(3,3-Difluoro-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-[(2S,4S)-(4-(4-pyrimidin-2-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyrrolidin-2-yl]-methanone: A potent,selective, orally active dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor

A series of 4-substituted proline amides was synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of dipeptidyl pepdidase IV for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. (3,3-Difluoro-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-[(2S,4S)-(4-(4-pyrimidin-2-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyrrolidin-2-yl]-methanone (5) emerged as a potent (IC₅₀ = 13 nM) and selective compound, with high oral bioavailability in preclinical species and low plasma protein binding. Compound 5, PF-00734200, was selected for development as a potential new treatment for type 2 diabetes.     

First generation 5-vinyl-3-pyridinecarbonitrile PKCθ inhibitors

A series of 5-vinyl-3-pyridinecarbonitriles were synthesized and evaluated as PKCθ inhibitors. The systematic optimization of 4-[(4-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)amino]-5-[(E)-2-phenylvinyl]-3-pyridinecarbonitrile 3 resulted in the identification of compound 23e as a potent PKCθ inhibitor with good selectivity over PKCδ.     

N-[(3S)-Pyrrolidin-3-yl]benzamides as novel dual serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors: Impact of small structural modifications on P-gp recognition and CNS penetration

The structure–activity relationship and the synthesis of novel N-[(3S)-pyrrolidin-3-yl]benzamides as dual serotonin and noradrenaline monoamine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) is described. Preferred compound 9 aka PF-184,298 is a potent SNRI with good selectivity over dopamine reuptake inhibition (DRI), good in vitro metabolic stability, weak CYP inhibition and drug-like physicochemical properties consistent with CNS target space. Evaluation in an in vivo preclinical model of stress urinary incontinence showed 9 significantly increased urethral tone at free plasma concentrations consistent with its in vitro primary pharmacology.     

Synthesis and HMG-CoA reductase inhibition of 2-cyclopropyl-4-thiophenyl-quinoline mevalonolactones

A novel series of 2-cyclopropyl-4-thiophenyl quinoline-based mevalonolactones were synthesized from the substituted anilines by several reactions. Among them, (4R,6S)-6-[(E)-2-(2-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-(4-fluoro-thiophenyl)-quinoline-3-yl)-ethenyl]-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one (1d), (4R,6S)-6-[(E)-2-(2-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-(3-methoxy-thiophenyl)-quinoline-3-yl)-ethenyl]-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one (1f) and (4R,6S)-6-[(E)-2-(2-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4,7-di(3-methoxy-thiophenyl)-quinoline-3-yl)-ethenyl]-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one (1q) showed potent HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity comparable with pitavastatin.     

Isatin 1,2,3-triazoles as potent inhibitors against caspase-3

Sixteen disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles were prepared using the Huisgen cycloaddition reaction and evaluated as inhibitors against caspase-3. The two most potent inhibitors were found to be (S)-1-((1-(2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)-5-((2-(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)sulfonyl)indoline-2,3-dione (7f) and (S)-1-((1-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-5-yl)methyl)-5-((2-(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)sulfonyl)indoline-2,3-dione (8g) with IC₅₀-values of 17 and 9 nM, respectively. Lineweaver-Burk plots revealed that these two triazoles show competitive inhibitory mechanism against caspase-3.     

Synthesis,structure–activity relationships,and biological profiles of a dihydrobenzoxathiin class of histamine H3 receptor inverse agonists

A series of novel dihydrobenzoxathiin derivatives was synthesized and evaluated as potent human histamine H₃ receptor inverse agonists. After systematic modification of lead 1a, the potent and selective histamine H₃ inverse agonist 1-(3-{4-[(2S,3S)-8-methoxy-3-methyl-4,4-dioxido-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzoxathiin-2-yl]phenoxy}propyl)pyrrolidine (5k) was identified. Compound 5k showed good pharmacokinetic profiles and brain penetrability in laboratory animals. After 3 mg/kg oral administration of 5k, significant elevation of brain histamine levels was observed in rats where the brain H₃ receptor was fully occupied.     

Discovery of INCB10820/PF-4178903, a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable dual CCR2 and CCR5 antagonist

We report the discovery of a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable dual CCR2 and CCR5 antagonist (3S,4S)-N-[(1R,3S)-3-isopropyl-3-({4-[4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}carbonyl)cyclopentyl]-3-methoxytetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-amine (19). After evaluation in 28-day toxicology studies, compound 19 (INCB10820/PF-4178903) was selected as a clinical candidate.     

