Discovery of potent and efficacious urea-containing nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) inhibitors with reduced CYP2C9 inhibition properties

Potent, reversible inhibition of the cytochrome P450 CYP2C9 isoform was observed in a series of urea-containing nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) inhibitors. This unwanted property was successfully removed from the described inhibitors through a combination of structure-based design and medicinal chemistry activities. An optimized compound which did not inhibit CYP2C9 exhibited potent anti-NAMPT activity (17; BC NAMPT IC₅₀ = 3 nM; A2780 antiproliferative IC₅₀ = 70 nM), good mouse PK properties, and was efficacious in an A2780 mouse xenograft model. The crystal structure of this compound in complex with the NAMPT protein is also described.     

Identification of 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-derived ureas as potent inhibitors of human nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT)

Potent nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) inhibitors containing 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-derived ureas were identified using structure-based design techniques. The new compounds displayed improved aqueous solubilities, determined using a high-throughput solubility assessment, relative to previously disclosed urea and amide-containing NAMPT inhibitors. An optimized 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-derived compound exhibited potent anti-NAMPT activity (18; BC NAMPT IC₅₀ = 11 nM; PC-3 antiproliferative IC₅₀ = 36 nM), satisfactory mouse PK properties, and was efficacious in a PC-3 mouse xenograft model. The crystal structure of another optimized compound (29; NAMPT IC₅₀ = 10 nM; A2780 antiproliferative IC₅₀ = 7 nM) in complex with the NAMPT protein was also determined.     

Fragment-based design of 3-aminopyridine-derived amides as potent inhibitors of human nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT)

The fragment-based identification of two novel and potent biochemical inhibitors of the nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) enzyme is described. These compounds (51 and 63) incorporate an amide moiety derived from 3-aminopyridine, and are thus structurally distinct from other known anti-NAMPT agents. Each exhibits potent inhibition of NAMPT biochemical activity (IC₅₀ = 19 and 15 nM, respectively) as well as robust antiproliferative properties in A2780 cell culture experiments (IC₅₀ = 121 and 99 nM, respectively). However, additional biological studies indicate that only inhibitor 51 exerts its A2780 cell culture effects via a NAMPT-mediated mechanism. The crystal structures of both 51 and 63 in complex with NAMPT are also independently described.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of novel substituted benzoylguanidine derivatives as potent Na+/H+ exchanger inhibitors

A novel series of substituted benzoylguanidine derivatives were designed and synthesized as potent NHE1 inhibitors. Most compounds can significantly inhibit NHE1-mediated platelet swelling in a concentration-dependent manner, among which compound 5f (IC₅₀ = 3.60 nM) and 5l (IC₅₀ = 4.48 nM) are 18 and 14 times respectively more potent than cariporide (IC₅₀ = 65.0 nM). Furthermore, when tested in vivo and in vitro, compound 5f showed superior cardioprotective effects against SD rat myocardial ischemic-reperfusion injury over cariporide, representing a promising lead compound for further exploration.     

Identification of the fused bicyclic 4-amino-2-phenylpyrimidine derivatives as novel and potent PDE4 inhibitors

2-Phenyl-4-piperidinyl-6,7-dihydrothieno[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivative (2) was found to be a new PDE4 inhibitor with moderate PDE4B activity (IC₅₀ = 150 nM). A number of derivatives with a variety of 4-amino substituents and fused bicyclic pyrimidines were synthesized. Among these, 5,5-dioxo-7,8-dihydro-6H-thiopyrano[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivative (18) showed potent PDE4B inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 25 nM). Finally, N-propylacetamide derivative (31b) was determined as a potent inhibitor for both PDE4B (IC₅₀ = 7.5 nM) and TNF-α production in mouse splenocytes (IC₅₀ = 9.8 nM) and showed good in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in the LPS-induced lung inflammation model in mice (ID₅₀ = 18 mg/kg). The binding mode of the new inhibitor (31e) in the catalytic site of PDE4B is presented based on an X-ray crystal structure of the ligand–enzyme complex.     

Discovery of potent transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 antagonists: Design and synthesis of phenoxyacetamide derivatives

We aimed to discover a novel type of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) antagonist because such antagonists are possible drug candidates for treating various disorders. We modified the structure of hit compound 7 (human TRPV1 IC₅₀ = 411 nM) and converted its pyrrolidino group to a (hydroxyethyl)methylamino group, which substantially improved inhibitory activity (15d; human TRPV1 IC₅₀ = 33 nM). In addition, 15d ameliorated bladder overactivity in rats in vivo.     

Isoquinoline derivatives as potent CRTH2 antagonists: Design,synthesis and SAR

In this study, we describe the synthesis and structure–activity relationship (SAR) of a series of isoquinoline chemoattractant receptor–homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2) antagonists. TASP0376377 (15-20), one of the most potent compounds, showed a potent binding affinity (IC₅₀ = 19 nM) in addition to the excellent functional antagonist activity (IC₅₀ = 13 nM). Moreover, the efficacy of this compound in a chemotaxis assay (IC₅₀ = 23 nM) was in good agreement with its potency as a CRTH2 antagonist. In addition, 15-20 exhibited greater selectivity in binding to CRTH2 than to the DP1 prostanoid receptor (IC₅₀ >1 μM) or the enzymes COX-1 and COX-2 (IC₅₀ >10 μM).     

