Symplocamide A is a newly discovered (2008) 3-amino-6-hydroxy-2-piperidone (Ahp) cyclodepsipeptide that has been isolated from a marine cyanobacteria in Papua New Guinea, which has only been identified at the genus level (Symploca).

[2] Cyanobacteria, both freshwater and marine, are known as producers of diverse protease inhibitors that may be used to treat diseases, such as HIV, and some forms of cancer.

Research on symplocamide A has shown that it is a strong serine protease inhibitor and has a high level of cytotoxicity to cancer cells when used in vitro.

Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), the molecular formula (C46H71BrN10O13) and structure were elucidated.

[4] Symplocamide A has also been determined to be a potent protease inhibitor which may be used for the treatment of infectious diseases, such as HIV and HCV, if it is similar to other protease inhibitors that have been used before as treatments.