A concise radiosynthesis of the tau radiopharmaceutical, [ 18 F]T807

Fluorine‐18 labeled 7‐(6‐fluoropyridin‐3‐yl)‐5H‐pyrido[4,3‐b]indole ([ 18 F]T807) is a potent and selective agent for imaging paired helical filaments of tau and is among the most promising PET radiopharmaceuticals for this target in early clinical trials. The present study reports a simplified one‐step method for the synthesis of [ 18 F]T807 that is broadly applicable for routine clinical production using a GE TRACERlab™ FX FN radiosynthesis module. Key facets of our optimized radiosynthesis include development and use of a more soluble protected precursor, tert ‐butyl 7‐(6‐nitropyridin‐3‐yl)‐5H‐pyrido[4,3‐b]indole‐5‐carboxylate, as well as new HPLC separation conditions that enable a facile one‐step synthesis. During the nucleophilic fluorinating reaction with potassium cryptand [ 18 F]fluoride (K[ 18 F]/K 222 ) in DMSO at 130 °C over 10 min the precursor is concurrently deprotected. Formulated [ 18 F]T807 was prepared in an uncorrected radiochemical yield of 14 ± 3%, with a specific activity of 216 ± 60 GBq/µmol (5837 ± 1621 mCi/µmol) at the end of synthesis (60 min; n  = 3) and validated for human use. This methodology offers the advantage of faster synthesis in fewer steps, with simpler automation that we anticipate will facilitate widespread clinical use of [ 18 F]T807. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.