Process for the preparation and purification of apixaban

1. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula I,

comprising:

a) deprotecting a compound of formula IX, Wherein R is selected from the group consisting of benzyl, optionally substituted benzyl, allyl, trityl, silyl and C(O)R1, wherein R1 is H, or lower alkyl to obtain a compound of formula X; and

b) methylating the compound of formula X to obtain apixaban, a compound of formula I.

2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein R is benzyl, and the compound of formula IX is of formula IXa

3. The process according to claim 2 , Wherein in step a) R is benzyl, and the deprotection is carried out by hydrogenation.

4. The process according to claim 1 , wherein in step b) the methylating agent is selected from the group consisting of methyl iodide, dimethyl sulphate, and dimethyl carbonate.

5. The process according to claim 2 , wherein the compound of formula IXa is prepared by a process comprising;

a) reacting a compound of formula II with a compound of formula VI to obtain a compound of formula VII; and

b) convening the compound of formula VII to a compound of formula IXa

6. The process according to claim 5 , wherein in step b) the compound of formula VII is hydrolysed to obtain a compound of formula VIII

and then amidated to obtain a compound of formula IXa.

7. The process according to claim 1 further comprising purification of apixaban comprising treating crude apixaban with a base.

8. The process according to claim 7 , further comprising:

isolating apixaban from a mixture of water and an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of alcohols, ethers, amides, esters, nitriles, sulfoxides, ketones, hydrocarbons, acetates and halogenated hydrocarbons.

9. The process according to claim 8 , wherein the isolation comprises:

a) treating apixaban in a mixture of water and an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of alcohols, ethers, esters, amides, nitriles, sulfoxides, ketones, hydrocarbons, acetates and halogenated hydrocarbons to form a mixture;

b) optionally heating the mixture of step (a); and

c) crystallizing apixaban from the mixture.

10. The process according to claim 8 , wherein the isolation comprises:

a) dissolving apixaban in a solvent selected from the group consisting of alcohols, ethers, esters, amides, nitriles, sulfoxides, ketones and hydrocarbons to form a solution;

b) adding water as an anti-solvent to the solution; and

c) crystallising apixaban from the above step (b).

11. The process according to claim 10 , wherein apixaban is dissolved in DMSO and water is added as an anti-solvent.

12. The process according to claim 11 , wherein the compound of formula VII or VIII is less than 0.1% w/w of apixaban, as measured by high performance liquid chromatography

13. A compound selected from the following

14. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula I,

comprising the following steps:

(i) reacting a compound of formula II with a compound of formula VI to obtain a compound of formula VII,

 and

(ii) hydrolysing a compound of formula VII to the compound of formula VIII,

and

(iii) amidating a compound of formula VIII to obtain a compound of formula IXa,

and, lastly

(iv) converting a compound of formula IXa to the compound of formula I.