A23

**A23** is an investigational, covalent venetoclax-dihydroartemisinin conjugate developed as a next-generation antileukemic small molecule. It was generated by modifying the polyethylene glycol linker of the related conjugate A20 with nitrogen-containing polar groups, with the aim of improving aqueous solubility and inhibition of leukemic colony formation. A23 is intended to retain the B-cell lymphoma 2 inhibitory pharmacology of its venetoclax component while incorporating the dihydroartemisinin pharmacophore to address resistance mechanisms relevant to acute myeloid leukemia. ([aacrjournals.org](https://aacrjournals.org/cancerres/article/86/7_Supplement/7087/782072/Abstract-7087-Optimizing-the-linker-of-venetoclax))