US Patent 7422733 Linkable sialyl Lewis X analogs

Disclosed herein is a class of linkable tetrasaccharide compounds that includes the amino phenyl glycoside of sialyl Lewis X (SLeX) and related analogs. These compounds have conjugatable nucleophilic groups, making them useful in preparing multimeric SLeX compositions. In particular, the disclosed SLeX compounds can be used to prepare selectin binding ligand conjugates by linking them to a reporter moiety, such as a contrast agent, a radiodiagnostic agent, or a cytotoxic or chemotherapeutic agent. The SLeX compounds and conjugates of the invention exhibit binding to selectin that is similar to native Sialyl Lex, and are, therefore, useful for diagnosing and treating selectin-mediated disorders and related conditions.