NZ724236B2 - Carbohydrate ligands that bind to igm antibodies against myelin-associated glycoprotein - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to carbohydrate ligands presenting the minimal Human Natural Killer-1 (HNK-1) epitope that bind to anti-MAG (myelin-associated glycoprotein) IgM antibodies, and their use in diagnosis as well as for the treatment of anti-MAG neuropathy. In particular, the invention relates to disaccharides of formula (I) and (II) wherein Z is optionally substituted phenyl, heteroaryl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl, and to therapeutically acceptable polymers comprising a multitude of substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II), wherein Z is a bifunctional linker connecting the disaccharides to the polymer backbone. isaccharides of formula (I) and (II) wherein Z is optionally substituted phenyl, heteroaryl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl, and to therapeutically acceptable polymers comprising a multitude of substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II), wherein Z is a bifunctional linker connecting the disaccharides to the polymer backbone.

Description

Carbohydrate ligands that bind to lgM antibodies against myelin-associated glycoprotein Field of the ion The invention relates to carbohydrate ligands that bind to lgM antibodies against myelin- associated glycoprotein (MAG), polymers comprising these, and to their use in diagnosis and therapy of AG neuropathy.

Background of the invention Anti-myelin-associated rotein neuropathy is a demyelinating peripheral neuropathy, caused by autoantibodies recognizing the antigenic HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope, found on -associated glycoprotein (MAG) and other glycoconjugates of the eral nervous system (PNS). The clinical picture is characterized by a slowly progressing demyelinating, inantly sensory neuropathy. The correlation of high levels of antibodies and demyelination is well established. Thus, pathological studies on nerve biopsies from patients show demyelination and widening of myelin lamellae, as well as deposits of anti-MAG lgM on myelin. rmore, therapeutic reduction of the lgM antibody concentration leads to clinical improvement of neuropathic ms. (A.J.

Steck et al., Current Opinion in Neurology 2006, 19:458—463; M.C. Dalakas, Current Treatment Options in Neurology 2010, 12:71—83).

The myelin glycoconjugates that contain the HNK-1 epitope include the glycoproteins MAG, protein zero (P0), peripheral myelin protein-22 (PMP22), as well as the glycolipids sulfoglucuronyl paragloboside (SGPG) and sulfoglucuronyl lactosaminyl paragloboside (SGLPG). Several observations suggest MAG as major target for the lgM antibodies: (i) Deposits of ts’ dies to PNS sites are co-localized with MAG, (ii) MAG is selectively lost from myelin, and (iii) the human nerve pathology and MAG-knockout mice show characteristic similarities (R.H. Quarles, Journal of Neurochemistry 2007, 100: 1431—1448).

MAG belongs to the family of sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs). It is located mainly in periaxonal nes of oligodendroglial cells in the CNS and Schwann cells in the PNS and is involved in adhesion and signaling processes at the axon-glia ace (R.H. Quarles, 2007, loc. cit.). MAG is strongly glycosylated, Le. 30% of its molecular weight is contributed by heterogeneous N-linked oligosaccharides. All of the potential eight N-glycosylation sites of MAG can carry the HNK-1 e. The two glycolipids (SGPG, SGLPG) carrying the HNK-1 epitope contain 3-O-sulfoglucuronic acid (SO3-3GlcA) as a specific hallmark (T. Ariga et al., J Biol Chem 1987, 262:848-853). stingly, the HNK-1 epitope structure of bovine glycoprotein P0 also contains this characteristic feature. The similarity between the three ated structures is restricted to the terminal trisaccharide. Consequently the HNK-1 epitope was defined as SO3 GlcA(β1-3)Gal(β1-4)GlcNAc-OH.

The precise carbohydrate e recognized by IgM antibodies remains unclear. A study with SGPG derivatives showed that the IgM antibodies place different importance on the carboxyl and the sulfate group. Whereas "intact" SGPG, ning both vely charged groups, was reported as optimal epitope for antibody binding (A.A. Ilyas et al., J hemistry 1990, -601), other studies emphasize the importance of the length of the carbohydrate chain for antibody recognition. Furthermore, the SO3GlcA(β1- 3)Gal disaccharide e seems to be the minimum requirement for binding (A. Tokuda et al., J. Carbohydrate Chemistry 1998, 17:535-546).

It is to be understood that if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in New d or any other country.

Summary of the invention The invention relates to carbohydrate ligands that bind to anti-MAG IgM antibodies, and their use in diagnosis as well as for the treatment of anti-MAG neuropathy.

In particular, the invention relates to a compound of formula (I) or of formula (II) (II) 17340905_1 (GHMatters) P42121NZ00 2a (followed by Page 3) wherein Z is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl or a salt thereof. ing to a preferred embodiment, there is provided a compound of formula (I) or of formula (II) (II) wherein Z is substituted phenyl, wherein the substituents are selected from lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, amino-lower alkyl, acylamino-lower alkyl, mercapto-lower carbonylamino-lower alkyl, cyclopropyl, hydroxy, lower , halo-lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, methylenedioxy, hydroxy-sulfonyloxy, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxylaminocarbonyl, tetrazolyl, hydroxysulfonyl, ulfonyl, halo, cyano and nitro, or a salt thereof. 17464160_1 (GHMatters) P42121NZ00 Further, the invention s to a polymer comprising a multitude of disaccharide substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II), or a salt thereof, (I) (II) wherein Z is a linker connecting said substituent to the polymer backbone, wherein the linker Z is aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-C1alkyl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl, n said aryl is phenyl and said heteroaryl is a 5 or 6 membered monocyclic heteroaryl group; and wherein said aryl or said heteroaryl is substituted by alkylene with 3 to 25 carbon atoms connecting to the polymer wherein optionally (a) one or more carbon atoms of alkylene are replaced by nitrogen ng a en atom, and one of the adjacent carbon atoms is substituted by oxo, representing an amide function -NH-CO-; and/or (b) one or more carbon atoms of alkylene are replaced by oxygen; (c) one or more carbon atoms of alkylene are replaced by sulphur; and/or (d1) the terminal carbon atom ting to the polymer is substituted by oxo; or (d2) the terminal carbon atom connecting to the polymer is replaced by -NH-; and said r backbone is an α-amino acid r, an acrylic acid or methacrylic acid polymer or copolymer, or a N-vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl alcohol copolymer.

The invention also relates to disaccharides of formula (I) COONa HO O O NaO3SO O OZ OH OH (I) and of formula (II) COONa HO O O HO O OZ OH OH (II) wherein Z is optionally substituted phenyl, heteroaryl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl.

Furthermore the ion relates to therapeutically able polymers comprising a multitude of substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II), wherein Z is a linker ting said substituent to the polymer backbone.

The invention relates also to ceutical compositions comprising these compounds, diagnostic kits containing these, and to the use of these compounds for the diagnosis and therapy of anti-MAG neuropathy.

Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1. Schematic representation of a competitive binding assay (a) Incubation of MAG-coated plates with anti-MAG lgM nt sera) and polymer 25. (b) Wash step. (c) Incubation with anti-human lgM antibody coupled to horseradish peroxidase. (d) Wash step. (e) Addition of tetramethylbenzidin (TMB) substrate. (f) Addition of acidic stop solution and measurement of the optical density.

Figure 2. Binding curves for compounds 1, 2 and 25 2(a) The MAG-coated wells were co-incubated with compound 1 (50 mM highest concentration) and the four patient sera MK, DP, KH and SJ (%ab = % lgM dy binding to MAG). 2(b) Co-incubation of MAG-coated wells with compound 2 (50 mM highest concentration) together with patient sera MK and SJ. 2(c) Co-incubation with compound 25 (15 uM highest concentration) er with patient sera MK, KH and SJ. Compound 25 is a polylysine polymer with a defined percentage of lysine residues coupled to the minimal HNK-1 epitope (1). The general abbreviation used is as follows: HNK-1)X with x defining the percentage of epitope loading in %. In this case the polymer is PL(minHNK-1)44. 2(d) Co-incubation with patient serum KH together with the polymers PL(minHNK-1)X with x being 10, 25, 31 and 44% (0.5 mM t concentration). 2(e) Co-incubation with the mouse onal anti-HNK-1 lgM antibody, a positive control antibody, together with the polymers HNK-1)X with x being 10, 25, 31 and 44% (0.5 mM highest concentration).

Detailed description of the invention A l HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope still reliably recognized by anti-MAG lgM antibodies was identified and corresponding disaccharides ed both in a sulfated (formula I) and lfated form (formula II).

The invention relates to these disaccharides of formula (I) COONa HO 0 0 NaO3SO 0 oz OH OH (0 and of formula (II) COONa HO 0 0 HO 0 oz OH OH (H) wherein Z is optionally tuted phenyl, heteroaryl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl.

The sulfate moiety in a (I) is located in position 3 of glucuronic acid.

Furthermore the invention relates to polymers comprising a multitude of substituents of a (I) and/or a (II), wherein Z is a linker connecting said substituent to the polymer backbone.

In particular, linker Z is (bifunctional) aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-lower alkyl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl, wherein aryl or heteroaryl is substituted by alkylene with 3 to 25 carbon atoms connecting to the polymer wherein optionally (a) one or more carbon atoms of alkylene are replaced by nitrogen carrying a hydrogen atom, and one of the adjacent carbon atoms is substituted by oxo, representing an amide function —NH—CO—; and/or (b) one or more carbon atoms of ne are replaced by oxygen; (0) one or more carbon atoms of alkylene are replaced by sulphur; and/or (d1) the terminal carbon atom connecting to the polymer is substituted by 0x0; or (d2) the terminal carbon atom connecting to the polymer is replaced by —NH—.

The polymer comprising the multitude of substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II), wherein Z is a linker connecting said substituent to the polymer backbone, is preferably an d-amino acid polymer, an acrylic acid or rylic acid polymer or copolymer, or a N- vinylpyrrolidone-vinylalcohol copolymer.

Particular examples of polymers of the ion are (A) a poly-o-amino acid, wherein the amino acid s a side chain aminoalkyl function, such as in ysine, in particular poly-L-lysine or poly-D-lysine, and the amino group is connected to a terminal carbonyl group of bifunctional linker Z; (B) a poly-o-amino acid, wherein the amino acid carries a side chain carbonylalkyl function, such as in poly-aspartic acid or poly-glutamic acid, and the carbonyl group (which corresponds to the original carboxy group in aspartic acid and glutamic acid, respectively) is connected to a terminal -CH2-group of bifunctional linker Z; (C) poly-acrylic acid, poly-methacrylic acid or a copolymer of acrylic and methacrylic acid, wherein the carboxy group is amidated by a terminal amino group of bifunctional linker Z; (D) a copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl alcohol, wherein the hydroxy group of the vinyl alcohol part of the copolymer is connected to a terminal yl group of bifunctional linker Z.

In a particular embodiment, a polymer (A) comprises the partial formula (Ill) 0 R2 R1 0 (III), wherein R1 is an aminoalkyl substituent connected to linker Z, wherein the alkylene group of Z carries an oxo group in the terminal position connected to the amino group of R1, R2 is 2,3-dihydroxypropylthioacetyl-aminoalkyl, and the relation between the two bracketed entities with R1 and R2, tively, in the polymer indicates the relation of haride g to capped amino function.

For example, R1 is of formula (Illa) O 0 C Jk/ To3 NH(CH2)q— 0 P (Illa), and R2 is of formula (lllb) O OH C NJk/SWOH ° (lllb), wherein o is between 1 and 6, preferably 3 or 4, p is between 1 and 6, preferably between 2 and 4, in particular 3, and q is between 1 and 6, preferably between 1 and 4, in particular 2.

When 0 is 3, substituent R1 represents a side chain of poly-ornithine, and when 0 is 4, substituent R1 represents a side chain of poly-lysine, connected to a linker Z carrying a disaccharide of a (I) or (II) at the free valence, and R2 is 2,3-dihydroxy- propylthioacetyl-aminoalkyl, Le. a capped amino function having a solubilizing substituent.

The poly-amino acid can be , hyperbranched or tic, as described by Z.

Kadlecova et al., Biomacromolecules 2012, 13:3127-3137, for poly-lysine as s: NH2 2322322 o NH2 IZ 2f"3 "of"? NH2 0 O NH HZNWN 0 O NH NH2 HN \/N NH NH2 H H O NH 0 N O NH2 0 NH o H2N The poly-lysine used to prepare polymer (A) of formula (III) has preferably a lar weight n 15000 and 300000, in particular 30000 to 70000, and such polymers further connected via a linker Z to compounds of formula (I) and/or (II) and with a capping 2,3-dihydroxypropylthioacetyl residue are preferred.

In a particular embodiment, a polymer (B) comprises the partial formula (Ill) 0 R2 R1 0 (III), wherein R1 is a carbonylalkyl substituent connected to linker Z, wherein the alkylene group of Z carries a roup in the terminal position connected to the carbonyl group of R1, R2 is 2,3-dihydroxypropylthioacetyl-carbonylalkyl, and the on between the two bracketed entities with R1 and R2, respectively, in the polymer indicates the relation of disaccharide loading to capped carbonyl or carboxy function.

For example, R1 is of formula (lllc) O O \[H2 S C C NH CH —( 2)q o P (lllc), and R2 is of formula (llld) 0 OH 0 (llld) wherein o is between 1 and 6, preferably 1 or 2, p is between 1 and 6, ably between 2 and 4, in particular 3, and q is between 1 and 6, preferably between 1 and 4, in particular 2.

When 0 is 1, substituent R1 represents a side chain of poly-glutamic acid, and when 0 is 2, substituent R1 represents a side chain of spartic acid, connected to a linker Z carrying a disaccharide of formula (I) or (II) at the free valence, and R2 is 2,3-dihydroxy- propylthioacetyl-carbonylalkyl, Le. a capped carboxy function having a solubilizing substituent.

The poly-aspartic acid used to prepare polymer (B) of formula (III) has preferably a molecular weight between 15000 and 300000, in particular 30000 to 70000, and such polymers r reacted with linker Z connected to compounds of formula (I) and/or (II) and with a capping 2,3-dihydroxypropylthioalkyl residue are preferred.

In a ular ment, a polymer (C) comprises the partial formula (IV) (IV), wherein 1010 R1 is a linker Z, wherein the alkylene group of Z carries a -NH2- group in the terminal position connected to the carbonyl group in (IV), R2 is 2,3-dihydroxypropylthioacetylaminoalkylamino or a related amino substituent, and R3 is hydrogen or methyl; and the on between the two bracketed entities with R1 and R2, respectively, in the polymer indicates the relation of disaccharide loading to capped carboxy function.

