Travoprost(CAS:157283-68-6)

Travoprost (CAS 157283-68-6) was originally developed by Alcon Laboratories, a second-generation fluorinated prostaglandin prodrug for intraocular pressure reduction. Endowed with three differentiated advantages including dual drainage pathway hypotension, ultra-long duration of action and optic microcirculation protection, it has become an indispensable core API for global generic glaucoma drug manufacturing, ophthalmic CRO efficacy evaluation and university ophthalmic pathogenesis research. With molecular formula C₂₆H₃₅F₃O₆ and molecular weight 500.55, it exists as colorless to pale yellow oil, freely soluble in methanol, chloroform and DMSO while practically insoluble in pure water. It maintains excellent chemical stability under light-shielded sealed storage at -20℃, with HPLC purity above 99.0%. Strict specifications control chiral stereoisomers, process degradants, heavy metals and residual solvents fully comply with USP and EP standards for ophthalmic APIs. It supports full research workflows including in vitro FP receptor binding assays, human corneal epithelial permeability models, rabbit glaucoma animal modeling and long-acting eye drop formulation development, delivering uniform batch bioactivity and highly repeatable experimental data.

In terms of core pharmacology and prodrug metabolic mechanism, Travoprost adopts isopropyl ester prodrug design to overcome poor corneal penetration of free prostaglandins, while trifluoromethylphenyl modification on lipid scaffold drastically improves FP receptor specificity. After topical ocular administration, it rapidly penetrates corneal stroma, then ester bonds are cleaved by esterases inside cornea and ciliary muscle to release biologically active free acid. This active metabolite binds FP receptors on ciliary muscle and trabecular meshwork with ultra-high affinity (FP Ki = 35 nM), thousands-fold selective over DP, EP and IP prostanoid subtypes. It remodels trabecular extracellular matrix to open conventional drainage, meanwhile relaxes ciliary muscle to widen uveoscleral bypass, accelerating aqueous outflow via dual synergistic pathways. IOP reduction initiates 2 hours post-dosing and peaks at 12 hours, with single dose efficacy covering full 24 hours; once-nightly administration achieves stable all-day pressure control, delivering average 7–9 mmHg (33%) IOP drop for patients with baseline pressure over 25 mmHg. Distinct from single-pathway hypotensive agents, it dilates microvessels at optic nerve head to boost retinal perfusion and relieve optic nerve ischemia induced by high intraocular pressure, integrating both IOP-lowering and neuroprotective effects.

Its clinical and scientific research applications cover diversified ophthalmic verticals. Clinically, 0.004% Travoprost ophthalmic solution serves as first-line therapy for primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, indicated for refractory patients with insufficient response to monotherapy of β-blockers or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Formulations preserved with POLYQUAD demonstrate far lower cytotoxicity to conjunctival epithelium versus benzalkonium chloride, with reduced incidence of dry eye and hyperemia for patients requiring lifelong chronic intervention. Three core research directions stand out in laboratory use: first, FP receptor structure-activity relationship research, comparing Latanoprost and Tafluprost to analyze how fluorinated substituents alter receptor affinity, corneal permeability and in vivo half-life; second, construction of chronic ocular hypertension animal models to evaluate 24h long-acting hypotensive potency and retinal neuroprotective capacity of novel lead compounds; third, development of sustained-release ophthalmic delivery systems such as microspheres and intracameral implants, supporting R&D of ultra-long-acting glaucoma drugs dosed once weekly.

Regarding raw material production and industrial research value, Travoprost total synthesis adopts Corey lactone as starting material via ten-step reactions including Wittig condensation, chiral reduction, fluorinated side chain coupling and isopropyl esterification. Refined recrystallization efficiently removes stereoisomeric impurities such as 15-epi and cis-trans alkene isomers. Complete specifications ranging from milligram to kilogram scale meet demands of microscale target screening and pilot formulation scale-up. Minimal systemic absorption after topical administration leads to short plasma half-life of merely 45 minutes, without obvious systemic cardiovascular or hormonal adverse reactions, offering a wide safety window for long-term animal ocular administration. With global aging population expanding and rising glaucoma prevalence, long-acting, low-irritation prostaglandin agents with neuroprotective benefits dominate ophthalmic innovative drug pipelines. As the benchmark second-generation fluorinated FP agonist with comprehensive Phase 1–3 clinical datasets and abundant published literature, Travoprost maintains irreplaceable long-term commercial and research value in generic ophthalmic drug production, glaucoma pharmacology and novel sustained-release ocular formulation development worldwide.