Scaffold-hopping from xanthines to tricyclic guanines: A case study of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors.

Molecular modeling of unbound tricyclic guanine scaffolds indicated that they can serve as effective bioisosteric replacements of xanthines. This notion was further confirmed by a combination of X-ray crystallography and SAR studies, indicating that tricyclic guanine DPP4 inhibitors mimic the binding mode of xanthine inhibitors, exemplified by linagliptin. Realization of the bioisosteric relationship between these scaffolds potentially will lead to a wider application of cyclic guanines as xanthine replacements in drug discovery programs for a variety of biological targets. Newly designed DPP4 inhibitors achieved sub-nanomolar potency range and demonstrated oral activity in vivo in mouse glucose tolerance test.

Substituted 4-morpholine N-arylsulfonamides as γ-secretase inhibitors.

The design, synthesis, SAR, and biological profile of a substituted 4-morpholine sulfonamide series of γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) were described. In several cases, the resulting series of GSIs reduced CYP liabilities and improved γ-secretase inhibition activity compared to our previous research series. Selected compounds demonstrated significant reduction of amyloid-ß (Aß) after acute oral dosing in a transgenic animal model of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Discovery of a Novel, Potent Spirocyclic Series of γ-Secretase Inhibitors.

In the present paper, we described the design, synthesis, SAR, and biological profile of a novel spirocyclic sulfone series of γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) related to MRK-560. We utilized an additional spirocyclic ring system to stabilize the active chair conformation of the parent γ-secretase inhibitors. The resulting series is devoid of the CYP2C9 inhibition liability of MRK-560. A few representative analogs were assessed in a nontransgenic animal model of Alzheimer's disease (AD), demonstrating reduction of amyloid-ß (Aß) in the CNS after acute oral dosing. A spirocyclic phosphonate was identified as the optimal ring system for both potency and pharmacokinetics. Compared to GSIs studied in the clinic, representative spirocyclic phosphonate 18a(-) features improved selectivity for the inhibition of the PS-1 isoform of γ-secretase (33-fold vs PS-2), which may alleviate the adverse effect profile of the clinical GSIs.

In Vivo Characterization of a Novel γ-Secretase Inhibitor SCH 697466 in Rodents and Investigation of Strategies for Managing Notch-Related Side Effects.

Substantial evidence implicates ß-amyloid (Aß) peptides in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aß is produced by the proteolytic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein by ß- and γ-secretase suggesting that γ-secretase inhibition may provide therapeutic benefit for AD. Although many γ-secretase inhibitors have been shown to be potent at lowering Aß, some have also been shown to have side effects following repeated administration. All of these side effects can be attributed to altered Notch signaling, another γ-secretase substrate. Here we describe the in vivo characterization of the novel γ-secretase inhibitor SCH 697466 in rodents. Although SCH 697466 was effective at lowering Aß, Notch-related side effects in the intestine and thymus were observed following subchronic administration at doses that provided sustained and complete lowering of Aß. However, additional studies revealed that both partial but sustained lowering of Aßand complete but less sustained lowering of Aß were successful approaches for managing Notch-related side effects. Further, changes in several Notch-related biomarkers paralleled the side effect observations. Taken together, these studies demonstrated that, by carefully varying the extent and duration of Aß lowering by γ-secretase inhibitors, it is possible to obtain robust and sustained lowering of Aß without evidence of Notch-related side effects.

Synthesis and SAR study of tricyclic sulfones as γ-secretase inhibitors: C-6 and C-8 positions.

SAR exploration at C-6 and C-8 positions of the tricyclic sulfone series was carried out. Several functional groups were found to be well tolerated at C-6 and C-8 positions. Selective combination of C-6 and C-8 modification resulted in new tricyclic sulfone analogs with efficacy in in vivo mouse Aß(40) lowering model.

Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationship studies of N-arylsulfonyl morpholines as γ-secretase inhibitors.

Design and synthesis of cis-2,6-disubstituted N-arylsulfonyl morpholines as novel γ-secretase inhibitors for the potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is reported. Several different small alkyl groups are installed on the left-hand side to lower the CYP3A4 liability while maintaining excellent in vitro potency.

Novel orally active morpholine N-arylsulfonamides gamma-secretase inhibitors with low CYP 3A4 liability.