New class of azaheptapyridine FPT inhibitors as potential cancer therapy agents

Tertiary hydroxyl class of C-imidazole bridgehead azaheptapyridine FPT inhibitors were prepared in an attempt to block in vivo oxidation of secondary hydroxyl series. One representative compound 5a exhibited potent enzyme (IC₅₀ = 1.4 nM) and cellular activities (soft agar IC₅₀ = 1.3 nM) with excellent oral pharmacokinetic profiles in rats, mice, monkeys and dogs. The in vivo study in wap-ras TG mouse models showed dose dependent tumor growth inhibition and regression.     

Structure-guided design of new indoles as negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) containing GluN2B subunit

Negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) of GluN2B-containing NMDARs provide pharmacological tools for the treatment of chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Novel NAMs have been designed on the basis of computational studies focused on the ‘hit compound’ 3. This series of indoles has been tested in competition assay. Compounds 16 and 17 were the most active ligands (IC₅₀ values of 83 nM and 71 nM, respectively) and they showed a potency close to that of reference compounds ifenprodil (1, IC₅₀ = 47 nM) and 3 (IC₅₀ = 25 nM). Furthermore, docking studies have been performed for active ligand 16 and the results were in a good agreement with biological data.     

Discovery of 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-yloxy-benzamides as selective antagonists of the kappa opioid receptor. Part 1

Initial high throughput screening efforts identified highly potent and selective kappa opioid receptor antagonist 3 (κ IC₅₀ = 77 nM; μ:κ and δ:κ IC₅₀ ratios >400) which lacked CNS exposure in vivo. Modification of this scaffold resulted in development of a series of 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-yloxy-benzamides showing potent and selectivity κ antagonism as well as good brain exposure. Analog 6c (κ IC₅₀ = 20 nM; μ:κ = 36, δ:κ = 415) was also shown to reverse κ-agonist induced rat diuresis in vivo.     

Structure-based design,synthesis, and evaluation of imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine and imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives as novel dual c-Met and VEGFR2 kinase inhibitors

To identify compounds with potent antitumor efficacy for various human cancers, we aimed to synthesize compounds that could inhibit c-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (c-Met) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) kinases. We designed para-substituted inhibitors by using co-crystal structural information from c-Met and VEGFR2 in complex with known inhibitors. This led to the identification of compounds 3a and 3b, which were capable of suppressing both c-Met and VEGFR2 kinase activities. Further optimization resulted in pyrazolone and pyridone derivatives, which could form intramolecular hydrogen bonds to enforce a rigid conformation, thereby producing potent inhibition. One compound of particular note was the imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivative (26) bearing a 6-methylpyridone ring, which strongly inhibited both c-Met and VEGFR2 enzyme activities (IC₅₀ = 1.9, 2.2 nM), as well as proliferation of c-Met-addicted MKN45 cells and VEGF-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (IC₅₀ = 5.0, 1.8 nM). Compound 26 exhibited dose-dependent antitumor efficacy in vivo in MKN45 (treated/control ratio [T/C] = 4%, po, 5 mg/kg, once-daily) and COLO205 (T/C = 13%, po, 15 mg/kg, once-daily) mouse xenograft models.     

Diazinones as P2 replacements for pyrazole-based cathepsin S inhibitors

A pyridazin-4-one fragment 4 (hCatS IC₅₀ = 170 μM) discovered through Tethering was modeled into cathepsin S and predicted to overlap in S2 with the tetrahydropyridinepyrazole core of a previously disclosed series of CatS inhibitors. This fragment served as a template to design pyridazin-3-one 12 (hCatS IC₅₀ = 430 nM), which also incorporates P3 and P5 binding elements. A crystal structure of 12 bound to Cys25Ser CatS led to the synthesis of the potent diazinone isomers 22 (hCatS IC₅₀ = 60 nM) and 27 (hCatS IC₅₀ = 40 nM).     

A novel and potent VLA-4 antagonist based on trans-4-substituted cyclohexanecarboxylic acid

During the course of our study, it was revealed that the poor pharmacokinetic properties of a series of benzoic acid derivatives such as 1 should be attributed to the diphenylurea moiety. Thus, we replaced the diphenylurea moiety in 1 with a 2-(2-methylphenylamino)benzoxazole moiety which mimics the diphenylurea structure. However, this modification resulted in a significant decrease (3, IC₅₀ = 19 nM) in VLA-4 inhibitory activity compared to 1 (IC₅₀ = 1.6 nM). To address this discrepancy, we worked on optimization of the carboxylic acid moiety in compound 3. As a result, our efforts have led to the discovery of trans-4-substituted cyclohexanecarboxylic acid derivative 11b (IC₅₀ = 2.8 nM) as a novel and potent VLA-4 antagonist. In addition, compound 11b exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic properties (CL = 3.3 ml/min/kg, F = 51%) in rats.     

