GB0018528D0 — Compounds

USPTO Abstract

The invention provides compounds for use in photochemotherapy or diagnosis, said compounds being branched alkyl esters or substituted alkyl esters of 5-aminolevulinic acid, or derivatives or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In particular, the invention provides compounds of formula (I): R22N-CH2COCH2CH2CO-OR1 (wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted branched alkyl (e.g. C5-30 alkyl) group, or a substituted alkyl group; R2, each of which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group, preferably a group R1; wherein said substituents are selected from hydroxy, alkoxy, acyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, amino, aryl, nitro, oxo, fluoro, -SR3, -NR32 and PR32 groups, and each alkyl group is optionally interrupted by one or more O-, -NR3-, -S- or -PR3- groups; and R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-6 alkyl group) and salts thereof for us in diagnosis and photochemotherapy of disorders of abnormalities of external or internal surfaces of the body, and products and kits for performing the invention.