Discovery of substituted 3H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-ones as potent,biased, and orally bioavailable sst2 agonist

The discovery of a novel 3H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one series as potent and biased sst2 agonists is described. This class of molecules exhibits excellent sst2 potency and selectivity against sst1, sst3, and sst5 receptors, and they are significantly more potent at inhibiting cAMP production than inducing internalization. The orally bioavailable 6-(3-chloro-5-methylphenyl)-3-(3-fluoro-5-hydroxyphenyl)-5-({methyl[(2S)-pyrrolidin-2-ylmethyl]amino}methyl)-3H,4H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one (36) also suppresses GH secretion in GHRH-challenged rats in a dose-dependent manner.     

Discovery of pyridone-containing imidazolines as potent and selective inhibitors of neuropeptide Y Y5 receptor

A series of 2-pyridone-containing imidazoline derivatives was synthesized and evaluated as neuropeptide Y Y5 receptor antagonists. Optimization of the 2-pyridone structure on the 2-position of the imidazoline ring led to identification of 1-(difluoromethyl)-5-[(4S,5S)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(6-fluoropyridin-3-yl)-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridin-2(1H)-one (7m). Compound 7m displayed statistically significant inhibition of food intake in an agonist-induced food intake model in SD rats and no adverse cardiovascular effects in anesthetized dogs. In addition, markedly higher brain penetrability and a lower plasma Occ90 value were observed in P-gp-deficient mdr1a (?/?) mice compared to mdr1a (+/+) mice after oral administration of 7m.     

Synthesis and evaluation of imidazole–dioxolane compounds as selective heme oxygenase inhibitors: Effect of substituents at the 4-position of the dioxolane ring

Several imidazole–dioxolane compounds were synthesized and evaluated as novel inhibitors of heme oxygenase (HO). These compounds, which include a series of substituted thiophenol and substituted phenol derivatives of (2R,4S)-2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl]-2-[(1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]-4-[(phenylsulfanyl)methyl]-1,3-dioxolane hydrochloride (3), in addition to smaller functionalized derivatives, continue our structure–activity studies by exploration of the aminothiophenol region (‘northeastern region’) in our original target structure azalanstat (1). In vitro, most of the compounds in this series were found to be highly potent inhibitors of the stress-induced isozyme HO-1 and the constitutive isozyme HO-2, showing only moderate selectivity for HO-1. Nevertheless, a few of the compounds displayed higher selectivity toward HO-1. None of the compounds having a larger appendage in the northeastern region were inhibitors of CYP2E1, whereas a compound having a relatively small fluorine substituent in this region did inhibit CYP2E1; all of the compounds tested exhibited high inhibitory potency against CYP3A1/3A2.     

Novel substituted pyrrolidines are high affinity histamine H3 receptor antagonists

Pre-clinical characterization of novel substituted pyrrolidines that are high affinity histamine H₃ receptor antagonists is described. These compounds efficiently penetrate the CNS and occupy the histamine H₃ receptor in rat brain following oral administration. One compound, (2S,4R)-1-[2-(4-cyclobutyl-[1,4]diazepane-1-carbonyl)-4-(3-fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethanone, was extensively profiled and shows promise as a potential clinical candidate.     

Synthesis,biological evaluation and molecular modeling of dihydro-pyrazolyl-thiazolinone derivatives as potential COX-2 inhibitors

A series of dihydro-pyrazolyl-thiazolinone derivatives (5a–5t) have been synthesized and their biological activities were also evaluated as potential cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. Among these compounds, compound 2-(3-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)thiazol-4(5H)-one (5a) displayed the most potent COX-2 inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ of 0.5 μM, but weak to COX-1. Docking simulation was performed to position compound 5a into the COX-2 active site to determine the probable binding model. Based on the preliminary results, compound 5a with potent inhibitory activity and low toxicity would be a potential and selective anti-cyclooxygenase-2 agent.     