A new class of 2,6-disubstituted morpholine N-arylsulfonamide gamma-secretase inhibitors was designed based on the introduction of a morpholine core in lieu or piperidine in our lead series. This resulted in compounds with improved CYP 3A4 profiles. Several analogs that were active at lowering Abeta levels in Tg CRND8 mice upon oral administration were identified.

Solution-phase parallel synthesis of carbamates as gamma-secretase inhibitors.

A novel methodology for parallel liquid-phase synthesis of carbamates suitable for the preparation of sterically hindered molecules is disclosed. The alcohols are converted to 4-nitrophenylcarbonates, followed by the reaction with amines. Side product 4-nitrophenol and the unreacted excess amines are scavenged by appropriately chosen cleanup resins, selected among Amberlyst A26 (hydroxide form) and macroporous sulfonic acid (MP-TsOH) or polystyrene isocyanate (PS-NCO) and polystyrene benzaldehyde (PS-PhCHO) resins. As a part of a medicinal chemistry program directed toward finding gamma-secretase inhibitors as prospective drug candidates for Alzheimer's disease, a 6 x 24 library of carbamates was prepared. Out of 144 library members, 133 had a purity for the targeted compound of 80% or better. The prepared compounds were assessed in the gamma-secretase inhibition assay and demonstrated activity with IC 50 values in the range from 1 microM to 5 nM, with the activity of 7 compounds being better than 10 nM.

Discovery of amide and heteroaryl isosteres as carbamate replacements in a series of orally active gamma-secretase inhibitors.

The design of amide and heteroaryl amide isosteres as replacements for the carbamate substructure in previously disclosed 2,6-disubstituted piperidine N-arylsulfonamides is described. In several cases, amides lessened CYP liabilities in this class of gamma-secretase inhibitors. Selected compounds showed significant reduction of Abeta levels upon oral dosing in a transgenic murine model of Alzheimer's disease.

Discovery of 2,4,6-trisubstituted N-arylsulfonyl piperidines as gamma-secretase inhibitors.

Development of cis-2,4,6-trisubstituted piperidine N-arylsulfonamides as gamma-secretase inhibitors for the potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is reported.

Small conformationally restricted piperidine N-arylsulfonamides as orally active gamma-secretase inhibitors.

The design and development of a new class of small 2,6-disubstituted piperidine N-arylsulfonamide gamma-secretase inhibitors is reported. Lowering molecular weight including the use of conformational constraint led to compounds with less CYP 3A4 liability compared to early leads. Compounds active orally in lowering Abeta levels in Tg CRND8 mice were identified as potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

Synthesis of novel bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane and bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane derivatives as melanin-concentrating hormone receptor R1 antagonists.

To address the hERG liability of MCHR1 antagonists such as 1 and 2, new analogs such as 4 and 5 that incorporated a polar heteroaryl group were designed and synthesized. Biological evaluation confirmed that these new analogs retained MCH R1 activity with greatly attenuated hERG liabilities as indicated in the Rb efflux assay.

SAR study of bicyclo[4.1.0]heptanes as melanin-concentrating hormone receptor R1 antagonists: taming hERG.

To improve the ex vivo potency of MCH inhibitor 1a and to address its hERG liability, a structure-activity study was carried out, focusing on three regions of the lead structure. Introduction of new side chains with basic nitrogen improved in vitro and ex vivo bindings. Many potent compounds with K(i)<10nM were discovered (compounds 6a-j) and several compounds (14-17) had excellent ex vivo binding at 6h and 24h. Attenuating the basicity of nitrogen on the side chain, and in particular, introduction of a polar group such as aminomethyl on the distal phenyl ring significantly lowered the hERG activity. Further replacement of the distal phenyl group with heteroaryl groups in the cyclohexene series provided compounds such as 28l with excellent ex vivo activity with much reduced hERG liability.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of tetrahydroquinoline and pyrrolidine sulfonamide carbamates as gamma-secretase inhibitors.

Gamma-secretase is a key enzyme involved in the production of beta-amyloid peptides which are believed to play a critical role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). As such, inhibition of gamma-secretase has been an attractive approach to AD therapy. In this paper, the design, synthesis, and evaluation of tetrahydroquinoline and pyrrolidine sulfonamide carbamates as gamma-secretase inhibitors are described.

Discovery of gamma-secretase inhibitors efficacious in a transgenic animal model of Alzheimer's disease.

