imaging agents for PET
Synthesis of N-Alkenylated Heterocycles via T3P-Promoted Condensation with Ketones
Part of Journal of Organic Chemistry, p. 11203-11214, 2024
- DOI for Synthesis of N-Alkenylated Heterocycles via T3P-Promoted Condensation with Ketones
- Download full text (pdf) of Synthesis of N-Alkenylated Heterocycles via T3P-Promoted Condensation with Ketones
Part of Hormones and Behavior, 2024
- DOI for The decanoate esters of nandrolone, testosterone, and trenbolone induce steroid specific memory impairment and somatic effects in the male rat
- Download full text (pdf) of The decanoate esters of nandrolone, testosterone, and trenbolone induce steroid specific memory impairment and somatic effects in the male rat
Part of International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024
- DOI for The Discovery of New Inhibitors of Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase by a High-Throughput Screening of 400,000 Drug-like Compounds
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Part of ACS Omega, p. 18608-18616, 2024
- DOI for Two Novel [68Ga]Ga-Labeled Radiotracers Based on Metabolically Stable [Sar11]RM26 Antagonistic Peptide for Diagnostic Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of GRPR-Positive Prostate Cancer
- Download full text (pdf) of Two Novel [68Ga]Ga-Labeled Radiotracers Based on Metabolically Stable [Sar11]RM26 Antagonistic Peptide for Diagnostic Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of GRPR-Positive Prostate Cancer
Part of Frontiers in Oncology, 2023
- DOI for 177Lu-labeled PSMA targeting therapeutic with optimized linker for treatment of disseminated prostate cancer; evaluation of biodistribution and dosimetry
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[18F]MK-7246 for Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of the Beta-Cell Surface Marker GPR44
Part of Pharmaceutics, 2023
- DOI for [18F]MK-7246 for Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of the Beta-Cell Surface Marker GPR44
- Download full text (pdf) of [18F]MK-7246 for Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of the Beta-Cell Surface Marker GPR44
A Base-Free, Low Temperature Click and Release Reaction for the In Situ Generation of Diazomethane
Part of Advanced Synthesis and Catalysis, p. 1839-1845, 2023
- DOI for A Base-Free, Low Temperature Click and Release Reaction for the In Situ Generation of Diazomethane
- Download full text (pdf) of A Base-Free, Low Temperature Click and Release Reaction for the In Situ Generation of Diazomethane
Part of Comprehensive Psychiatry, 2023
- DOI for Acute nicotine exposure blocks aromatase in the limbic brain of healthy women: A [11C]cetrozole PET study
- Download full text (pdf) of Acute nicotine exposure blocks aromatase in the limbic brain of healthy women: A [11C]cetrozole PET study
Acyl Amidines by Pd-Catalyzed Aminocarbonylation: One-Pot Cyclizations and C-11 Labeling
Part of Journal of Organic Chemistry, p. 5078-5089, 2023
- DOI for Acyl Amidines by Pd-Catalyzed Aminocarbonylation: One-Pot Cyclizations and C-11 Labeling
- Download full text (pdf) of Acyl Amidines by Pd-Catalyzed Aminocarbonylation: One-Pot Cyclizations and C-11 Labeling
First-in-human evaluation of [18F]CETO: a novel tracer for adrenocortical tumours
Part of European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, p. 398-409, 2023
- DOI for First-in-human evaluation of [18F]CETO: a novel tracer for adrenocortical tumours
- Download full text (pdf) of First-in-human evaluation of [18F]CETO: a novel tracer for adrenocortical tumours
Part of Journal of Nuclear Medicine, p. 145-148, 2023
- DOI for In Vivo Visualization and Quantification of Neutrophil Elastase in Lungs of COVID-19 Patients: A First-in-Humans PET Study with 11C-NES
- Download full text (pdf) of In Vivo Visualization and Quantification of Neutrophil Elastase in Lungs of COVID-19 Patients: A First-in-Humans PET Study with 11C-NES
Part of Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, p. 836-846, 2023
- DOI for On-Tissue Chemical Derivatization for Comprehensive Mapping of Brain Carboxyl and Aldehyde Metabolites by MALDI-MS Imaging
- Download full text (pdf) of On-Tissue Chemical Derivatization for Comprehensive Mapping of Brain Carboxyl and Aldehyde Metabolites by MALDI-MS Imaging
2023
PET imaging of neutrophil elastase with 11C-GW457427 in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in pigs
Part of Journal of Nuclear Medicine, p. 423-429, 2023
Part of Cancers, 2023
- DOI for Preclinical Characterisation of PSMA/GRPR-Targeting Heterodimer [Ga-68]Ga-BQ7812 for PET Diagnostic Imaging of Prostate Cancer: A Step towards Clinical Translation
- Download full text (pdf) of Preclinical Characterisation of PSMA/GRPR-Targeting Heterodimer [Ga-68]Ga-BQ7812 for PET Diagnostic Imaging of Prostate Cancer: A Step towards Clinical Translation
Part of International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023
- DOI for Preclinical Evaluation of a Novel High-Affinity Radioligand [99mTc]Tc-BQ0413 Targeting Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)
- Download full text (pdf) of Preclinical Evaluation of a Novel High-Affinity Radioligand [99mTc]Tc-BQ0413 Targeting Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)
Synthesis of Substituted Indazole Acetic Acids by N-N Bond Forming Reactions
Part of European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2023
