NAMI-A

NAMI-A and KP1019 are two ruthenium anticancer agents that have entered clinical trials. NAMI is an acronym for "New Anti-tumour Metastasis Inhibitor", while the -A suffix indicates that this is the first of a potential series.

NAMI-A and KP1019 are based primarily around the use of Ruthenium, a rare noble metal. Ruthenium is unknown to living systems, with a strong complex forming ability with numerous ligands. Its partially filled 4d sub-shell allows it to form complexes that are useful for a wide variety of applications including catalysis, electronics, photochemistry, biosensors and anticancer drugs. Ruthenium, unlike traditional platinum complexes, shows greater resistance to hydrolysis and more selective action on tumors.