Attachment of the cyclopropylcarbamate group to the piperidine core of gamma-secretase inhibitors leads to a dramatic increase of their in vitro potency. Strategies for subsequent improvement of the in vivo pharmacokinetic profile of the series are discussed. Resulting compounds significantly reduce Abeta levels in TgCRND8 mice after a single PO dosing at 30 mpk.

2,6-Disubstituted N-arylsulfonyl piperidines as gamma-secretase inhibitors.

A novel piperidine series of gamma-secretase inhibitors, potentially useful for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, is disclosed. SAR investigation revealed the requirement for cis-stereochemistry of the substituents attached to the core, which resulted in the chair-like diaxial conformation of the piperidine ring. The series was optimized to provide inhibitors with IC(50)'s in the single-digit nanomolar range. Absolute stereochemistry of the active enantiomer was assigned.

Tetrahydroquinoline sulfonamides as gamma-secretase inhibitors.

The development of a novel series of tetrahydroquinoline-derived gamma-secretase inhibitors for the potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease is described.

Studies to investigate the in vivo therapeutic window of the gamma-secretase inhibitor N2-[(2S)-2-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxyethanoyl]-N1-[(7S)-5-methyl-6-oxo-6,7-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b,d]azepin-7-yl]-L-alaninamide (LY411,575) in the CRND8 mouse.

Accumulation of amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) is considered a key step in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease. Abeta is produced by sequential cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein by beta- and gamma-secretase enzymes. Consequently, inhibition of gamma-secretase provides a promising therapeutic approach to treat Alzheimer's disease. Preclinically, several gamma-secretase inhibitors have been shown to reduce plasma and brain Abeta, although they also produce mechanism-based side effects, including thymus atrophy and intestinal goblet cell hyperplasia. The present studies sought to establish an efficient screen for determining the therapeutic window of gamma-secretase inhibitors and to test various means of maximizing this window. Six-day oral administration of the gamma-secretase inhibitor N(2)-[(2S)-2-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxyethanoyl]-N(1)-[(7S)-5-methyl-6-oxo-6,7-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b,d]azepin-7-yl]-l-alaninamide (LY411,575) reduced cortical Abeta(40) in young (preplaque) transgenic CRND8 mice (ED(50) approximately 0.6 mg/kg) and produced significant thymus atrophy and intestinal goblet cell hyperplasia at higher doses (>3 mg/kg). The therapeutic window was similar after oral and subcutaneous administration and in young and aged CRND8 mice. Both the thymus and intestinal side effects were reversible after a 2-week washout period. Three-week treatment with 1 mg/kg LY411,575 reduced cortical Abeta(40) by 69% without inducing intestinal effects, although a previously unreported change in coat color was observed. These studies demonstrate that the 3- to 5-fold therapeutic window for LY411,575 can be exploited to obtain reduction in Abeta levels without induction of intestinal side effects, that intermittent treatment could be used to mitigate side effects, and that a 6-day dosing paradigm can be used to rapidly determine the therapeutic window of novel gamma-secretase inhibitors.

Bicyclo[3.1.0]hexyl urea melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) receptor-1 antagonists: impacting hERG liability via aryl modifications.

Herein, we report the discovery of an effective strategy to modulate liabilities related to affinity of previously disclosed bicyclohexane MCHR-1 antagonists for the hERG channel. This paper describes one of several strategies incorporated to limit hERG binding via modifications of a terminal aryl group in an otherwise promising bicyclohexyl urea series.

Discovery of orally efficacious melanin-concentrating hormone receptor-1 antagonists as antiobesity agents. Synthesis, SAR, and biological evaluation of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexyl ureas.

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a cyclic, nonadecapeptide expressed in the CNS of all vertebrates that regulates feeding behavior and energy homeostasis via interaction with the central melanocortin system. Regulation of this interaction results in modulation of food intake and body weight gain, demonstrating significant therapeutic potential for the treatment of obesity. The MCH-1 receptor (MCH-R1) has been identified as a key target in MCH regulation, as small molecule antagonists of MCH-R1 have demonstrated activity in vivo. Herein, we document our research in a bicyclo[3.1.0]hexyl urea series with particular emphasis on structure-activity relationships and optimization of receptor occupancy, measured both in vitro and via an ex vivo binding assay following an oral dosing regimen. Several compounds have been tested in vivo and exhibit oral efficacy in relevant acute rodent feeding models. In particular, 24u has proven efficacious in chronic rodent models of obesity, showing a statistically significant reduction in food intake and body weight over a 28 day study.