Topiramate is a derivative of the monosaccharide D-fructose that is under development for the treatment of epilepsy by the R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson). This drug was discovered in my laboratory (U.S. Patent 4,513,006) and is currently in advanced clinical development. We have published on this anticonvulsant drug in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (30:880, 1987) and Drugs of the Future (14:342, 1989), and have presented our findings at the American Chemical Society national meeting in 1986 (Chemical & Engineering News, Sept. 29, 1986, page 23; Medical World News, Oct. 13, 1986, page 27) and at meetings of the American Epilepsy Society. At least from this case, it is evident that small, venture- capital companies are not the only players pursuing carbohydrate-based therapeutic agents.
BRUCE E. MARYANOFF
Distinguished Research Fellow
Assistant Director
Medicinal Chemistry
R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute
Spring House, Pa.
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