Discovery of new [1,4]dioxino[2,3-f]quinazoline-based inhibitors of EGFR including the T790M/L858R mutant

A novel series of 2,3-dihydro-[1,4]dioxino[2,3-f]quinazoline derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as reversible and noncovalent epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. Most of the compounds exhibited good potency against EGFR^wt and some showed moderate to excellent potency against EGFR^T790M/L858R mutant. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of twenty-one compounds against EGFR^wt were less than 50 nM, and those of six compounds were less than 10 nM. The IC₅₀ values of eleven compounds against EGFR^T790M/L858R were less than 100 nM. Among these, compound b1 displayed the most potent inhibitory activity against EGFR^wt (IC₅₀ = 2.0 nM) and EGFR^T790M/L858R (IC₅₀ = 6.9 nM). Compounds with excellent inhibitory activities against EGFR^wt and EGFR^T790M/L858R kinase inhibitory activities showed good antiproliferative activities against H358 and A549 cells. Docking study was performed to position compound b1 into the EGFR active pocket to determine the probable binding conformation.     

Identification of 3,6-disubstituted dihydropyrones as inhibitors of human lactate dehydrogenase

A series of 3,6-disubstituted dihydropyrones were identified as inhibitors of human lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)-A. Structure activity relationships were explored and a series of 6,6-spiro analogs led to improvements in LDHA potency (IC₅₀ <350 nM). An X-ray crystal structure of an improved compound bound to human LDHA was obtained and it illustrated additional opportunities to enhance the potency of these compounds, resulting in the identification of 51 (IC₅₀ = 30 nM).     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of novel dual inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase and β-secretase

To explore novel effective drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a series of dual inhibitors of acetylcholineterase (AChE) and β-secretase (BACE-1) were designed based on the multi-target-directed ligands strategy. Among them, inhibitor 28 exhibited good dual potency in enzyme inhibitory potency assay (BACE-1: IC₅₀ = 0.567 μM; AChE: IC₅₀ = 1.83 μM), and also showed excellent inhibitory effects on Aβ production of APP transfected HEK293 cells (IC₅₀ = 98.7 nM) and mild protective effect against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced PC12 cell injury. Encouragingly, intracerebroventricular injection of 28 into amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic mice caused a 29% reduction of Aβ_1–40 production. Therefore, 28 was demonstrated as a good lead compound for the further study and more importantly, the strategy of AChE and BACE-1 dual inhibitors might be a promising direction for developing novel drugs for AD patients.     

7-Phenyl-imidazoquinolin-4(5H)-one derivatives as selective and orally available mPGES-1 inhibitors

To identify compounds with strong mPGES-1 inhibitory activity and clear in vitro ADME profile, we optimized the lead compound 1 by carrying our substitutions at the C(7)- and C(8)-positions. Replacement of the bromine atom of 1 with various substituents led to identification of the phenyl group as the best C(7)-substituent giving strong inhibitory activity with good in vitro ADME profile. Further SAR examination on both the C(2)- and the C(7)-phenyl groups provided compound 39 as the best candidate for further development. Compound 39 exhibited strong mPGES-1 inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 4.1 nM), potent cell-based functional activity (IC₅₀ = 33 nM) with good mPGES-1 selectivity (over 700-fold), excellent in vitro ADME profile, and good oral absorption in rat PK study.     

Discovery of potent dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors through pharmacophore hybridization and hit-to-lead optimization

A novel dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor hit (5, IC₅₀ = 0.86 μM) was structurally derived from our recently disclosed preclinical candidate 4 by replacing the cyanobenzyl with a butynyl based on pharmacophore hybridization. A hit-to-lead optimization effort was then initiated to improve its potency. Most N-substituted analogs exhibited good in vitro activity, and compound 18o (IC₅₀ = 1.55 nM) was identified to be a potent dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor with a significantly improved pharmacokinetic properties (bioavailablity: 41% vs 82.9%; T_1/2: 2 h vs 4.9 h).     

Identification and optimization of novel 2-(4-oxo-2-aryl-quinazolin-3(4H)-yl)acetamide vasopressin V3 (V1b) receptor antagonists

The discovery, synthesis, and preliminary structure–activity relationship (SAR) of a novel class of vasopressin V3 (V1b) receptor antagonists is described. Compound 1, identified by high throughput screening of a diverse, three million-member compound collection, prepared using ECLiPS? technology, had good activity in a V3 binding assay (IC₅₀ = 0.20 μM), but less than desirable physicochemical properties. Optimization of compound 1 yielded potent analogs 19 (IC₅₀ = 0.31 μM) and 24 (IC₅₀ = 0.12 μM) with improved drug-like characteristics.