For example, R1 is of formula (lVa) H H2 \N/\/N\n/\S C NH(CH2)r_ O 0 q (Na), and R2 is of formula (lVb) \N/\/ \fl/\S/fi/\OHN \ /CH3 H N O OH (lVb) or H (ch) wherein in q is between 1 and 6, preferably between 4 and 6, and r is between 1 and 6, preferably between 1 and 4, in particular 2.

In another embodiment R1 is of a (lVd) O H g2 NH CH — H p O 0 q (lVd), and R2 is of formula (lVe) \MqowobHrS/YOHOH (We) wherein p is between 1 and 10, preferably between 1 and 4, q is n 1 and 6, preferably between 4 and 6, and r is between 1 and 6, preferably n 1 and 4, in particular 2.

In another embodiment R1 is of formula (lVf) \N/ (CH2)r— H (lVf) n r is between 1 and 6, preferably n 1 and 4, in particular 2, and R2 is of formula (ch) (above). 1111 The poly-acrylic acid used to prepare polymer (C) of formula (IV) has preferably a lar weight between 30000 and , in particular 30000 to 160000, and such polymers further reacted with linker Z connected to compounds of formula (I) and/or (II) and with a capping 2,3-dihydroxypropylthioacetyl residue are preferred.

In a particular embodiment, a polymer (D) comprises the partial formula (V) R10 R20 N wherein R1 is a linker Z, wherein the alkylene group of Z carries a aminocarbonyl group in the terminal position connected to the hydroxyl group in (V), R2 is 2,3-dihydroxypropylthioacetylaminoalkylaminocarbonyl or a related aminocarbonyl substituent, and the relation between the two bracketed entities with R1 and R2, respectively, in the polymer indicates the relation of disaccharide loading to capped hydroxy function.

For e, R1 is of formula (Va) H H2 O 0 q (Va), and R2 is of formula (Vb) i H /\/N l VSAFOH 0 OH (Vb) wherein q is between 1 and 6, ably n 4 and 6, and r is between 1 and 6, preferably between 1 and 4, in ular 2.

In another embodiment R1 is of formula (Vc) )L A/{0 (H32 NH(CH2 r—) N k" \/\ O S H p \n/\ O 0 q (Vc), and R2 is of formula (Vd) 1212 ilml‘MolpwlwfsomOH (Vd) wherein p is between 1 and 10, preferably between 1 and 4, q is between 1 and 6, preferably between 4 and 6, and r is between 1 and 6, preferably between 1 and 4, in ular 2.

In another embodiment R1 is of a (Ve) )LN/(CH2)r— H (Ve) and R2 is of formula (Vf) AN/CH3 H (Vf) wherein r is between 1 and 6, preferably between 1 and 4, in particular 2.

The copolymer used to prepare polymer (D) of formula (V) has preferably a molecular weight between 30000 and 400000, in particular 30000 to 160000, and such rs further reacted with linker Z connected to nds of formula (I) and/or (II) and with a capping 2,3-dihydroxypropylthioacetyl e are preferred.

The general terms used before and hereinafter ably have within the context of this disclosure the following meanings, unless otherwise indicated: The prefix "lower" denotes a radical having up to and ing a maximum of 7, especially up to and including a maximum of 4 carbon atoms, the radicals in question being either linear or branched with single or multiple branching.

Where the plural form is used for compounds, salts, and the like, this is taken to mean also a single compound, salt, or the like.

Double bonds in principle can have E- or Z-configuration. The compounds of this invention may therefore exist as isomeric mixtures or single isomers. If not specified both isomeric forms are intended.

Any asymmetric carbon atoms may be present in the (R)—, (S)— or (R,S)—configuration, 1313 preferably in the (R)— or (S)-configuration. The compounds may thus be present as mixtures of isomers or as pure s, preferably as enantiomer—pure diastereomers.

Alkyl (or bifunctional alkylene in a linker) has from 1 to 25, for example 1 to 12, preferably from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and is linear or branched. Alkyl is preferably lower alkyl.

Preferably, (bifunctional) alkylene has from 3 to 25, preferably from 4 to 12 carbon atoms.

Lower alkyl has 1 to 7, preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms and is butyl, such as n-butyl, sec- butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, , such as n-propyl or isopropyl, ethyl or methyl. ably lower alkyl is methyl or ethyl.

Cycloalkyl has preferably 3 to 7 ring carbon atoms, and may be unsubstituted or substituted, e.g. by lower alkyl or lower alkoxy. Cycloalkyl is, for example, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, methylcyclopentyl, or cyclopropyl, in particular cyclopropyl.

Aryl stands for a mono- or bicyclic fused ring aromatic group with 5 to 10 carbon atoms optionally carrying substituents, such as phenyl, thyl or 2-naphthyl, or also a partially saturated bicyclic fused ring comprising a phenyl group, such as indanyl, indolinyl, dihydro- or tetrahydronaphthyl, all optionally tuted. Preferably, aryl is phenyl, indanyl, indolinyl or tetrahydronaphthyl, in ular .

The term ,,aryl ng substituents" stands for aryl substituted by up to four substituents independently ed from lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, carboxy- lower alkyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl-lower alkyl; arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl, wherein aryl or heteroaryl are unsubstituted or substituted by up to three substituents selected from lower alkyl, cyclopropyl, halo-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, hydroxysulfonyl, ulfonyl, tetrazolyl, carboxy, halogen, amino, cyano and nitro; y-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy- lower alkyl, aryloxy-lower alkyl, heteroaryloxy-lower alkyl, aryl-lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, heteroaryl-lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-lower alkyl; aminoalkyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, alkoxy-lower alkyl and amino-lower alkyl, or by one substituent alkylcarbonyl or mercaptoalkylcarbonyl, carbonyl, amino-lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower carbonyl and arbonyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkinyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, halo-lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, cycloalkyl-lower alkoxy, 1414 aryloxy, aryl-lower alkoxy, aryloxy-lower alkoxy, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryl-lower alkoxy, heteroaryloxy-lower alkoxy, ally substituted alkenyloxy, optionally substituted alkinyloxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, hydroxysulfonyloxy; alkylmercapto, hydroxysulfinyl, alkylsulfinyl, halo-lower alkylsulfinyl, hydroxysulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl; aminosulfonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two tuents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl, ally tuted heteroaryl and optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; amino ally substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, y-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, di-lower alkylamino-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl and optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or by one substituent optionally substituted , optionally substituted heteroaryl, alkylcarbonyl, optionally substituted phenylcarbonyl, optionally substituted pyridylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl or aminocarbonyl, and wherein alkyl or lower alkyl in each case may be substituted by halogen, lower alkoxy, aryl, aryl or optionally substituted amino, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; ymethylamino or lower alkoxycarbonylmethylamino substituted at the methyl group such that the resulting substituent corresponds to one of the 20 naturally occurring standard amino acids, aminomethylcarbonylamino substituted at the methyl group such that the resulting acyl group corresponds to one of the 20 naturally occurring standard amino acids; lower arbonyl, halo-lower alkylcarbonyl, optionally substituted phenylcarbonyl, optionally substituted heteroarylcarbonyl, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxycarbonyl; aminocarbonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one hydroxy or amino group or one or two substituents ed from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl- lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower -lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, ally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl and optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; cyano, halogen, and nitro; and wherein two substituents in ortho-position to each other can form a 5-, 6- or 7- membered yclic or heterocyclic ring containing one, two or three oxygen atoms, one or two nitrogen atoms and/or one sulfur atom, wherein the nitrogen atoms are ally substituted by lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl or lower alkylcarbonyl.

In particular, the substituents may be independently selected from lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, 1515 optionally substituted alkinyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopropyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, halo-lower alkoxy, lower -lower alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, y, hydroxysulfonyloxy; alkylmercapto, hydroxysulfinyl, ulfinyl, ower alkylsulfinyl, hydroxysulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl; aminosulfonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl and optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; amino optionally substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, er alkylamino-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, or by one substituent ally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, alkylcarbonyl, optionally substituted phenylcarbonyl, optionally substituted pyridylcarbonyl, carbonyl or aminocarbonyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; carboxymethylamino or lower alkoxycarbonylmethylamino substituted at the methyl group such that the resulting substituent corresponds to one of the 20 naturally ing standard amino acids, aminomethylcarbonylamino substituted at the methyl group such that the ing acyl group corresponds to one of the 20 naturally occurring standard amino acids; lower alkylcarbonyl, halo-lower alkylcarbonyl, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower carbonyl; aminocarbonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one hydroxy or amino group or one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower -lower alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl and ally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form er with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; cyano, halogen, and nitro; and wherein two substituents in ortho-position to each other can form a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring containing one or two oxygen atoms and/or one or two nitrogen atoms, wherein the nitrogen atoms are optionally substituted by lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl or lower alkylcarbonyl. ln optionally substituted phenyl, substituents are preferably lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, amino-lower alkyl, acylamino-lower alkyl, cyclopropyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, ower alkoxy, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, methylenedioxy, hydroxy- sulfonyloxy, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxylaminocarbonyl, tetrazolyl, hydroxysulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, halo, cyano or nitro, in ular lower alkoxy, amino-lower alkyl, acylamino-lower alkyl, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxylaminocarbonyl, tetrazolyl, or aminosulfonyl. 1616 Heteroaryl represents an aromatic group ning at least one heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and is mono- or bicyclic, optionally carrying substituents.

Monocyclic heteroaryl includes 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl groups containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen. Bicyclic aryl includes 9 or membered fused-ring heteroaryl groups. Examples of heteroaryl include pyrrolyl, thienyl, furyl, pyrazolyl, olyl, triazolyl, olyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, and benzo or pyridazo fused derivatives of such monocyclic heteroaryl groups, such as indolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuryl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, olinyl, pyrrolopyridine, imidazopyridine, or purinyl, all optionally tuted. Preferably, heteroaryl is pyridyl, pyrimdinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, l, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, triazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, pyrrolopyridine or imidazopyridine; in particular l, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, triazolyl, indolyl, pyrrolopyridine or imidazopyridine.

The term "heteroaryl carrying substituents" stands for heteroaryl substituted by up to three substituents independently selected from lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, aryloxy-lower alkyl, heteroaryloxy- lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-lower alkyl; aminoalkyl, wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, hydroxy- lower alkyl, alkoxy-lower alkyl, amino-lower alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, amino- lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxycarbonyl and aminocarbonyl; optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted l, cycloalkyl; aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl, wherein aryl or aryl are unsubstituted or substituted by up to three substituents selected from lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halogen, amino, cyano and nitro; hydroxy, lower alkoxy, ower alkoxy, lower -lower alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkyl-lower alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl-lower alkoxy, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryl-lower , alkenyloxy, alkinyloxy, alkylmercapto, ulfinyl, halo-lower alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl, optionally tuted heteroaryl and optionally tuted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; amino optionally tuted by one or two tuents ed from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, er alkylamino-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, 1717 optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl or aminocarbonyl, and wherein alkyl or lower alkyl in each case may be substituted by halogen, lower alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl or optionally substituted amino, or wherein the two substituents on en form er with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; lower alkylcarbonyl, halo-lower arbonyl, optionally substituted phenylcarbonyl, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxycarbonyl; arbonyl wherein amino is tituted or substituted by one hydroxy or amino group or one or two tuents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted phenyl- lower alkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl and optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; cyano, halogen, and nitro.

In particular, the substituents on heteroaryl may be independently selected from lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally tuted alkinyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkenyloxy, alkinyloxy, alkyl- mercapto, alkylsulfinyl, halo-lower alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl wherein amino is tituted or substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, y-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl and optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; amino optionally substituted by one or two tuents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, di-lower alkylamino-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl or aminocarbonyl, and n alkyl or lower alkyl in each case may be substituted by lower alkoxy or optionally tuted amino, or n the two tuents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; lower alkyl- carbonyl, halo-lower alkylcarbonyl, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxycarbonyl; aminocarbonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one y or amino group or one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl- lower alkyl, y-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl or cycloalkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; cyano, halogen, and nitro. 1818 In optionally substituted heteroaryl, substituents are preferably lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, halo-lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy- lower alkoxy, enedioxy, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxylaminocarbonyl, tetrazolyl, aminosulfonyl, halo, cyano or nitro.

Alkenyl contains one or more, e.g. two or three, double bonds, and is preferably lower alkenyl, such as 1- or 2-butenyl, 1-propenyl, allyl or vinyl. l is preferably lower alkinyl, such as propargyl or acetylenyl. ln optionally substituted alkenyl or alkinyl, substituents are preferably lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halo, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted aryl, and are connected with a saturated or unsaturated carbon atom of alkenyl or alkinyl.

Heterocyclyl designates preferably a saturated, partially saturated or unsaturated, mono- or bicyclic ring containing 4-10 atoms comprising one, two or three heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, which may, unless otherwise specified, be carbon or nitrogen linked, wherein a ring nitrogen atom may optionally be substituted by a group selected from lower alkyl, amino-lower alkyl, aryl, aryl-lower alkyl and acyl, and a ring carbon atom may be substituted by lower alkyl, amino-lower alkyl, aryl, ower alkyl, heteroaryl, lower , hydroxy or oxo, or which may be fused with an ally substituted benzo ring. Substituents considered for substituted benzo are those mentioned above for optionally substituted aryl. Examples of heterocyclyl are pyrrolidinyl, oxazolidinyl, thiazolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, dioxolanyl, tetrahydro- furanyl and ydropyranyl, and optionally substituted benzo fused derivatives of such monocyclic heterocyclyl, for example indolinyl, benzoxazolidinyl, benzothiazolidinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, and ihydrofuryl.

Acyl designates, for example, alkylcarbonyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl, rbonyl, aryl-lower alkylcarbonyl, or heteroarylcarbonyl. Lower acyl is preferably lower alkylcarbonyl, in particular nyl or acetyl.

Hydroxyalkyl is especially hydroxy-lower alkyl, preferably ymethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or 2-hydroxypropyl.

Cyanoalkyl ates ably cyanomethyl and cyanoethyl. 1919 Haloalkyl is preferably fluoroalkyl, especially trifluoromethyl, 3,3,3-trifluoroethyl or pentafluoroethyl.