Synthesis of carbon-11-labeled 5-HT6R antagonists as new candidate PET radioligands for imaging of Alzheimer’s disease

Carbon-11-labeled serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) 6 receptor (5-HT₆R) antagonists, 1-[(2-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-[¹¹C]methoxy-3-[(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-1H-indole (O-[¹¹C]2a) and 1-[(2-bromophenyl)sulfonyl]-5-methoxy-3-[(4-[¹¹C]methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-1H-indole (N-[¹¹C]2a), 5-[¹¹C]methoxy-3-((4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indole (O-[¹¹C]2b) and 5-methoxy-3-((4-[¹¹C]methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indole (N-[¹¹C]2b), 1-((4-isopropylphenyl)sulfonyl)-5-[¹¹C]methoxy-3-((4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1H-indole (O-[¹¹C]2c) and 1-((4-isopropylphenyl)sulfonyl)-5-methoxy-3-((4-[¹¹C]methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1H-indole (N-[¹¹C]2c), 1-((4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl)-5-[¹¹C]methoxy-3-((4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1H-indole (O-[¹¹C]2d) and 1-((4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl)-5-methoxy-3-((4-[¹¹C]methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)-1H-indole (N-[¹¹C]2d), were prepared from their O- or N-desmethylated precursors with [¹¹C]CH₃OTf through O- or N-[¹¹C]methylation and isolated by HPLC combined with SPE in 40–50% radiochemical yield, based on [¹¹C]CO₂ and decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB). The radiochemical purity was >99%, and the molar activity (MA) at EOB was 370–740?GBq/μmol with a total synthesis time of ～40-min from EOB.     

Copper and manganese complexes with C2-multitopic ligands. X-ray crystal structure of [Cu(N,N′-bis[(S)-prolyl]phenylenediamine)H2O]. Catalytic properties

Eight mononuclear complexes with multitopic C₂-symmetry ligands, [Cu(L)]ClO₄, [Mn(L)Cl(H₂O)]PF₆, (L=N,N′-bis[(S)-prolyl]phenylenediamine (1), N,N′-bis[(S)-N-benzylprolyl]phenylenediamine (2), N,N′-bis{[(S)-pyrrolidin-2-yl]methyl}phenylenediamine (3), N,N′-bis-{[(S)-N-benzyl-pyrrolidin-2-yl]methyl}phenylenediamine (4)) have been prepared and characterised by analytical (elemental analysis, and mass spectroscopy) and FT IR, NMR and electronic spectroscopies. The data show that the ligands are neutral and coordinate to the metal in a tetradentate manner. The N,N′-bis[(S)-prolyl]phenylenediamine ligand also appears as an anionic species, (LH-2), and the single crystal structure determination of the respective complex, [Cu(1)]H₂O, is reported. This new family of Cu-complexes catalyse the cyclopropanation of styrene with ethyl and t-butyl diazoacetate to afford cis/trans 2-phenylcyclopropan-1-carboxylates with good yields and selectivity against dimerisation and low ee (<10%). On the other hand, the manganese and copper complexes also catalyse the oxidation of organic sulfides to sulfoxides with high selectivity, and moderate to low enantioselectivity. If an excess of oxidant were used the reaction yields sulfone as only product with excellent yield.     

Discovery of novel arylpyrazole series as potent and selective opioid receptor-like 1 (ORL1) antagonists

The synthesis and biological evaluation of new potent opioid receptor-like 1 antagonists are presented. A structure–activity relationship (SAR) study of arylpyrazole lead compound 1 obtained from library screening identified compound 31, (1S,3R)-N-{[1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-5-(5-fluoro-6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]methyl}-3-fluorocyclopentanamine, which exhibits high intrinsic potency and selectivity against other opioid receptors and hERG potassium channel.     

Structural and theoretical studies of [6-bromo-1-(4-fluorophenylmethyl)-4(1H)-quinolinon-3-yl)]-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-3-butenoïc acid as HIV-1 integrase inhibitor

Ethyl [6-bromo-1-(4-fluorophenylmethyl)-4(1H)-quinolinon-3-yl]-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-3-butenoate 1 and [6-bromo-1-(4-fluorophenylmethyl)-4(1H)-quinolinon-3-yl)]-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-3-butenoïc acid 2 were synthesized as potential HIV-1 integrase inhibitors and evaluated for their enzymatic and antiviral activity, acidic compound 2 being more potent than ester compound 1. X-ray diffraction analyses and theoretical calculations show that the diketoacid chain of compound 2 is preferentially coplanar with the quinolinone ring (dihedral angle of 0–30°). Docking studies suggest binding modes in agreement with structure–activity relationships.     