- DOI for Synthesis of Substituted Indazole Acetic Acids by N-N Bond Forming Reactions
- Download full text (pdf) of Synthesis of Substituted Indazole Acetic Acids by N-N Bond Forming Reactions
Part of Diagnostics, 2023
- DOI for The GRPR Antagonist [99mTc]Tc-maSSS-PEG2-RM26 towards Phase I Clinical Trial: Kit Preparation, Characterization and Toxicity
- Download full text (pdf) of The GRPR Antagonist [99mTc]Tc-maSSS-PEG2-RM26 towards Phase I Clinical Trial: Kit Preparation, Characterization and Toxicity
Thioacetalation and Multi-Component Thiomethylative Friedel-Crafts Arylation Using BF3SMe2
Part of ACS Omega, p. 4320-4330, 2023
- DOI for Thioacetalation and Multi-Component Thiomethylative Friedel-Crafts Arylation Using BF3SMe2
- Download full text (pdf) of Thioacetalation and Multi-Component Thiomethylative Friedel-Crafts Arylation Using BF3SMe2
Part of Journal of Nuclear Medicine, p. 302-309, 2022
- DOI for 11C-PiB and 124I-antibody PET provide differing estimates of brain amyloid-β after therapeutic intervention
- Download full text (pdf) of 11C-PiB and 124I-antibody PET provide differing estimates of brain amyloid-β after therapeutic intervention
2-Alkyl substituted benzimidazoles as a new class of selective AT2 receptor ligands
Part of Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 2022
- DOI for 2-Alkyl substituted benzimidazoles as a new class of selective AT2 receptor ligands
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Part of Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, p. 7117-7128, 2022
Angiotensin II AT2 receptor ligands with phenylthiazole scaffolds
Part of Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 2022
- DOI for Angiotensin II AT2 receptor ligands with phenylthiazole scaffolds
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Chronic cerebral blood flow alterations in traumatic brain injury and sports-related concussions
Part of Brain Injury, p. 948-960, 2022
- DOI for Chronic cerebral blood flow alterations in traumatic brain injury and sports-related concussions
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Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Linker-Optimised PSMA-Targeting Radioligands
Part of Pharmaceutics, 2022
- DOI for Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Linker-Optimised PSMA-Targeting Radioligands
- Download full text (pdf) of Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Linker-Optimised PSMA-Targeting Radioligands
Part of Pharmaceuticals, 2022
- DOI for E-Cigarette Aerosol Deposition and Disposition of [C-11]Nicotine Using Positron Emission Tomography: A Comparison of Nicotine Uptake in Lungs and Brain Using Two Different Nicotine Formulations
- Download full text (pdf) of E-Cigarette Aerosol Deposition and Disposition of [C-11]Nicotine Using Positron Emission Tomography: A Comparison of Nicotine Uptake in Lungs and Brain Using Two Different Nicotine Formulations
Part of Molecular Pharmaceutics, p. 4111-4122, 2022
- DOI for Functionalization of Radiolabeled Antibodies to Enhance Peripheral Clearance for High Contrast Brain Imaging
- Download full text (pdf) of Functionalization of Radiolabeled Antibodies to Enhance Peripheral Clearance for High Contrast Brain Imaging
Glucagonlike Peptide-1 Receptor Imaging in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes
Part of Journal of Nuclear Medicine, p. 794-800, 2022
P-119 - Efficient cartridge-based synthesis of a novel [18F]tetrazine for large molecule labelling
Part of Nuclear Medicine and Biology, 2022
Part of Journal of Organic Chemistry, p. 5118-5126, 2022
- DOI for Palladium-Mediated Synthesis of [Carbonyl-11C]acyl Amidines from Aryl Iodides and Aryl Bromides and Their One-Pot Cyclization to 11C-Labeled Oxadiazoles
- Download full text (pdf) of Palladium-Mediated Synthesis of [Carbonyl-11C]acyl Amidines from Aryl Iodides and Aryl Bromides and Their One-Pot Cyclization to 11C-Labeled Oxadiazoles
PET Imaging in Preclinical Anti-Aβ Drug Development
Part of Pharmaceutical research, p. 1481-1496, 2022
- DOI for PET Imaging in Preclinical Anti-Aβ Drug Development
- Download full text (pdf) of PET Imaging in Preclinical Anti-Aβ Drug Development
Part of BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, 2022
- DOI for Pharmacodynamic evaluation and safety assessment of treatment with antibodies to serum amyloid P component in patients with cardiac amyloidosis: an open-label Phase 2 study and an adjunctive immuno-PET imaging study
- Download full text (pdf) of Pharmacodynamic evaluation and safety assessment of treatment with antibodies to serum amyloid P component in patients with cardiac amyloidosis: an open-label Phase 2 study and an adjunctive immuno-PET imaging study
Part of NATURE CANCER, p. 156, 2022
- DOI for Pharmacological targeting of MTHFD2 suppresses acute myeloid leukemia by inducing thymidine depletion and replication stress
- Download full text (pdf) of Pharmacological targeting of MTHFD2 suppresses acute myeloid leukemia by inducing thymidine depletion and replication stress
Preclinical evaluation of [C-11]GW457427 as a tracer for neutrophil elastase
Part of Nuclear Medicine and Biology, p. 62-71, 2022
- DOI for Preclinical evaluation of [C-11]GW457427 as a tracer for neutrophil elastase
- Download full text (pdf) of Preclinical evaluation of [C-11]GW457427 as a tracer for neutrophil elastase