Halogen is fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine.

Lower alkoxy is especially methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, or tert-butyloxy.

Arylalkyl includes aryl and alkyl as defined hereinbefore, and is e.g. , 1-phenethyl or 2-phenethyl.

Heteroarylalkyl includes heteroaryl and alkyl as defined hereinbefore, and is e.g. 2-, 3- or 4-pyridylmethyl, 1- or 2-pyrrolylmethyl, 1-pyrazolylmethyl, 1-imidazolylmethyl, 2-(1- imidazolyl)ethyl or 3-(1-imidazolyl)propyl.

In substituted amino, the substituents are preferably those mentioned as substituents hereinbefore. In particular, tuted amino is mino, dialkylamino, optionally substituted ino, optionally substituted arylalkylamino, lower alkylcarbonylamino, benzoylamino, pyridylcarbonylamino, lower alkoxycarbonylamino or ally substituted aminocarbonylamino.

Particular salts considered are those replacing the hydrogen atoms of the sulfate group and the carboxylic acid function. Suitable s are, e.g., sodium, potassium, m, magnesium or ammonium cations, or also cations derived by protonation from y, secondary or tertiary amines ning, for example, lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl or hydroxy-lower alkoxy-lower alkyl groups, e.g., 2-hydroxyethylammonium, 2-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)ethyldimethylammonium, diethylammonium, di(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium, trimethylammonium, triethylammonium, 2-hydroxyethyldimethylammonium, or di(2- hydroxyethyl)methylammonium, also from correspondingly substituted cyclic secondary and ry amines, e.g., N-methylpyrrolidinium, N-methylpiperidinium, N-methyl- morpholinium, droxyethylpyrrolidinium, Nhydroxyethylpiperidinium, or N hydroxyethylmorpholinium, and the like.

In view of the close relationship between the novel compounds in free form and those in the form of their salts, including those salts that can be used as intermediates, for example in the purification or identification of the novel compounds, any reference to the 2020 free compounds hereinbefore and after is to be understood as referring also to the corresponding salts, and vice versa, as appropriate and expedient. ably Z is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl.

In particular, the invention refers to compounds of formula (I) or (II), wherein Z is optionally substituted phenyl.

Preferred substituents considered for Z with the meaning of the mentioned aryl groups, e.g. phenyl, are lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, amino-lower alkyl, lower alkanecarbonylamino-lower alkyl, mercapto-lower alkane- carbonylamino-lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkinyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopropyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, halo-lower , lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, ysulfonyloxy; to, alkylmercapto, hydroxysulfinyl, alkylsulfinyl, halo-lower alkylsulfinyl, hydroxysulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, ulfonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents ed from lower alkyl, lkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl and optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the en heterocyclyl; amino optionally substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl and di-lower alkylamino-lower alkyl, or by one substituent lkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, ally substituted heteroaryl, alkylcarbonyl, optionally substituted phenylcarbonyl, optionally substituted pyridylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl or aminocarbonyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; carboxymethylamino or lower alkoxycarbonyl- amino substituted at the methyl group such that the resulting substituent corresponds to one of the 20 naturally occurring standard amino acids, aminomethyl- carbonylamino substituted at the methyl group such that the resulting acyl group corresponds to one of the 20 naturally occurring standard amino acids; lower alkylcarbonyl, halo-lower arbonyl, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxycarbonyl; aminocarbonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one hydroxy or amino group or one or two substituents ed from lower alkyl, hydroxy- lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl and optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen cyclyl; cyano, halogen, and nitro; and wherein two 2121 substituents in ortho-position to each other can form a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring containing one or two oxygen atoms and/or one or two nitrogen atoms, n the nitrogen atoms are optionally substituted by lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl or lower alkylcarbonyl.

Particularly preferred Z is p-methoxyphenyl, 4-(2-aminoethyl)phenyl or 4-(2-(4-mercaptobutanoylamino )phenyl. ln polymers comprising a multitude of substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II), a particular linker Z is (bifunctional) aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-lower alkyl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl, wherein aryl or heteroaryl is substituted by —(CH2)2NH(C=O)(CH2)3S- CH2-(C=O)— connecting to the polymer with aminoalkyl side chains at the C=O function.

More ularly linker Z is phenyl substituted by —(CH2)2NH(C=O)(CH2)3S-CH2-(C=O)— connecting to the polymer with aminoalkyl side chains at the C=O function.

A preferred polymer in polymers comprising a multitude of substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II) is polylysine, in particular poly-L-lysine.

Preferably the molecular weight of the polylysine is 1000 to 300'000 kD, preferably 10'000 to 0 kD. Particularly preferred is a molecular weight of approximately 50'000 kD, 125’000 kD or 200000 kD. Most preferred is a lar weight of approximately 50'000 In particular the invention relates to such rs wherein the relative loading of r backbone with the disaccharide of formula (I) and/or (II) is 10 — 80 %, meaning that 10 — 80 % of all lysine side chains in the polymer are coupled/reacted with a linker carrying a disaccharide, the remaining amino functions being capped. Preferably the loading of the polymer is 30 — 60 %, more preferably 40 — 50 %.

In a particular embodiment, the sulfated l HNK-1 epitope 22 carrying a linker with a terminal sulfhydryl on was sized and reacted in a substochiometric amount with the activated (chloroacetylated) lysine r 24. The carbohydrate loading (40%) was determined by 1H NMR. The starting polymer 23 had an e molecular weight (MW) of 50 kD, whereas the final polymer (25) with 40% minimal HNK-1 epitope loading had a calculated average MW of 123 kD. 2222 The synthesized ydrate monomers (1 and 2) and the polymer 25 were tested in an established ELISA assay (Biihlmann tories, Schonenbuch, Switzerland) applied for the diagnosis of anti-MAG neuropathy and for therapy control in clinic. The assay is used to determine serum concentration of anti-MAG lgM autoantibodies. The assay was modified to a competitive binding assay. The synthesized compounds and serum samples containing anti-MAG lgM antibodies are given into 96 well plates, coated with purified MAG from human brain. Immobilized MAG and the synthesized nds e for binding to the anti-MAG lgM antibodies. After a washing step MAG-bound lgM antibodies are detected with a horseradish peroxidase labeled antibody, followed by a colorimetric reaction. Successful competition of the compounds with MAG leads to a decrease in measured OD450nm (optical y), because they block the binding sites of lgM antibodies, preventing them from binding to MAG. The principle of the assay is depicted in Figure 1. For the evaluation of the compounds, four sera from different patients (MK, DP, KH, SJ) with ed high anti-MAG lgM antibody titers were chosen. lgM dy concentrations were determined for each serum in inary experiments. Serum dilutions with measured OD450nm values around 1.0 were chosen for the assay, to be able to compare the ed |050 values (half maximal inhibitory concentration) which are dy concentration dependent. Serum dilutions: DP 1:2'500, KH 1:3'000, SJ 1:7'500, MK 1:23'000. The two sera that served as negative controls (dilution 1:1000) showed no binding to MAG. |050 values of compound 1 were determined for all sera. Those of compound 2 were determined for serum MK with the highest antibody affinity for 1 and for serum SJ with the lowest dy affinity for 1. The results are shown in the Table below. The assay was repeated four times. From the received binding curves for each serum, the three best fitted were chosen and normalized for |C50 calculation. The binding curves are shown in Figure 2. For curve generation of compound 2 an artificially high concentration point at 500 mM with 0% antibody binding was added because even at the highest concentration of 2 (50 mM) the inhibition of antibody binding was not 100%. The |Cso values for compound 2 are therefore to be considered as approximated values, gh they changed only marginally upon addition of the high concentration point. Under the same assay conditions the carbohydrate polymer was tested with the sera KH, MK and SJ. The measurements were repeated at least three times. The three best fitted curves for each serum were chosen for |050 ation. The non-normalized binding curves are shown in Figure 2. 2323 Table: ICE values of com ounds1 2 and the minimal HNK-1 ol mer 25 for the four patient sera including standard deviations.

Serum Compound 1 Compound 2 Polymer (25) IC50 (uM) IC5O (mM) IC5O (nM) MK 124.2 i 9.5 29.0 i 0.5 2.5 i 0.1 DP 536.1 i 23.5 n.d. n.d.

KH 614.2:20.1 n.d. 18.3:22 SJ 793.1 i 24.0 10.0 i 1.0 14.8 i 0.6 The data from the biological evaluation of 1 and 2 clearly show different ties of the lgM antibodies of each serum to the synthesized disaccharides. Disaccharide 1 shows a superior binding affinity s the lgM antibodies when compared to disaccharide 2, which lacks the sulfate moiety. The sulfate group seems to be essential to the synthesized minimal HNK-1 epitope for antibody g. Nevertheless, it is not y important for all sera. Serum MK showed high requirement for the sulfate with an imately 230- fold weaker binding to the unsulfated disaccharide. Serum SJ on the other hand showed only 12.6-fold lower binding affinity to the unsulfated disaccharide. The carboxyl group of 6ch seems to be more ant to this serum.

For all lgM antibodies, the sulfate moiety is required for binding in the uM range. It is surprising that the sulfated minimal HNK-1 epitope is capable of inhibiting the antibody binding to MAG in the uM concentration range. This ts the possibility that the terminal aromatic moiety of the disaccharide is involved in binding, as if mimicking the third sugar (GlcNAc) of the HNK-1 epitope. The ic ring could undergo cation-Tr interaction or 'lT-‘lT stacking.

The causal relationship between anti-MAG autoantibodies and neuropathy development in AG neuropathy patients is widely accepted today (MC. Dalakas, Current Treatment Options in Neurology 2010, 12:71—83). The antigenic determinant for these antibodies is the HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope, the trisaccharide 804Gch(B1-3)Gal(B1-4)GlcNAc-OH which is also ized by the HNK-1 antibody. 2424 According to the t invention it is shown that carbohydrate ligands blocking the lgM antibody binding sites prevent the dy binding to MAG and other myelin targets.

It is shown that disaccharide s of formula (I) and (II), minimal HNK-1 carbohydrate epitopes, which are much easier to prepare than larger carbohydrates, retain affinity to the lgM antibodies, and are useful for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Compounds related to substance 1 and 2 are known in the state of the art, but not such compounds containing arylic aglycons. Aromatic residues Z take part in the binding process to the anti-MAG lgM antibodies and therefore bestow a ntial benefit on compounds such as (I) and/or (II) with arylic aglycons.

In the case of the sulfated structure (I) an ethylamine substituted tive of a pentasaccharide is published (A.V. Kornilov, Carbohydrate Research 2000, 7-730).

In the case of structure (II) the unsubstituted derivative (R = H) and derivatives with common alkyl residues are published. In addition to the presently claimed aryl substitution, such as para-methoxyphenyl, the approach to t this epitope in multiple copies on a suitable polymer is novel.

Natural carbohydrates generally display low binding affinity for their binding partners. In biological systems sufficient affinity is often achieved by multivalent presentation of carbohydrates, as well as oligovalent presentation of carbohydrate recognizing domains (CRDs) of carbohydrate g proteins (B. Ernst and J.L. Magnani, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 2009, 8:661-677). This is also the case for the binding of lgM antibodies to MAG: MAG ts up to eight HNK-1 epitopes on its extracellular domains.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the invention relates to rs comprising a multitude of substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II), wherein the polymer is poly-L- lysine and Z is a bifunctional linker connecting said substituent to the polymer backbone.

Poly-L-lysine is biodegradable and ore suitable for therapeutical application. The exemplified minimal HNK-1 r shows a massive increase in binding affinity toward the pathogenic lgM antibodies. The tory activity, now being in the low nM range, is increased by a factor of at least 34'000 compared to the r (serum KH). The affinity increase obtained for serum MK and SJ was approximately 50'000 (see Table 2525 above). These findings clearly indicate the multivalent nature of the antigen-antibody ction.

The exemplified minimal HNK-1 polymer serves as substitute antigen for purified human brain MAG currently used in a diagnostic ELISA assay for the detection of anti-MAG IgM antibodies.

The compounds of the invention have valuable cological properties. The ion also relates to compounds as defined hereinbefore for use as medicaments. A compound according to the invention shows prophylactic and therapeutic cy especially against anti-MAG neuropathy.

A compound of formula (I) or (II), or polymers comprising these, can be administered alone or in combination with one or more other therapeutic agents, possible combination therapy taking the form of fixed combinations, or the stration of a compound of the invention and one or more other therapeutic agents being staggered or given independently of one another, or the combined administration of fixed combinations and one or more other therapeutic agents.

Therapeutic agents for possible combination are especially immunosuppressive agents.

Examples are purine analogues such as fludarabine and/or cladribine, furthermore the chimeric monoclonal antibody rituximab (A.J. Steck et al., Current Opinion in Neurology 2006, 19:458—463).

In another particular ment, the invention relates to the use of the compounds of the invention in a diagnostic assay for anti-MAG neuropathy. In ular, the invention s to kits comprising the compounds of formula (I) or (II) as defined above, and also polymers of the invention comprising such compounds as substituents.

The present invention relates to a method of diagnosis of AG neuropathy, wherein the level of lgM against MAG is determined in a body fluid sample, e.g. serum, and a high level is indicative of the development and the severity of anti-MAG athy.

Other body fluids than serum useful for ination of IgM against MAG are, e.g., whole blood, cerebrospinal fluid or extracts from solid tissue. 2626 Any known method may be used for the determination of the level of lgM against MAG in body fluids. Methods considered are, e.g., ELISA, RIA, EIA, or microarray analysis.

A preferred method for the determination of lgM against MAG in human body fluids, e.g. in serum, is an ELISA. In such an embodiment, microtiter plates are coated with compounds of formula (I) or (II), or preferably polymers of the invention comprising such compounds as tuents. The plates are then blocked and the sample or a standard solution is loaded. After incubation, an anti-lgM antibody is applied, e.g. an anti-lgM antibody directly conjugated with a suitable label, e.g. with an enzyme for chromogenic detection.

Alternatively, a polyclonal rabbit (or mouse) anti-lgM antibody is added. A second antibody detecting the particular type of the anti-lgM antibody, e.g. an anti-rabbit (or anti- mouse) antibody, conjugated with a suitable label, e.g. the enzyme for chromogenic detection as above, is then added. Finally the plate is developed with a substrate for the label in order to detect and quantify the label, being a e for the ce and amount of lgM against MAG. If the label is an enzyme for genic detection, the substrate is a colour-generating substrate of the conjugated enzyme. The colour reaction is then detected in a microplate reader and compared to standards.

