Baccatin III is the precursor to paclitaxel/ taxol. Antileukaemic and antitumor agent isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew tree (Taxus breviofolia). Baccatin III binds to tubules when they are assembled in the cell and stabilizes the polymerized form of tubules so that they remain assembled even under conditions in which microtubules dissociate into tubulin subunits. Baccatin III is also an inducer of apoptosis and shows antitumor properties in vitroAn apoptosis inducer and precursor to paclitaxel/taxol Baccatin III is the precursor to paclitaxel/ taxol. Antileukaemic and antitumor agent isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew tree (Taxus breviofolia). Baccatin III binds to tubules when they are assembled in the cell and stabilizes the polymerized form of tubules so that they remain assembled even under conditions in which microtubules dissociate into tubulin subunits. Baccatin III is also an inducer of apoptosis and shows antitumor properties in vitro An apoptosis inducer and precursor to paclitaxel/taxol