SQUALENE SYNTHASE INHIBITORS 1998

Squalene synthase, the first enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthetic pa thway dedicated to sterol synthesis, represents an attractive target f or hypocholesterolaemic therapy. Whilst no squalene synthase inhibitor s have yet reached clinical trials, the most advanced compounds in thi s class, exemplified by J-104,123 and RPR 107393, reduce plasma choles terol following chronic oral dosing in animal models. This review summ arises the recent patent and primary literature in this field.