It is also possible to use antibody fragments. Suitable labels are chromogenic , i.e. enzymes which can be used to convert a substrate to a detectable colored or fluorescent compound, spectroscopic labels, e.g. scent labels or labels presenting a visible color, ty labels which may be developed by a further compound specific for the label and allowing easy ion and quantification, or any other label used in standard ELISA.

Other preferred methods of lgM against MAG detection are radioimmunoassay or competitive immunoassay and chemiluminescence detection on automated commercial analytical robots. Microparticle enhanced fluorescence, fluorescence polarized methodologies, or mass spectrometry may also be used. ion devices, e.g. microarrays, are useful components as readout systems for lgM against MAG.

In a further embodiment the ion relates to a kit suitable for an assay as described above, in particular an ELISA, comprising compounds of formula (I) or (II), or polymers comprising such compounds as substituents. The kits further n anti-lgM dies (or anti-lgM antibody nts) carrying a le label, or anti-lgM antibodies and second antibodies ng such a suitable label, and reagents or equipment to detect the label, e.g. reagents reacting with enzymes used as labels and indicating the presence of 2727 such a label by a colourformation or fluorescence, rd equipment, such as microtiter plates, pipettes and the like, standard solutions and wash ons.

The ELISA can be also designed in a way that patient blood or serum samples are used for the coating of microtiter plates with the subsequent detection of anti-MAG antibodies with ed compounds of formula (I) or (II), or labelled polymers comprising such compounds as substituents. The label is either directly detectable or indirectly detectable via an antibody.

The polymer carrying compounds of formula (I) or (II) of the invention binds to the pathogenic anti-MAG lgM antibodies and potentially downregulates the anti-MAG lgM antibody production. It allows an antigen-specific treatment for anti-MAG neuropathy patients.

Furthermore the ion s to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) or (II), or a polymer carrying compounds of formula (I) or (II) of the invention.

Pharmaceutical compositions for eral administration, such as subcutaneous, intravenous, epatic or intramuscular administration, to warm-blooded animals, especially humans, are considered. The compositions comprise the active ingredient(s) alone or, preferably, together with a ceutically acceptable r. The dosage of the active ient(s) depends upon the age, , and individual condition of the patient, the individual pharmacokinetic data, and the mode of administration.

For parenteral administration preference is given to the use of suspensions or dispersions of the carbohydrate polymer of the invention, especially isotonic s dispersions or suspensions which, for example, can be made up shortly before use. The pharmaceutical compositions may be sterilized and/or may comprise ents, for example preservatives, stabilizers, wetting agents and/or emulsifiers, solubilizers, ity- increasing agents, salts for regulating osmotic pressure and/or buffers and are prepared in a manner known per se, for example by means of conventional dissolving and lyophilizing processes.

Suitable carriers for enteral administration, such as nasal, buccal, rectal or oral administration, are especially fillers, such as sugars, for example lactose, saccharose, 2828 ol or sorbitol, cellulose preparations, and/or calcium phosphates, for example tricalcium phosphate or calcium en phosphate, and also s, such as starches, for example corn, wheat, rice or potato starch, methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone, and/or, if desired, disintegrators, such as the above-mentioned starches, also carboxymethyl starch, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, alginic acid or a salt thereof, such as sodium alginate. Additional excipients are especially flow conditioners and lubricants, for example silicic acid, talc, stearic acid or salts thereof, such as magnesium or calcium stearate, and/or polyethylene , or tives thereof.

Tablet cores can be provided with suitable, ally enteric, coatings through the use of, inter alia, concentrated sugar solutions which may comprise gum arabic, talc, polyvinyl- pyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol and/or titanium dioxide, or coating solutions in suitable c solvents or solvent mixtures, or, for the preparation of enteric coatings, solutions of suitable cellulose preparations, such as acetylcellulose phthalate or ypropyl- methylcellulose ate. Dyes or pigments may be added to the tablets or tablet coatings, for e for identification purposes or to indicate different doses of active ingredient(s).

Pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration also include hard capsules consisting of gelatin, and also soft, sealed capsules consisting of gelatin and a plasticizer, such as glycerol or sorbitol. The hard capsules may contain the active ingredient in the form of granules, for example in admixture with s, such as corn starch, binders, and/or glidants, such as talc or magnesium stearate, and optionally stabilizers. ln soft capsules, the active ingredient is preferably dissolved or suspended in suitable liquid excipients, such as fatty oils, paraffin oil or liquid polyethylene glycols or fatty acid esters of ethylene or ene glycol, to which izers and ents, for example of the polyoxy- ethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester type, may also be added.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for rectal administration are, for example, suppositories that consist of a combination of the active ingredient and a suppository base. Suitable suppository bases are, for example, natural or synthetic triglycerides, paraffin hydrocarbons, polyethylene glycols or higher ls.

The mentioned pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention may contain separate tablets, granules or other forms of orally acceptable formulation of the active ingredients, or may contain a mixture of active ingredients in one suitable pharmaceutical dosage form, as described above. In particular the te orally able formulations or the mixture in one suitable pharmaceutical dosage form may be slow release and controlled release pharmaceutical compositions.

The ceutical compositions comprise from approximately 1% to approximately 95% active ingredient or mixture of active ingredients, single-dose administration forms sing in the preferred ment from imately 20% to approximately 90% active ingredient(s) and forms that are not of single-dose type comprising in the preferred embodiment from approximately 5% to approximately 20% active ingredient(s).

The invention also relates to the mentioned pharmaceutical compositions as medicaments in the treatment of anti-MAG neuropathy.

The present invention relates furthermore to a method of treatment of anti-MAG neuropathy, which comprises administering a composition according to the invention in a quantity effective against said disease, to a warm-blooded animal requiring such treatment. The pharmaceutical compositions can be administered prophylactically or therapeutically, preferably in an amount effective against the said diseases, to a warm-blooded animal, for example a human, requiring such treatment. In the case of an individual having a bodyweight of about 70 kg the daily dose stered is from approximately 0.01 g to imately 5 g, preferably from approximately 0.25 g to approximately 1.5 g, of the active ingredients in a composition of the present invention.

The following es serve to illustrate the invention t limiting the ion in its scope.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires ise due to express language or ary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features integers, steps, components or groups thereof in various embodiments of the invention. 17340905_1 (GHMatters) P42121NZ00 3030 Examples General Methods NMR spectra were obtained on a Bruker Avance 0 (500 MHz) spectrometer.

Assignment of 1H and 13C NMR spectra was achieved using 2D methods (COSY and HSQC). Chemical shifts are expressed in ppm using residual CHCI3, CHDZOD or HDO as references. l ons were measured on a Perkin-Elmer polarimeter 341. IR spectra were recorded using a -Elmer Spectrum One FT-lR spectrometer. Electron spray ionization mass spectra (ESl-MS) were obtained on a Waters micromass ZQ.

HRMS analysis was carried using an Agilent 1100 LC equipped with a photodiode array detector and a Micromass QTOF | equipped with a 4 GHz digital-time converter.

Reactions were monitored by TLC using glass plates coated with silica gel 60 F254 (Merck) and visualized by using UV light and/or by ng with mostain (a 0.02 M solution of ammonium cerium sulfate dihydrate and ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate in aq 10% H2804). Column chromatography was med on silica gel (Fluka C60 40/60) or RP-18 (Merck LiChroprep® RP-18 40/60). Methanol (MeOH) was dried by refluxing with sodium methoxide and distillation. Pyridine was dried over activated molecular sieves (4 A).

Dimethylformamide (DMF) was purchased from Acros (99.8%, extra dry, over molecular sieves). Dichloromethane (DCM), toluene and hexane were dried by filtration over A|203 (Fluka, type 5016A basic). Molecular sieves (4 A) were activated in vacuo at 500°C for 1 h immediately before use. Centrifugations were carried out with an Eppendorf Centrifuge 5804 R. rt = room temperature.

The three compounds for the ical tion (1, 2 and 25) were synthesized according to Scheme 1 and 2. All reagents were bought from Sigma Aldrich or Acros. The Gch-Gal disaccharides 5 were obtained by reacting the activated 6ch donor 3 (C.

Coutant and J.-C. Jacquinet, J Chem Soc Perkin Trans l, 1995, 1573-1581) and the ively protected Gal acceptor 4 (F. Belot et al., Synlett 2003, 1315-1318) with trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) as promoter. Deprotection of the ester groups with LiOH in tetrahydrofuran (THF)/water (H20) yielded 6. Disaccharides 2 were obtained by tic enation. The 3’-unprotected disaccharides 7 were sized via a lactonization/methanolysis procedure published by A.V. Kornilov (Carbohydrate Research 2000, 329:717-730). Subsequent sulfation with the sulfate-pyridine complex (SOs-Py) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) gave 3-O-sulfated disaccharide 8 (65%). Final 3131 ection by catalytic hydrogenation followed by hydrolysis and treatment with Na+ cation-exchange resin afforded the desired sulfated disaccharides 1.

For the synthesis of the carbohydrate polymer 25, the sulfated monomer 21 was prepared (Scheme 1). It contains a 4-(2-aminoethyl)phenyl aglycone instead of para-methoxyphenyl present in 1. The additional primary amino group was required for the coupling to the sine polymer. For its synthesis, 4-(2-azidoethyl)phenol (9) was galactosylated with the trichloroacetimidate donor 10 (R. Burkowski et al., Eur J Org Chem 2001, 2697-2705).

Acceptor 9 was obtained by amine-azide interconversion (A. Titz et al., Tet. Letters 2006, 47:2383-2385) from tyrosine. Deacetylation under Zempen conditions (giving 12), followed by the formation of the 3,4-isopropylidene derivative 13, ylation (results in 14), acid- zed ge of the ide (gives 15) and enzoylation d galactoside 16. For the remaining steps to the monosulfated haride 21 a similar reaction sequence as already applied for the synthesis of disaccharide 1 was applied, except for the benzylation which was carried out under phase transfer catalysis using 50% aqueous NaOH/DCM and 18—crown-6 ether. The free amino group in 21 was then reacted with thiobutyrolactone and triethylamine (TEA) in DMF to give compound 22 in 59% yield, ready for coupling to the polylysine polymer.

For this purpose, the commercial polylysine polymer 23 was acylated, giving 24 in 96% yield (G. Thoma et al., J Am Chem Soc 1999, 121 :5919-5929) before it was coupled to a substochiometric amount of the minimal HNK-1 epitope 22 (0.4 eq). To improve the water solubility of the glycosylated polylysine polymer, the remaining acetamide groups were capped with an excess of thioglycerol. Purification by ultrafiltration (Sartorius Stedim Vivaspin 6, molecular weight cutoff, 5000) yielded glycopolymer 25 in 70% yield. 3232 Scheme 1: S nthesis of the minimal HNK-1 e ito e in sulfated 1 and unsulfated form 2 BZO OBn 320 OBn COOMe O a) HO OR ———a- [£0320m 4, R = p-MeOPh 5, R = p-MeOPh CCI3 COOH COONa 13910 0%0R"0 o 0 ———§- Ham OH OBn 6, R = p-MeOPh 2, R =OHOHp-MeOPh COOMe A00 COOMe AdDOwg%,oOR e) —. /ACOW 7, R =Op-MeOPh 8, R = h COONa N3038m/How 1, R = p-MeOPh Reagents and ions: a) TMSOTf, molecular sieves 4 A, DCM, 0°C to rt, (81%) b) LiOH, THF/HZO (97%); c) Pd(OH)2/C, H2, MeOH/HZO (96%); d)Ac20, 80°C, pyr, DMAP; MeOH, anhyd AcONa (57%); e) SOs-Py, DMF (65%); f) Pd(OH)2/C, H2, MeOH/HZO, LiOH, MeOH/H20 (88%). 4-Methox hen | meth I234-tri-O-benzo |- -D- |uco ranuronate - 1—>3 O-benzo |- 2 6-di-O-benz |- -D- alacto ranoside 5 .