A study of the biologically active conformation of the cholecystokinin-4 dipeptide analogue GB-115

The biologically active conformation of N-(6-phenylhexanoyl)glycyl-tryptophan amide (GB-115), a highly active cholecystokinin-4 retro dipeptide analogue with the anxiolytic activity, has been studied using the conformational analysis by ¹H NMR spectroscopy in solution and the method of sterically restricted analogues. A study of the relationship between the preferable conformation in solution and the anxiolytic activity in the series of GB-115 derivatives showed that the biologically active conformation of this compound is the β-turn. Based on the data on the nuclear Overhauser effect ¹H NMR spectroscopy, this structure was identified as the β-turn of type II. Subsequent synthesis and study of the pharmacological activity of novel sterically restricted analogues of dipeptide GB-115: (2S)-2-{(3R)-3-[(6-phenylhexanoyl)amino]-2-oxopyrrolidine-1-yl}-3-(1H-indole-3-yl)propionic acid ethyl ester, N-(6-phenylhexanoyl)glycyl-N ^α-methyltryptophan ethyl ester, (2S)-2-[(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b, f]azepin-5-ylcarbonyl)amino]-3-(1H-indole-3-yl)propionic acid methyl ester, and (2S)-2-[({3-[(ethoxycarbonyl)amino]-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b, f]azepin-5-yl}carbonyl)amino]-3-(1H-indole-3-yl)propionic acid methyl ester confirmed that the β-turn of type II is the active conformation of GB-115.     

Amine-free melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 antagonists: Novel 1-(1H-benzimidazol-6-yl)pyridin-2(1H)-one derivatives and design to avoid CYP3A4 time-dependent inhibition

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is an attractive target for antiobesity agents, and numerous drug discovery programs are dedicated to finding small-molecule MCH receptor 1 (MCHR1) antagonists. We recently reported novel pyridine-2(1H)-ones as aliphatic amine-free MCHR1 antagonists that structurally featured an imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-based bicyclic motif. To investigate imidazopyridine variants with lower basicity and less potential to inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), we designed pyridine-2(1H)-ones bearing various less basic bicyclic motifs. Among these, a lead compound 6a bearing a 1H-benzimidazole motif showed comparable binding affinity to MCHR1 to the corresponding imidazopyridine derivative 1. Optimization of 6a afforded a series of potent thiophene derivatives (6q–u); however, most of these were found to cause time-dependent inhibition (TDI) of CYP3A4. As bioactivation of thiophenes to form sulfoxide or epoxide species was considered to be a major cause of CYP3A4 TDI, we introduced electron withdrawing groups on the thiophene and found that a CF₃ group on the ring or a Cl adjacent to the sulfur atom helped prevent CYP3A4 TDI. Consequently, 4-[(5-chlorothiophen-2-yl)methoxy]-1-(2-cyclopropyl-1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-6-yl)pyridin-2(1H)-one (6s) was identified as a potent MCHR1 antagonist without the risk of CYP3A4 TDI, which exhibited a promising safety profile including low CYP3A4 inhibition and exerted significant antiobesity effects in diet-induced obese F344 rats.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a potent,well-balanced EP2/EP3 dual agonist

A highly potent and well-balanced dual agonist for the EP₂ and EP₃ receptors is described. Optimization of the lead compound was accomplished in consideration of the relative agonist activity against each EP subtype receptor and the pharmacokinetic profile. As the result, 2-[(2-{(1R,2R)-2-[(1E,4S)-5-cyclopentyl-4-hydroxy-4-methyl-1-penten-1-yl]-5-oxocyclopentyl}eth-yl)thio]-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid (10) showed excellent potency (human EC₅₀ EP₂?=?1.1?nM, EP₃?=?1.0?nM) with acceptable selectivity over the EP₁ and EP₄ subtypes (>2000-fold). Further fine-tuning of compound 10 led to identification of ONO-8055 as a clinical candidate. ONO-8055 was effective at an extremely low dose (0.01?mg/kg, po, bid) in rats, and dose-dependently improved voiding dysfunction in a monkey model of underactive bladder (UAB). ONO-8055 is expected to be a novel and highly promising drug for UAB.     

Design and synthesis of novel benzimidazole derivatives as phosphodiesterase 10A inhibitors with reduced CYP1A2 inhibition

A novel class of phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) inhibitors with reduced CYP1A2 inhibition were designed and synthesized starting from 2-{[(1-phenyl-1H-benzimidazol-6-yl)oxy]methyl}quinoline (1). Introduction of an isopropyl group at the 2-position and a methoxy group at the 5-position of the benzimidazole ring of lead compound 1 resulted in the identification of 2-{[(2-isopropyl-5-methoxy-1-phenyl-1H-benzimidazol-6-yl)oxy]methyl}quinoline (25b), which exhibited potent PDE10A inhibitory activity with reduced CYP1A2 inhibitory activity compared to compound 1.