Figure 3.

The simple one-step synthesis method of deferiprone (L1) from maltol and methylamine, which was invented in the Royal Free Hospital Medical School. The simple, inexpensive preparation of deferiprone (L1) led to the organization of clinical trials in London, UK, and multicenter clinical trials worldwide. The same synthetic method is currently used by generic pharmaceutical companies worldwide, and most importantly made deferiprone (L1) available to patients in developing countries, where thalassemia and other iron loading diseases are endemic (see [78]).