Under argon 3 (1.12 g, 1.68 mmol), 4a (800 mg, 1.40 mmol) and activated 4 A molecular sieves (1.2 g) were suspended in DCM (30 mL). The mixture was stirred for 1 h at rt and 3333 then cooled to 0 °C. TMSOTf (38.1 uL, 0.21 mmol) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to rt overnight, and was then neutralized with TEA (100 uL) and concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography leum ether/EtOAc, 9:1 to 7:3) to yield 5 (1.21 g, 1.13 mmol, 81%) as a white solid. [0L]D20 +28.4 (c 1.01, CHCI3); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCI3): 6 3.59 (dd, J = 7.2, 10.1 Hz, 1H, H-6a), 3.65 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.69 (dd, J = 4.8, 10.1 Hz, 1H, H-6b), 3.74 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.93 (dd, J: 7.8, 9.5 Hz, 1H, H-2), 3.96 (dd, J = 5.1, 6.9 Hz, 1H, H-5), 4.12 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1H, H-5’), 4.20 (dd, J = 3.5, 9.6 Hz, 1H, H-3), 4.46 (A, B of AB, J: 11.5 Hz, 2H, , 4.51, 4.90 (A, B of AB, J: 10.5 Hz, 2H, CH2Ph), 4.94 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H, H-1), 5.36 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H, H-1’), 5.44 (dd, J: 7.5, 9.2 Hz, 1H, H-2’), 5.66 (t, J = 9.6 Hz, 1H, H-4), .79 (m, 2H, H-3’, H-4’), 6.76, 7.00 (AA’, BB’ of AA’BB’, J = 9.1 Hz, 4H, C6H4), 7.19-7.44, 7.47- 7.51, 7.54-7.61, 7.75-7.78, .91, 8.03-8.08 (m, 30H, 6 C6H5); 13C NMR (126 MHz, CDCI3): 6 52.88, 55.64 (2 OMe), 69.07 (C-6), 70.01 (C-4), 70.05 (C-4’), 71.76 (C-2’), 72.17 (C-3’), 72.90 (C-5’), 73.54 (C-5), 73.72, 75.23 (2 CH2Ph), 76.16 (C-3), 79.86 (C-2), 100.29 (C-1’), 102.73 (C-1), 114.57, 118.19 (4C, C6H4), 127.69, 127.78, 128.00, 128.09, 128.30, 128.37, 128.43, 128.59, 128.71, , 129.05, 129.58, 129.77, 129.82, 129.92, , 132.91, 133.08, 133.27, 133.39, 137.88, 137.90 (36C, 6 C6H5), 151.33, 155.33 (2C, C6H4), 164.45, 165.00, 165.52, 165.63, 167.15 (5 CO); ESl-MS: m/z: calcd for C62H56Na017 [M+Na]+: 1095.35, found: 1095.48. 4-Methox hen l -D- luco ranuronate -1—>3 -2 6-di-O-benz l- -D- alacto ranoside Compound 5 (810 mg, 0.76 mmol) was ded in THF (7 mL) and the sion was cooled to —10°C. Then 2 M aq LiOH (5 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight and allowed to warm to rt. The solvents were evaporated, the residue was taken up in THF/H20 (2:3, 8 mL) and treated with TFA (4 mL) for 30 min. The mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue was purified by reversed-phase chromatography (RP-18, MeOH/water, 0:1 to 2:1) to give 6 (0.47 g, 0.73 mmol, 97%) as a white solid. [81020 —43.2 (c 1.00, MeOH); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CD30D): 5 3.30-3.41 (m, 2H, H-2’, H-3’), 3.49 (t, J = 8.9 Hz, 1H, H-4’), 3.66 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.68 (d, J = 5.9 Hz, 2H, H-6a, H-6b), 3.72 (d, J = 9.7 Hz, 1H, H-5’), 3.76 (d, J = 5.9 Hz, 1H, H-5), 3.79 (dd, J = 3.3, 9.9 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.87 (m, 1H, H-2), 4.00 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.48 (s, 2H, CH2Ph), 4.70 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 3434 1H, H-1’), 4.84 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H, H-1), 4.87 (s, 2H, CH2Ph), 6.73, 6.97 (AA’, BB’ of AA’BB’, J = 9.0 Hz, 4H, C5H4), 7.17-7.28 (m, 8H, 2 C5H5), 7.38 (d, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H, 2 C5H5); 130 NMR (126 MHz, CD30D): 6 56.10 (OMe), 70.37 (0-4), 70.72 (0-6), 73.35 (04’), 74.37 (CH2Ph), 74.85 (02’), 75.00 (0-5), 76.22 (05’), 76.46 ), 77.35 (03), 80.11 (0-2), 82.20 (0-3), 103.87 (0-1), 105.59 (0-1’), 115.58, 119.23 (40, C6H4), 128.66, 128.76, 128.79, 129.31, 129.41, 129.77, 139.76, 139.96 (12C, 2 C5H5), 153.05, 156.67 (2C, C5H4), 173.01 (CO); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C33H38Na013[M+Na]+: , found: 665.23. 4-Methox hen | sodium -D- luco ranuronate-1—>3 - -D- alacto ranoside 2 Compound 6 (205 mg, 0.31 mmol) and Pd(OH)2/C (42 mg, 20%) were suspended in MeOH/HZO (10:1, 5 mL) under argon. The mixture was stirred overnight under an atmosphere of hydrogen (1 atm), then the catalyst was filtered off through a pad of Celite.

The Celite was washed with a MeOH/HZO gradient (6 X 10 mL, 10:0, 8:2, 6:4, 4:6, 2:8, 0:10). The filtrate was concentrated and passed over a Dowex® 50X8 (Na+) ion-exchange column. After tration the residue was purified by reversed-phase chromatography (RP-18, water) followed by P2 size-exclusion chromatography to give 2 (148 mg, 0.31 mmol, 96%) as a white solid. [91620 —40.7 (01.00, H20); 1H NMR (500 MHz, 020): 5 3.43 (t, J = 8.3 Hz, 1H, H-2’), 3.48- 3.56 (m, 2H, H-3’, H-5’), 3.67-3.81 (m, 7H, H-5, H-6, H-4’, OMe), 3.83 (dd, J = 2.9, 9.8 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.90 (dd, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H, H-2), 4.22 (d, J = 2.5 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.68 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H, H-1’), 4.95 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 1H, H-1), 6.94, 7.09 (AA’, BB’ of , J = 9.0 Hz, 4H, C6H4); 130 NMR (126 MHz, 020): 5 55.71 (OMe), 60.70 (0-6), 67.94 (0-4), 69.63 (0-2), 71.73 (03), 73.09 , 75.05 (05’), 75.25 (0-5), 76.18 (04’), 82.37 (0-3), 101.29 (0- 1), 103.61 (0-1’), 114.96, 118.10, 150.84, 154.61 (60, C6H4), 175.92 (00); HRMS: m/z: calcd for C19H26Na013 [M + H]+: 71, found: 485.1276. di-O-benz |- -D- alacto ranoside 7 A solution of 6 (470 mg, 0.73 mmol) in A020 (10 mL) was stirred at 80°C for 90 min and then cooled to rt. Pyridine (6 mL) and DMAP (15 mg) were added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 3 days. The solvents were co-evaporated with toluene (5 X 5 mL). The residue dissolved in DCM (50 mL) and extracted with brine (50 mL) and water (50 mL).

The organic phase was dried over NaZSO4 and filtered through cotton wool. After 3535 evaporation of the solvent the residue was dissolved in dry MeOH (14 mL) and anhydrous NaOAc (90 mg) was added. The mixture was stirred overnight, neutralized with Amberlyste® 15 (W) ion-exchange resin and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue purified by flash chromatography (petroleum ether/EtOAc, 2:1 to 1:1) to yield 7 (334 mg, 0.43 mmol, 57%) as a yellowish solid. [611020 +343 (01.00, CHCI3); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCI3): 6 1.92, 2.01, 2.04 (3s, 9H, 3 OAc), 3.48 (dd, J = 7.1,10.1 HZ, 1H, H-6a), 3.55 (dd, J = 48,101 Hz, 1H, H-6b), 3.60 (m, 1H, H-3’), 3.66, 3.69 (2s, 6H, 2 OMe), 3.77 (dd, J = 5.4, 7.0 Hz, 1H, H-5), 3.80 (d, J = 9.8 HZ, 1H, H-5’), 3.83 (dd, J: 7.6, 9.7 HZ, 1H, H-2), 3.89 (dd, J: 3.5, 9.7 HZ, 1H, H-3), 4.43 (A, B of AB, J = 11.6 HZ, 2H, CH2Ph), 4.64 (A of AB, J = 11.5 HZ, 1H, CH2Ph), 4.81 (d, J = 7.6 HZ, 1H, H-1), .87 (m, H-1’, H-2’), 4.97 (B of AB, J = 11.5 HZ, 1H, CH2Ph), 5.06 (t, J = 9.5 HZ, 1H, H-4’), 5.36 (d, J = 3.2 HZ, 1H, H-4), 6.72, 6.96 (AA’, BB’ of AA’BB’, J = 9.1 Hz, 4H, C6H4), 7.18-7.31 (m, 10H, 2 C6H5);13C NMR (126 MHz, : 620.72, 20.76, 20.80 (3 COCH3), 52.81, 55.63 (2 OMe), 68.95 (C-6), 69.33 (C-4), 71.87 (C-4’), 72.54 (C-5), 73.04 (C-5’), 73.26 (C-3’), 73.70 (CH2Ph), 73.79 (C-2’), 75.31 (CH2Ph), 77.24 (c-3), 79.26 (02), 100.15 (01’), 102.65 (01), 114.56, 118.24 (4c, C6H4), 127.76, 127.83, , 128.04, 128.41, 128.53, 137.87, 138.00 (12C, 2 C5H5), , 155.35 (2C, C5H4), 167.46, 170.15, 170.36, 170.38 (4 CO); ESI-MS: m/Z: calcd for C40H45NaO16 [M+Na]+: 805.28, found: 805.34. 4-Methox hen l meth l24-di-O-acet lO-sulfo- -D- luco nate -1—>3 O- acetyl-2,6-di-O-benzyl-[i-D-galactopyranoside, sodium salt (8) Compound 7 (334 mg, 0.43 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (5 mL) and SOs-Py (370 mg, 2.34 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred for 2 h at rt, then the reaction was ed by ng with NaHC03 (320 mg, 3.77 mmol) for 2 h. The solid was filtered off and the filter was washed with MeOH. The filtrate was passed over a Dowex® 50X8 (Na+) ion-exchange column, concentrated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (DCM/MeOH, 1:0 to 9:1) to give 8 (237 mg, 0.28 mmol, 65%) as a yellowish solid. During tration after the flash chromatography a few drops of 0.1 M aq NaOH were added. [011020 —10.4 (01.01, MeOH);1H NMR (500 MHz, CD30D): 61.89, 2.03, 2.06 (3s, 9H, 3 OAc), 3.48 (dd, J = 7.4, 10.4 Hz, 1H, H-6a), 3.59 (dd, J = 4.4, 10.5 Hz, 1H, H-6b), 3.69, 3.72 (2s, 6H, 2 OMe), 3.77 (dd, J = 7.8, 9.6 Hz, 1H, H-2), 3.98 (dd, J = 4.5, 7.4 Hz, 1H, H- ), 4.03 (m, 1H, H-3), 4.05 (d, J = 10.2 Hz, 1H, H-5’), 4.46, 4.49 (A, B of AB, J =11.6 Hz, 3636 2H, CH2Ph), 4.60 (t, J = 9.3 Hz, 1H, H-3’), 4.73, 4.92 (A, B of AB, J = 11.8 Hz, 2H, CH2Ph), 4.94 (d, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H, H-2’), 4.96 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 1H, H-1’), 4.99 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H, H-1), 5.06 (m, 1H, H-4’), 5.40 (d, J = 3.6 Hz, 1H, H-4), 6.77, 7.00 (AA’, BB’ of AA’BB’, J = 9.1 Hz, 4H, C6H4), 7.23-7.35 (m, 8H, 2 C6H5), 7.39 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, 2 C6H5); 130 NMR (126 MHz, 00300): , 19.23, 19.64 (3 000H3), 51.68, 54.52 (2 OMe), 68.73 (0-6), 69.50 (0-4), 69.80 (0-4’), 71.36 (02’), 71.91 (05’), 72.52 (0-5), 72.83, 74.69 (2 CH2Ph), 77.50 (03), 78.57 (0-3), 78.59 (0-2), 100.04 (0-1), 102.01 (0-1’), 114.03, 117.64 (40, C6H4), 127.14, 127.23, 127.36, 127.57, 127.81, 127.89, 138.02, 138.23 (120, 2 C6H5), 151.29, 155.26 (20, C6H4), 167.77, 170.07, 170.17, 170.64 (4 00); ESl-MS: m/z: calcd for 0198 [M]+: 862.24, found: 862.42. 4-Methox hen l disodiumO-sulfo- -D- luco ranuronate -1—>3 - -D- alacto- side (1) Compound 8 (237 mg, 0.28 mmol) and Pd(OH)2/C (48 mg, 20%) were suspended in MeOH/HZO (10:1, 5 mL) under argon. The reaction mixture was stirred for 9 h under an atmosphere of hydrogen (1 atm). The catalyst was filtered off h a pad of Celite and the pad was washed with a MeOH/HZO gradient (6 X 10 mL, 10:0, 8:2, 6:4, 4:6, 2:8, 0:10).

The filtrate was concentrated and the residue was dissolved in MeOH/HZO (1:1, 8 mL).

