The pyridine-containing central domain of the amythiamicin group of thiopeptide antibiotics is prepared in protected form in 9 steps, 93% ee and 18% overall yield from (S)-2-[1-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-2-methylpropyl]thiazole-4-carboxylic acid by Michael addition窶田yclodehydration of a 2-(2-thiazolyl)enamine and 1-(2-thiazolyl)propynone.