Then 1 M aq LiOH (6.5 mL) was added at —10°C and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to rt over 3 h, neutralized with Amberlyste® 15 (W) ion-exchange resin, filtered and concentrated. The residue was purified by reversed-phase chromatography (RP-18, water) and passed over a Dowex® 50X8 (Na+) ion-exchange column. Final cation by P2 size-exclusion chromatography yielded 1 (142 mg, 0.24 mmol, 88%) as a solid. 0 —19.2 (01.00, H20); 1H NMR (500 MHz, D20): 63.63 (dd, J = 8.0, 9.2 Hz, 1H, H-2’), 3.73 (m, 1H, H-4’), 3.75-3.81 (m, 6H, H-5, H-6, OMe), 3.85 (d, J = 10.0 Hz, 1H, H-5’), 3.89 (dd, J: 3.2, 9.9 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.94 (dd, J = 7.7, 9.8 Hz, 1H, H-2), 4.24 (d, J = 3.1 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.40 (t, J: 9.2 Hz, 1H, H-3’), 4.81 (d, J: 7.9 Hz, 1H, H-1’), 4.97 (d, J = 7.7 Hz,1H, H-1), 6.96, 7.11 (AA’, BB’ of , J = 9.2 Hz,4H,C6H4);13C NMR (126 MHz, D20): 6 55.82 (OMe), 60.62 (C-6), 67.95 (C-4), 69.55 (C-2), 70.42 (C-4’), 71.86 (C-2’), 74.92 (C- ), 75.82 (C-5’), 82.49 (C-3), 83.30 (C-3’), 101.43 (C-1), 103.17 (C-1’), 115.02, , 150.89, 154.59 (6C, C5H4), 175.48 (CO); HRMS: m/z: calcd for C19H25Na20158 [M + H]+: 587.0659, found: 587.0665. 3737 Scheme 2:8 s of the minimal HNK-1 ol mer 25 OAC 0A0 AcO mgmN A00 ES :0 3 9 b,c) AcO —> A00 AcOO a) 0A0 11 CCI3 Me Me [we/k0 OH OBn —> O OH m OBn 13 14 HO OBn 820 OBn HO \[:::l\v/A\ N HO O OB" OB" m 3 N 16 COOMe 820 O o NH BZO OBn 3 Y COOMe CCI3 O 1320 820 0 O g) 082 OB" \©\/\ AGO OBn COOMe —’. 0 h,i A00 Ho 0 O 0A0 OB" \©\/\ 3838 COOMe —> mom 3 COONa —> NaO3SOHow \©\/\NH 21 2 & COONa S —) N8038m/HOm/ SH minHNK-1—(CH2)2 xn (1-X)n Reagents and conditions: a) TMSOTf, molecular sieves 4 A, DCM, 0°C to rt (53%); b) MeOH, NaOMe, rt, overnight (gives 12, 95%); c) 2,2-dimethoxypropane, p-TsOH (Ts: 3939 toluylsulfonyl), DMF, rt, overnight (75%); d) Crown ether wn-5, BnBr, 50% aq NaOH, DCM, overnight, 60 0C (83%); e) AcOH, H20, 60°C, overnight (quant.); f) hyl- orthobenzoate, p-TsOH, toluene, 45°C, overnight; AcOH, H20, 60°C, 2 h (93%); g) TMSOTf, molecular sieves 4 A, DCM, 0°C to rt, 86%; h) LiOH in THF/HZO (89%); i) Ac20, DMAP, pyr; MeOH, NaOAc MeOH (gives 18, 73%); j) SOs-Py, DMF (91%); k) LiOH, O; Pd(OH)2/C, H2, MeOH/HZO (78%); l) dithiotreitol, thiobutyrolactone, TEA, DMF, 85°C (59%); m) chloroacetic anhydride, tidine, DMF (96%); n) DMF, H20, DBU; thioglycerol, TEA; ultracentrifugation (70%). 4- 2-Azidoeth l henol 9 Tyramine (3.43 g, 25.0 mmol), NaHC03 (7.80 g, 92.8 mmol) and CuSO4-5H20 (0.22 g, 0.9 mmol) were dissolved in water (30 mL). Triflic azide stock solution (40 mL), which was prepared according to Titz A. et al., edron Letters 47:2383-2385 , and MeOH (190 mL) were added to give a homogeneous mixture. The mixture was stirred at rt overnight, then diluted with water (150 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (3 X 150 mL). The organic layer was dried over NaZSO4 and the solvents were evaporated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (petroleum ether/EtOAc, 1:0 to 4:1) to yield 9 (quant.) as colorless oil. 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCI3): 6 2.81 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2N3), 3.44 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2N3), 6.77, 7.07 (AA’, BB’ of AA’BB’, J = 8.5 Hz, 4H, C6H4); 13c NMR (126 MHz, CDCI3): 6 34.50 (CH2CH2N3), 52.72 (CH2CH2N3), 115.53, , 130.22, 154.39 (6C, C6H4); IR (film): 2105 cm'1 (N3). 4- 2-Azidoeth l hen I2 34 6-tetra-O-acet l- -D- alacto ranoside 11 To an ice-cooled suspension of 10 (8.30 g, 17.5 mmol) (Bukowski R eta/., European Journal of Organic Chemistry 2001 :2697-2705) and 4 A molecular sieves (3 g) in DCM (40 mL) was added 9 (4.00 g, 24.5 mmol) in DCM (40 mL) under argon. TfOH (0.45 mL, 2.5 mmol) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to rt overnight. After quenching with TEA (0.8 mL) the suspension was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated. The e was purified by flash chromatography (petroleum ether/EtOAc, 9:1 to 3:2) to yield 11 (4.58 g, 9.28 mmol, 53%) as oil. 404O [oc]D20 +6.1 (01.10, CHCI3); 1H NMR (500 MHz, : 6 1.98, 2.02, 2.06, 2.15 (4s, 12H, 4 0A0), 2.82 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2N3), 3.45 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2N3), 4.02 (t, J = 6.6 Hz, 1H, H-5), 4.13 (dd, J: 63,113 Hz, 1H, H-6a), 4.20 (dd, J: 69112 Hz,1H, H-6b), 4.99 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H, H-1), 5.08 (dd, J = 3.4, 10.5 Hz, 1H, H-3), 5.40-5.48 (m, 2H, H-2, H-4), 6.93, 7.12 (AA’, BB’ of , J: 8.6 Hz, 4H, C6H4); 13C NMR (126 MHz, CDCI3): 6 20.58, 20.65, 20.65, 20.73 (4 COCH3), 34.52 (CH2CH2N3), 52.51 (CH2CH2N3), 61.36 (C-6), 66.89 (C-4), 68.67 (C-2), 70.85 (C-3), 71.01 (C-5), 99.78 (C-1), 117.19, 129.87, 133.01, 155.85 (6C, C6H4), 169.40, 170.13, 170.26, 170.36 (4 CO); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C22H27N3Na010 [M+Na]+: 516.17, found: 516.19; IR (film): 2101 cm1 (N3). 4- 2-Azidoeth | hen | -D- a|a0to ranoside 12 A solution of 11 (4.58 g, 9.28 mmol) in MeOH (45 mL) was treated with 1 M NaOMe/MeOH (4.5 mL) under argon overnight. After neutralization with Amberlite® |R-120 (H+) ion-exchange resin, the solvent was ated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (DCM/MeOH, 1:0 to 4:1) to give 12 , 8.79 mmol, 95%) as an oil. [61020 —38.1 (01.00, MeOH);1H NMR (500 MHz, 00300): 62.85 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2N3), 3.49 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2N3), 3.60 (dd, J = 3.4, 9.7 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.70 (m, 1H, H-5), 3.75-3.85 (m, 3H, H-2, H-6), 3.93 (d, J = 3.2 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.86 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H, H-1), 7.09, 7.20 (AA’, BB’ of AA’BB’, J: 8.6 Hz, 4H, C6H4); 130 NMR (126 MHz, CD30D): 6 35.49 (CH2CH2N3), 53.75 (CH2CH2N3), 62.44 (06), 70.25 (04), 72.34 (02), 74.89 (0-3), 76.96 (0-5), 103.11 (0-1), 118.00, 130.82, 133.65, 158.08 (60, C5H4); ESI- MS: m/z: calcd for C14H19N3NaOG[M+Na]+: , found: 348.04; IR (film): 2112 cm1 (N3). 4- 2-Azidoeth | hen |34-iso ro |idene- -D- alacto ranoside 13 To a solution of 12 (2.86 g, 8.79 mmol) in DMF (30 mL) were added 2,2-dimethoxy- e (2.50 mL, 19.3 mmol) and p-TsOH (37 mg) under argon. After stirring overnight at 80°C, the on mixture was neutralized with TEA (0.5 mL) and the solvents were evaporated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (petroleum ether + 0.5% TEA/EtOAc, 1:2 to 0:1) to yield 13 (2.39 g, 6.55 mmol, 75%) as an oil. 4141 [011,30 —22.4 (01.10, ; 1H NMR (500 MHz, coc13): 61.34, 1.53 (2s, 6H, Me2C), 2.42 (s, 2H, 2 OH), 2.81 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2N3), 3.44 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2N3), 3.78-3.85 (m, 2H, H-2, H-6a), 3.93-4.00 (m, 2H, H-6b, H-5), 4.14-4.21 (m, 2H, H-3, H-4), 4.78 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H, H-1), 8.95, 7.12 (AA’, BB’ of AA’BB’, J = 8.5 Hz, 4H, C6H4); 13c NMR (128 MHz, coc13): 6 28.33, 28.10 (C(CH3)2), 34.54 (CH2CH2N3), 52.53 (CH2CH2N3), 62.29 (C-6), 73.31 (c-2), 73.69 (c-5), 73.87 (c-4), 78.89 (03), 100.33 (01), 110.69 (C(CH3)2), 116.89, , 132.63, 155.78 (6C, C6H4); ESl-MS: m/z: calcd for C17H23N3Na06 [M+Na]+: , found: 388.06; IR (film): 2099 cm:1 (N3). 4- 2-Azidoeth | hen l26-di-O-benz l-3 4-iso ro lidene- -D- alacto ranoside 14 Compound 13 (1.02 g, 2.78 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (15 mL). 15-Crown-5 (55 pL, 0.28 mmol), 50% aq NaOH (37.5 mL) and benzylbromide (3.30 mL, 27.8 mmol) were added and the biphasic mixture was stirred overnight under reflux at 60°C. The reaction mixture was neutralized with 4 M aq HCl. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous phase extracted with DCM (2 X 50 mL) and. The combined organic layers were concentrated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (petroleum ether + 0.5% TEA/EtOAc, 1:0 to 3:1) to give 14 (1.26 g, 2.31 mmol, 83%) as a white solid. [0(]D20 +8.4 (0 1.00, CHCI3); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCI3): 61.28, 1.34 (2s, 6H, Me2C), 2.76 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2N3), 3.37 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2N3), 3.60 (dd, J = 6.8, 7.9 Hz, 1H, H-2), 3.69-3.80 (m, 2H, H-6), 3.97 (ddd, J: 1.8, 4.7, 6.8 Hz, 1H, H-5), 4.13 (dd, J = 2.0, 5.7 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.18 (m, 1H, H-3), 4.46, 4.54 (A, B of AB, J: 11.8 Hz, 2H, CH2Ph), 4.78-4.85 (m, 3H, CH2Ph, H-1), 6.69, 7.03 (AA’, BB’ of AA’BB’, J = 8.6 Hz, 4H, C6H4), 7.15-7.28 (m, 8H, 2 C6H5), 7.34 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H, 2 C6H5);13C NMR (126 MHz, CDCI3): 6 26.41, 27.81 (C(CH3)2), 34.62 (CH2CH2N3), 52.62 (CHZCH2N3), 69.60 (C-6), 72.72 (C-5), 73.67 (C-4), 73.69 (2C, 2 CH2Ph), 79.08 (C-3), 79.26 (C-2), 101.09 (C-1), 110.27 (C(CH3)2), 117.23 (2C, C6H4), 127.63, 127.69, 127.72, 128.26, 128.32, 128.40 (8C, 2 C6H5), 129.80 (2C, C6H4), 132.19, 138.14 (2 C6H5), , 156.26 ; ESl-MS: m/z: calcd for C31H35N3NaOG[M+Na]+: 568.25, found: 568.21; IR (KBr): 2096 cm'1 (N3).6 4- 2-Azidoeth | hen | 2 6-di-O-benz l- -D- alacto de 15 A on of 14 (1.26 g, 2.31 mmol) in 90% aq AcOH (50 mL) was d at 60°C stirred overnight. The solvents were ated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (DCM/MeOH, 1:0 to 9:1) to give 15 (1.17 g, 2.31 mmol, quant) as an oil. 4242 [81020 —9.9 (01.10, CHCI3); 1H NMR (500 MHz, 00013): 6 2.76 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2N3), 3.38 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2N3), 3.59 (dd, J = 3.3, 9.5 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.62- 3.76 (m, 4H, H-2, H5, H6), 3.92 (d, J = 3.2 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.48 (s, 2H, CH2Ph), 4.69 (A of AB, J: 11.5 Hz, 1H, CH2Ph), 4.87 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H, H-1), 4.96 (B of AB, J: 11.5 Hz, 1H, CH2Ph), 6.97, 7.05 (AA’, BB’ of AA’BB’, J = 8.5 Hz, 4H, C6H4), 7.15-7.31 (m, 10H, 2 C6H5); 130 NMR (126 MHz, 00013): 6 34.58 (CH2CH2N3), 52.59 (CH2CH2N3), 68.92 (0-4), 69.41 (0-6), 73.20 (0-3), 73.74 (0-5), 73.81, 74.91 (2 CH2Ph), 78.87 (0-2), 101.86 (0-1), 117.19 (20, C6H4), 127.75, 127.83, 128.03, 128.27, 128.47, 128.60 (8C, 2 C6H5), 129.83 (20, C6H4), 132.33, 137.87 (2 C6H5), 138.14, 156.13 (C6H4); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C28H31N3Na06 [M+Na]+: 528.22, found: 528.22; IR (film): 2098 cm'1 (N3). 4- 2-Azidoeth | hen I4-O-benzo |-2 6-di-O-benz |- -D- alacto ranoside 16 To a on of 15 (1.17 g, 2.31 mmol) in toluene (15 mL) were added trimethylortho- benzoate (0.64 mL, 3.72 mmol) and p-TsOH (118 mg, 0.62 mmol). The mixture was stirred at 45°C overnight, then concentrated and the residue dissolved in 90% aq AcOH (15 mL). The solution was stirred for 2 h at 60°C, trated, and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (petroleum ether/EtOAc, 9:1 to 7:3) to yield 16 (1.30 g, 2.14 mmol, 93%) as a colorless oil. [oc]D20 —8.4 (01.00, ; 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCI3): 6 2.83 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H, N3), 3.44 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2N3) 3.60-3.66 (m, 2H, H-6), 3.87 (dd, J = 7.4, 9.6 Hz, 1H, H-2), 3.92 (dd, J = 3.5, 9.6 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.96 (t, J: 6.2 Hz, 1H, H-5), 4.41, 4.48 (A, B of AB, J: 11.7 Hz, 2H, CH2Ph), 4.78 (A of AB, J: 11.2 Hz, 1H, CH2Ph), 4.99- .07 (m, 2H, H-1, CH2Ph), 5.63 (d, J = 2.8 Hz, 1H, H-4), 7.06, 7.12 (AA’, BB’ of AA’BB’, J = 8.5 Hz, 4H, C6H4), 7.18-7.35 (m, 10H, 2 C6H5), 7.43 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 2H, C6H5), 7.56 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 1H, C6H5), 8.04-8.09 (m, 2H, C6H5); 13C NMR (126 MHz, CDCI3): 6 34.62 (CH2CH2N3), 52.63 (CHZCH2N3), 68.61 (C-6), 70.25 (C-4), 72.21 (C-3), 73.28 (C-5), 73.71, 75.13 (2 CH2Ph), 79.15 (C-2), 101.89 (C-1), 117.07 (2C, C6H4), 127.76, , 128.04, 128.29, 128.39, 128.49, 128.58, 129.57 (12C, 3 C6H5), 129.93 (2C, C6H4), 130.10, 132.46, 133.38, 137.79 (6C, 3 C6H5), 138.06, 156.17 , 166.38 (CO); ESl-MS: m/z: calcd for C35H35N3Na07 [M+Na]+: , found: 532.28; IR (film): 2102 cm'1 (N3). 4343 4- 2-Azidoeth l hen l meth l2 34-tri-O-benzo l- -D- luco ranuronate -1—>3 O- benzo l-2 6-di-O-benz l- -D- alacto ranoside 17 Under argon tricholoroacetimidate 3 (1.75 g, 2.63 mmol), 16 (1.30 g, 2.14 mmol) and activated 4 A lar sieves (2 g) were ded in DCM (25 mL). The mixture was stirred for 1 h at rt and then cooled to 0°C. TMSOTf (58.4 uL, 0.32 mmol) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to rt overnight, and was then neutralized with TEA (150 uL) and concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography (petroleum EtOAc, 9:1 to 7:3) to yield 17 (2.04 g, 1.84 mmol, 86%) as a white solid. [0L]D20 +252 (0 1.10, CHCI3); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCI3): 6 2.84 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2N3), 3.46 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2N3), 3.61 (dd, J = 7.3, 10.1 Hz, 1H, H-6a), 3.67 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.72 (dd, J = 47,102 Hz, 1H, H-6b), 3.98 (dd, J: 7.9, 9.5 Hz, 1H, H- 2), 4.02 (dd, J: 5.3, 6.5 Hz, 1H, H-5), 4.15 (d, J: 9.8 Hz, 1H, H-5’), 4.24 (dd, J: 3.4, 9.5 Hz, 1H, H-3), 4.48 (A, B of AB, J = 11.5 Hz, 2H, CH2Ph), 4.55, 4.91 (A, B of AB, J: 10.7 Hz, 2H, CH2Ph), 5.02 (d, J: 7.7 Hz, 1H, H-1), 5.39 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 1H, H-1’), 5.47 (dd, J: 7.4, 9.1 Hz, 1H, H-2’), 5.69 (t, J = 9.5 Hz, 1H, H-4’), 5.77 (t, J = 9.3 Hz, 1H, H-3’), 5.81 (d, J = 3.3 Hz, 1H, H-4), 7.02, 7.10 (AA’, BB’ of AA’BB’, J = 8.7 Hz, 4H, C6H4), 7.22-7.46, 7.48-7.53, 7.56-7.66, 7.76-7.81, 7.88-7.93, 8.05-8.10 (m, 30H, 6 C6H5); 13C NMR (126 MHz, CDCI3): 6 34.60 (CH2CH2N3), 52.59 (CHZCH2N3), 52.86 (OMe), 69.06 (C-6), 70.01 (C-4), 70.06 (C-4’), 71.83 (C-2’), 72.24 (C-3’), 72.94 (C-5’), 73.67 (C-5), 73.73, 75.25 (2 CH2Ph), 76.26 (C-3), 79.77 (C-2), 100.3 (C-1’), 101.81 (C-1), 117.02 (2C, C6H4), 127.69, , 127.98, 128.10, 128.30, 128.37, 128.43, 128.56, 128.75, 128.94, 129.09, 129.60, 129.77, 129.82, 129.87, , 130.10, 132.39, 132.92, 133.08, 133.26, 133.38, 137.85, 137.92, 156.09 (40C, 6 C6H5, C6H4), 164.47, 165.00, 165.51, 165.64, 167.16 (5 CO); ESI- MS: m/z: calcd for C63H57N3Na015 [M+Na]+: 1134.36, found: 1134.47; IR (KBr): 2099 cm'1 (N3)- 4- 2-Azidoeth l hen l -D- luco ranuronate -1—>3 -2 6-di-O-benz l- -D- - pyranoside (18) Compound 17 (2.04 g, 1.84 mmol) was suspended in THF (14 mL) and the suspension was cooled to —10°C. Then 2 M aq LiOH (10 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was d overnight and allowed to warm to rt. After neutralization with Amberlite® lR-120 (H+) ion-exchange resin and filtration, the solvents were evaporated, 4444 the residue was dissolved in THF/HZO (2:3, 16 mL) and treated with TFA (8 mL) for 30 min. The mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue was purified by reversed- phase chromatography (RP-18, ater, 0:1 to 3:1) to give 18 (1.12 g, 1.64 mmol, 89%) as a solid. [81020 —48.1 (01.00, MeOH);1H NMR (500 MHz, CD30D): 62.79 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2N3), 3.35-3.47 (m, 4H, H-2’, H-3’, CHZCH2N3), 3.53 (t, J = 9.1 Hz, 1H, H-4’), 3.73 (m, 2H, H-8), 3.77 (d, J = 9.8 Hz, 1H, H-5’), 3.81-3.89 (m, 2H, H-3, H-5), 3.94 (m, 1H, H- 2), 4.08 (d, J = 2.5 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.53 (s, 2H, CH2Ph), 4.74 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H, H-1’), 4.88- 4.95 (m, 2H, CH2Ph), 4.99 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H, H-1), 7.02, 7.12 (AA’, 88’ of AA’BB’, J = 8.5 Hz, 4H, c6H4), 7.20-7.34 (m, 8H, 2 c6H5), 7.41 (d, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H, 2 c6H5);13c NMR (128 MHz, CD30D): 6 33.97 (CHZCH2N3), 52.19 (CH2CH2N3), 88.85 (c-4), 89.18 (c-8), 71.78 (c-4’), 72.88 (CH2Ph), 73.32 (c-2’), 73.58 (c-5), 74.89 (CH2Ph), 74.93 (c-5’), 75.83 (c- 3’), 78.50 (c-2), 80.84 (03), 101.39 (c-1), 104.07 (c-1’), 118.43 (2c, c6H4), 127.12, 127.21, 127.25, 127.75, 127.87, 128.23 (10c, 2 c6H5), 129.44, 132.31 (3c, c6H4), 138.22, 138.38 (2 c6H5), 158.25 (c6H4), 171.27 (CO); ESl-MS: m/z: calcd for N3NaO12 [M+Na]+: 704.24, found: 704.30; IR (KBr): 2099 cm'1 (N3). 4- oeth l hen l meth l24-di-O-acet l- -D- luco ranuronate -1—>3 O-acet l- 2 -benz l- -D- alacto ranoside 19 A solution of 18 (900 mg, 1.32 mmol) in Ac20 (15 mL) was d at 80°C for 1 h and then cooled to rt. Pyridine (9 mL) and DMAP (25 mg) were added and the reaction e was stirred for 3 days. The solvents were co-evaporated with toluene (5 X 5 mL). The residue was dissolved in DCM (50 mL) and extracted with brine (50 mL) and water (50 mL). The organic phase was dried over Na2804 and filtered through cotton wool. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was dissolved in dry MeOH (20 mL) and anhydrous NaOAc (100 mg) was added. The mixture was stirred ght, neutralized with Amberlyste® 15 (H) ion-exchange resin and filtered. The te was concentrated and the residue purified by flash chromatography (petroleum ether/EtOAc, 2:1 to 2:3) to yield 19 (794 mg, 0.97 mmol, 73%) as a ish solid. [81020 —32.8 (01.00, CHCI3); 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCI3): 5 1.92, 2.01, 2.04 (3s, 9H, 3 OAc), 2.77 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, CHgCH2N3), 3.40 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, CHZCH2N3), 3.48 (dd, J = 7.1, 10.1 Hz, 1H, H-6a), 3.55 (dd, J = 4.8, 10.2 Hz, 1H, H-6b), 3.81 (m, 1H, H-3’), 3.87 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.78-3.83 (m, 2H, H-5, H-5’), 3.88 (dd, J = 7.8, 9.7 Hz, 1H, H-2), 3.91 (dd, J 4545 = 3.3, 9.6 Hz, 1H, H-3), 4.43 (A, B of AB, J = 11.7 Hz, 2H, CH2Ph), 4.64 (A of AB, J = 11.6 Hz, 1H, CH2Ph), 4.81-4.88 (m, 2H, H-1, H-2), 4.91 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H, H-1’), 4.95 (B of AB, J = 10.6 Hz, 1H, CH2Ph), 5.07 (t, J = 9.5 Hz, 1H, H-4’), 5.38 (d, J = 3.0 Hz, 1H, H-4), 6.96, 7.04 (AA’, BB’ of AA’BB’, J = 8.5 Hz, 4H, C6H4), 7.18-7.31 (m, 10H, 2 C6H5);13C NMR (126 MHz, 00013): 5 20.69, 20.72, 20.76 (3 000H3), 34.59 (CH2CH2N3), 52.58 (CH2CH2N3), 52.79 (OCH3), 68.93 (0-6), 69.30 (0-4), 71.91 (0-4’), 72.53 (0-5), 73.10 (0- ’), 73.38 (03), 73.70 (CH2Ph), 73.87 (0-2’), 75.31 (CH2Ph), 77.24 (0-3), 79.19 (0-2), 100.10 (0-1’), 101.71 (0-1), 117.04 (20, C6H4), 127.76, 127.80, 127.96, , 128.40, 128.49 (100, 2 C6H5), 129.85, 132.41 (30, C6H4), 137.87, 137.96 (2 C5H5), 156.08 (C5H4), 167.42, 170.11, 170.29, 170.32 (4 00); : m/z: calcd for C41H47N3Na015 [M+Na]+: 844.29, found: 844.39; IR (KBr): 2101 cm'1 (N3). 4- 2-Azidoeth l hen l meth l24-di-O-acet lO-sulfo- -D- luco ranuronate -1—>3 - 4-O-acet l-2 6-di-O-benz l- -D- alacto ranoside sodium salt 20 Compound 19 (794 mg, 0.97 mmol) was dissolved in dry DMF (10 mL) and SOs-Py (846 mg, 5.31 mmol) was added. The mixture was d for 2 h at rt and quenched by stirring with NaHC03 (719 mg, 8.56 mmol) for 2 h. The solid was filtered off and the filter was washed with MeOH. The filtrate was passed over a Dowex 50X8 (Na+) ion-exchange column. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography eOH, 1:0 to 9:1) to give 20 (808 mg, 0.88 mmol, 91%) as a yellowish solid. During concentration after the flash chromatography a few drops of 0.1 M aq NaOH were added. 0 —18.3 , MeOH);1H NMR (500 MHz, 00300): 61.97, 2.09, 2.11 (3s, 9H, 3 OAc), 2.86 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2N3), 3.50 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H, 0H20H2N3), 3.54 (dd, J = 7.4, 10.4 Hz, 1H, H-6a), 3.65 (dd, J = 4.4, 10.4 Hz, 1H, H-6b), 3.75 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.86 (dd, J = 7.9, 9.5 Hz, 1H, H-2), 4.07 (dd, J = 4.6, 7.1 Hz, 1H, H-5), 4.09-4.14 (m, 2H, H-3, H-5’), 4.49-4.57 (m, 2H, CH2Ph), 4.66 (t, J = 9.2 Hz, 1H, H-3’), 4.80 (A of AB, J = 10.7 Hz, 1H, , 4.96-5.03 (m, 2H, CH2Ph, H-2’), 5.06 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 1H, H-1’), 5.11-5.17 (m, 2H, J = 8.2 Hz, H-1, H-4’) 5.48 (d, J = 3.6 Hz, 1H, H-4), 7.07, 7.18 (AA’, BB’ of AA’BB’, J = 8.5 Hz, 4H, C6H4), .44 (m, 10H, 2 C6H5); 130 NMR (126 MHz, 00300): 620.87, 21.20 (30, 3 COCH3), 35.50 (CH2CH2N3), 53.24 (0H20H2N3), 53.71 (OMe), 70.27 (0-6), 71.08 (0-4), 71.37 (0-4’), 72.95 (02’), 73.50 (05’), 74.14 (0-5), 74.41, 76.26 (2 CH2Ph), 78.98 (0-3’), 80.02 (0-3), 80.11 (0-2), 101.62 (0-1’), 102.61 (0-1), 117.93 (20, C6H4), 128.69, 128.79, 128.90, 129.17, 129.37, 129.43 (100, 2 C6H5), 131.02, 134.06 (30, C6H4), 4646 139.56, 139.72 (2 C6H5), 157.58 (C6H4), 164.89, 169.39, 171.64, 171.75 (4 c0); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C41H45N30188 : 900.25, found: 900.42; IR (KBr): 2101 cm'1 (N3). 4- 2-Aminoeth | hen | disodium 3-O-sulfo- -D- |uco ranuronate -1—>3 - -D- - pyranoside (21 ) To a solution of 20 (470 mg, 0.51 mmol) in THF/HZO (10:1, 10 mL) was added 2 M aq LiOH (2 mL) at —10°C. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to rt and was stirred overnight. The e was neutralized with Amberlyste 15 (W) ion-exchange resin and filtered. The filtrate was passed over a Dowex® 50X8 (Na+) ion-exchange column with MeOH and concentrated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (DCM/MeOH/ H20, 10:3:0.3). A few drops of 0.1 M aq NaOH were added during concentration of the product, which was then ved in MeOH (4.5 mL) and H20 (3.75 mL). AcOH (0.2 mL) and Pd(OH)2/C (94 mg, 20%) were added under argon and the reaction mixture was stirred overnight under an atmosphere of hydrogen (1 atm). The catalyst was filtered off through a pad of Celite and the pad was washed with MeOH and a few drops of H20. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue purified by P2 xclusion chromatography to yield 21 (238 mg, 0.40 mmol, 78%) as a colorless solid after lization. [81020 —25.6 (01.00, H20); 1H NMR (500 MHz, 020): 62.99 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2NH2), 3.28 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H, CHZCHgNHZ), 3.66 (t, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H, H-2’), 3.71— 3.88 (m, 5H, H5, H-6, H-4’, H-5’), 3.92 (dd, J = 3.2, 9.9 Hz, 1H, H—3), 3.99 (t, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H, H-2), 4.26 (d, J = 3.1 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.39 (t, J = 9.0 Hz, 1H, H-3’), 4.82 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 1H, H-1’), 5.12 (d, J: 7.7 Hz, 1H, H-1), 7.17, 7.32 (AA’, BB’ of AA’BB’, J: 8.0 Hz, 4H, C6H4); 130 NMR (126 MHz, 020): 6 31.97 (CH2CH2NH2), 40.65 (CH2CH2NH2), 60.78 (c-6), 68.05 (c-4), 69.02 (c-2), 70.50 (c-4’), 72.03 (c-2’), 75.10 (2c, C5, 05’), 82.43 (c-3), 83.60 (03’), 100.46 (01), 103.24 (01’), 117.01, 130.30, 131.29, 155.75 (6c, C6H4), 175.45 (CO); ESl-MS: m/z: calcd for C20H27NNa2015S +H]': 554.12, found: 554.07. 4- 2- 4-Merca tobutanamido eth | hen | umO-sulfo- -D- |uco ranuronate - 1—>3 - -D- alacto ranoside 22 To a suspension of21 (238 mg, 0.40 mmol) in DMF (8 mL) were added dithiothreitol (112 mg, 0.72 mmol), thiobutyrolactone (343 uL, 4 mmol), and TEA (552 uL, 4 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 18 h at 85°C. The solvent was co-evaporated with toluene (3 X 5 mL) and the residue purified by flash chromatography eOH/HZO, 10:5:1). A few 4747 drops of 0.1 M aq NaOH were added during tration of the product. Lyophilization gave 22 (164 mg, 0.234 mmol, 59%) as a colorless solid. [611,30 —20.2 (01.00, H20); 1H NMR (500 MHz, 020): 61.72-185 (m, 2H, CHZCHZCHZSH), 2.28 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, CHZCHZCHZSH), 2.37 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H, CHZCHZCHZSH), 2.83 (t, J = 6.5 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2NH), 3.49 (t, J = 6.5 Hz, 2H, CH2CH2NH), 3.67 (dd, J = 8.1, 9.1 Hz, 1H, H-2’), 3.73-3.91 (m, 5H, H-5, H6, H-4’, H-5’), 3.94-4.02 (m, 2H, H-2, H-3), 4.29 (d, J: 2.7 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.39 (t, J: 9.1 Hz, 1H, H-3’), 4.84 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 1H, H-1’), 5.13 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 1H, H-1), 7.14, 7.27 (AA’, BB’ of AA’BB’, J: 8.5 Hz, 4H, C6H4); 13c NMR (126 MHz, 020): 5 22.87 (CHZCHZCHZSH), 29.44 (CHZCHZCHZSH), 33.63 (CH2CH2NH), 34.34 (CHZCHZCHZSH), 40.25 2NH), 60.77 (C-6), 68.04 (c-4), 69.03 (c-2), 70.47 , 72.02 (c-2’), 75.10 (c-5), 76.10 (c-5’), 82.48 (c-3), 83.62 (03’), 100.67 (01), 103.26 (c- 1’), 116.72, 130.19, 133.93, 155.24 (6C, C6H4), 175.43, 175.79 (2 c0); HRMS: m/z: calcd for C24H33NNa201682 : 702.1109, found: 702.1104.

Chloroacetylated polylysine (24) Polylysine romide (23) (Sigma P2636, MW 30-70 kD, 0.50 g, 2.4 mmol) was ded in a mixture of DMF (5 mL) and 2,6-lutidine (1.25 mL) under argon. The suspension was cooled to 0°C and a solution of chloroacetic anhydride (513 mg, 3.00 mmol) in DMF (1 mL) was added slowly. The resulting clear solution was stirred for 16 h at 0°C. The product was precipitated by dropwise addition of the reaction mixture to a stirred on of ethanol/ether (1:1, 40 mL). The precipitate was filtered off, washed with ethanol/ether (1:1, 20 mL) and concentrated to give 24 (449 mg, 96%). The 1H NMR data were in accordance with literature values (G. Thoma et al., J Am Chem Soc 1999, 121 :5919-5929).

Minimal HNK-1 Polymer (25) To a solution of 24 (80.2 mg, 0.39 mmol) in DMF (4 mL) were subsequently added 22 (110 mg, 0.16 mmol), water (200 uL) and DBU (88 uL, 0.59 mmol) in DMF (0.8 mL). After stirring for 1 h thioglycerol (102 uL, 1.18 mmol) and TEA (164 uL, 1.18 mmol) were added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 18 h. The product was precipitated by dropwise addition of the reaction mixture to a stirred solution of ethanol/ether (1:1, 30 mL). The precipitate was filtered off, washed with ethanol/ether (1:1, 15 mL) and dried. r purification was achieved by means of ultrafiltration. The dried product was dissolved in 4848 water (10 mL) and ultracentrifugation was performed using two Sartorius Stedim Vivaspin 6 tubes (volume, 6 mL, diameter, 17 mm, molecular weight cutoff 5000). The ultrafiltration was repeated four times from 10 mL down to 3 mL, on each occasion the volume was filled up with water. Lyophilization gave the HNK-1 polymer 25 (139 mg, 70%) According to 1H NMR, the t contained approximately 44% monomer ydrate units linked to the polymer.

Scheme 3:8 nthesis of the minimal HNK-1 ol mer 30 HO Nb 0 O O O o 27 o b) Vk —> VkO—N; —> %O_N:jCI a) O n O 26 28 29 HO 0" NaOOC "0% O 0 O NaO3SO HO OH xn (1-x)n 0 TH 0 NH (CH2)2 Me minHNK-1 30 Reagents and conditions: a) TEA, CHCI3, 46%; b) AIBN, benzene, 84%; c) i. DMF, DMSO, DBU, TEA; ii. MeNH2/MeOH, 39%. 4949 2 5-Dioxo rrolidin lac late 28 To a cooled ath) solution of N-hydroxysuccinimide (27) (6.41 g, 55.8 mmol) and NEt3 (8.5 mL, 61.0 mmol) in CHCI3 (100 mL) was added acryloyl chloride (26) dropwise under argon. The temperature of the mixture was kept below 12°C during the addition. After stirring for 2.5 h, the reaction mixture was subsequently washed with ice-water (100 mL), water (100 mL), and brine (100 mL). The organic phase was dried over NaZSO4, filtered, trated in vacuo to 15 mL, and filtered through a pad of celite. The celite was washed with CHCI3 (15 mL), the filtrate was diluted with EtOAc (2 mL) and petroleum ether (11 mL), and stored at -20 °C overnight. The formed precipitate was filtered off and dried in vacuo to yield 28 (4.30 g, 25.4 mmol, 46%) as white needles.

Activated polyacrylate (29) A solution of 28 (2.10 g, 12.4 mmol) and AIBN (133 mg, 0.81 mmol) in dry benzene (100 mL) was heated at 60 °C for 1 d. The formed precipitate was filtered off, washed with dry THF and dried in vacuo to give 29 (1.70 g, 81%) as a white solid. The lar weight of 29 was determined by gel permeation tography (GPC), with Varian polystyrene calibration kit S—M2-10 used as standard. Mn = 13.9 kD, Mw = 55.3 kD, M2 = 127.4 kD, Mp = 39.0 kD, Mw/Mn = 3.99.

Minimal HNK-1 polymer (30) Compound 22 (51 mg, 0.085 mmol), DBU (10.5 mg, 0.183 mmol) and polymer 29 (29 mg) were dissolved in DMF (0.5 mL) and DMSO (1 mL). The reaction mixture was d for 18 h. Then, MeNH2 (0.5 mL, 33% on in MeOH) was added and stirring was continued for 19 h. The mixture was dialyzed subsequently with a 10 kD cut-off membrane in water (1 L), aq. ammonium formiate (40 mM, 1 L), aq. ammonium formiate (60 mM, 2 X 1 L), and water (2 X 1 L). Final lyophilization gave minimal HNK-1 polymer 30 (27 mg, 39%) as ammonium salt. According to 1H NMR, the product contained approximately 50% of monomer carbohydrate units linked to the polymer. t Sera Sera of four patients (three men and one woman) were igated. They all were tested positive for a monoclonal lgM gammopathy and were diagnosed with anti-MAG 505O neuropathy at the University al of Basel (Basel, Switzerland). Serum anti-MAG antibody titers were ined by an ELISA assay (BUhlmann Laboratories, Schonenbuch, Switzerland). Sera from two patients with a monoclonal lgM gammopathy and negative anti-MAG activity served as control. Use of sera was approved by the ethics committee of the University al of Basel.

Competitive Binding Assay An anti-MAG ELISA kit (BUhlmann Laboratories, Schonenbuch, Switzerland) was used for the biological tion of compounds 1, 2 and 25. The 96 well plates coated with purified MAG from human brain were washed four times with washing buffer (300 ul/well) before adding the carbohydrate ligands in seven different trations (0.05 - 50 mM for the monomers 1 and 2 and 0.05 — 5'000 nM for the polymer 25), 25 ul/well. The patient sera ning anti-MAG lgM antibodies were added in the appropriate dilutions, 25 ul/well. The measurements were made in duplicate. The plate was covered with a plate sealer and incubated for 2 h at 5°C. The wells were washed four times with wash buffer (300 ul/well) before the enzyme labeled lgM human lgM antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase in a protein-based buffer with preservatives) was added (100 ul/well). The plate was incubated for 2 h at 5°C. After washing the wells (4 x 300 ul/well), a substrate solution of ethylbenzidin (TMB in citrate buffer with hydrogen peroxide) was added (100 ul/well) and the plate incubated for further 30 minutes at 800 rpm and room temperature (rt), protected from daylight. Finally, a stop solution (0.25 M sulfuric acid) was added (100 ul/well) and the degree of colorimetric reaction was determined by absorption measurement at 450 nm with a microplate reader (Spectramax 190, Molecular Devices, California, USA).

Claims (33)

Claims

1. A compound of formula (I) or of formula (II) (II) n Z is substituted phenyl, wherein the substituents are selected from, C1alkyl, halo-C1 alkyl, hydroxy-C1alkyl, C1alkoxy-C1alkyl, amino-C1alkyl, acylamino-C1alkyl, mercapto- C1alkyl-carbonylamino-C1alkyl, ropyl, hydroxy, C1alkoxy, halo-C1alkoxy, C1 alkoxy-C1alkoxy, methylenedioxy, hydroxy-sulfonyloxy, carboxy, C1alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxylaminocarbonyl, tetrazolyl, hydroxysulfonyl, ulfonyl, halo, cyano and nitro, or a salt thereof.

2. The nd of claim 1, wherein Z is phenyl substituted withC1alkoxy, amino-C1alkyl or mercapto-C1alkyl-carbonylamino-C1alkyl.

3. The compound of claim 2, wherein Z is p-methoxyphenyl.

4. The compound of claim 2, wherein Z is 4-(2-aminoethyl)phenyl.

5. The compound of claim 4, n the compound is of formula (I) or a salt thereof.

6. The nd of claim 4, n the compound is of formula (II) or a salt thereof.

7. The compound of claim 2, wherein Z is 4-(2-(4-mercaptobutanoylamino)ethyl)phenyl.

8. The compound according to claim 7, wherein the compound is of formula (I) or a salt thereof.

9. The compound according to claim 7, wherein the compound is of formula (II) or a salt thereof. 17667156_1 (GHMatters) P42121NZ00

10. A polymer comprising a multitude of disaccharide substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II), or a salt thereof, (I) (II) wherein Z is a linker connecting said disaccharide substituent to the polymer backbone, wherein the linker Z is aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-C1alkyl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl, wherein said aryl is phenyl and said heteroaryl is a 5 or 6 membered clic heteroaryl group; and wherein said aryl or said heteroaryl is substituted by alkylene with 3 to 25 carbon atoms connecting to the polymer wherein optionally (a) one or more carbon atoms of alkylene are replaced by nitrogen ng a hydrogen atom, and one of the adjacent carbon atoms is substituted by oxo, representing an amide function -NHCO- ; and/or (b) one or more carbon atoms of alkylene are replaced by oxygen; (c) one or more carbon atoms of alkylene are replaced by sulphur; and/or (d1) the terminal carbon atom connecting to the polymer is substituted by oxo; or (d2) the terminal carbon atom connecting to the polymer is replaced by -NH-; and said polymer backbone is an α-amino acid polymer, an acrylic acid or methacrylic acid polymer or copolymer, or a N-vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl alcohol copolymer.

11. The polymer ing to claim 10 n the polymer backbone is an α-amino acid polymer comprising o acid residues selected from lysine, ornithine, glutamic acid and aspartic acid.

12. The polymer according to claim 10, wherein the polymer backbone is poly-lysine.

13. The r according to claim 10, wherein said polymer backbone is -lysine.

14. The polymer according to claim 10, wherein said polymer backbone is poly-D-lysine.

15. The polymer according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the molecular weight of the polymer ne is 1,000 D to 0 D.

16. The r of claim 15, wherein the molecular weight of the r backbone is 10,000 to 100,000 D. 17464160_1 (GHMatters) P42121NZ00

17. The polymer of claim 15 or 16, wherein the molecular weight of the polymer backbone is 30,000 D to 70,000 D.

18. The polymer according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein Z is aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-C1 alkyl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl, wherein said aryl is phenyl and said heteroaryl is a 5 or 6 membered monocyclic heteroaryl group, and wherein said aryl or said heteroaryl is tuted by –(CH2)2NH(C=O)(CH2)3S-CH2-(C=O)− ting to the polymer.

19. The polymer according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein said linker Z is phenyl substituted by –(CH2)2NH(C=O)(CH2)3S-CH2-(C=O)- connecting to the polymer with aminoalkyl side chains at the C=O function.

20. The polymer according to any one of claims 10 to 19, wherein the relative molecular weight of r backbone to disaccharide substituents of formula (I) and/or (II), or a salt thereof, is between 10:1 and 1:1.5.

21. The polymer ing to any one of claims 10 to 20, wherein the loading of said polymer backbone with said disaccharide tuents of a (I) and/or (II), or a salt thereof, is 10 –

22. The polymer according to any one of claims 10 to 21, wherein the g of said r backbone is said disaccharide substituents of formula (I) and/or (II), or a salt thereof, is 30 – 60%.

23. The polymer according to any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein the polymer backbone is polylysine and the remaining lysine side chains in the poly-lysine are capped with 2,3- dihydroxypropylthioacetyl.

24. The polymer according to any one of claims 10 to 23, wherein the multitude of disaccharide substituents are of the formula: COONa HO O O NaO3SO O OZ OH OH .

25. The polymer according to any one of claims 10 to 23, wherein the multitude of disaccharide substituents are of the formula: 17464160_1 (GHMatters) P42121NZ00 COONa HO O O HO O OZ OH OH .

26. The r ing to claim 10, wherein: said polymer backbone is poly-L-lysine having a molecular weight of 30,000 D to 70,000D, 30% to 60% of the lysine sidechains in the poly-L-lysine polymer are linked to disaccharide substituents of formula (I) and/or (II) or a sodium salt thereof and the remaining lysine side chains in the poly-L-lysine polymer are capped with 2,3-dihydroxypropylthioacetyl, said linker Z is phenyl substituted by –(CH2)2NH(C=O)(CH2)3S-CH2-(C=O)− connecting to the lysine side chains at the C=O function.

27. The polymer according to claim 26, wherein the multitude of disaccharide substituents are of formula (I), or a salt thereof.

28. The polymer according to claim 26, wherein the multitude of haride substituents are of formula (II), or a salt thereof.

29. A pharmaceutical composition sing a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or a polymer according to any one of claims 10 to 28.

30. A diagnostic kit comprising a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or a polymer according to any one of claims 10 to 28.

31. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or a polymer according to any one of claims 10 to 28 when used in the ex vivo diagnosis of anti-MAG neuropathy.

32. Use of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of anti-MAG neuropathy.

33. Use of a polymer according to any one of claims 10 to 28 in the manufacture of a medicament for the ent of anti-MAG neuropathy. 17464160_1 (GHMatters) P42121NZ00