Structural and Kinetic Characterization of Diazabicyclooctanes as Dual Inhibitors of Both Serine-ß-Lactamases and Penicillin-Binding Proteins.

Avibactam is a diazabicyclooctane ß-lactamase inhibitor possessing outstanding but incomplete efficacy against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens in combination with ß-lactam antibiotics. Significant pharmaceutical investment in generating derivatives of avibactam warrants a thorough characterization of their activity. We show here through structural and kinetic analysis that select diazabicyclooctane derivatives display effective but varied inhibition of two clinically important ß-lactamases (CTX-M-15 and OXA-48). Furthermore, these derivatives exhibit considerable antimicrobial activity (MIC ≤ 2 µg/mL) against clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter spp. Imaging of cell phenotype along with structural and biochemical experiments unambiguously demonstrate that this activity, in E. coli, is a result of targeting penicillin-binding protein 2. Our results suggest that structure-activity relationship studies for the purpose of drug discovery must consider both ß-lactamases and penicillin-binding proteins as targets. We believe that this approach will yield next-generation combination or monotherapies with an expanded spectrum of activity against currently untreatable Gram-negative pathogens.

Discovery of a series of 2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridines as ALK5 inhibitors with potential utility in the prevention of dermal scarring.

A series of 2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridines are described as inhibitors of ALK5 (TGFß receptor I kinase). Modeling compounds in the ALK5 kinase domain enabled some optimization of potency via substitutions on the pyrazole core. One of these compounds PF-03671148 gave a dose dependent reduction in TGFß induced fibrotic gene expression in human fibroblasts. A similar reduction in fibrotic gene expression was observed when PF-03671148 was applied topically in a rat wound repair model. Thus these compounds have potential utility for the prevention of dermal scarring.

Design, synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation of phenoxy pyridyl derivatives as dual norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and 5-HT1A partial agonists.

Preclinical studies suggest that compounds with dual norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) and 5-HT(1A) partial agonist properties may provide an important new therapeutic approach to ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Reported herein is the discovery of a novel chemical series with a favorable NRI and 5-HT(1A) partial agonist pharmacological profile as well as excellent selectivity for the norepinephrine transporter over the dopamine transporter.

(1R,2S)-4-(2-cyano-cyclohexyl-oxy)-2-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile, a potent androgen receptor antagonist for stimulating hair growth and reducing sebum production.

Synthesis, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetic profiles of (1R, 2S)-4-(2-cyano-cyclohexyl-oxy)-2-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile are reported. This compound demonstrated remarkable potency for stimulating hair growth in a male C3H mouse model as well as reducing sebum production in the male Syrian hamster ear model.

Synthesis and SAR of novel conformationally-restricted oxazolidinones possessing gram-positive and fastidious gram-negative antibacterial activity. Part 1: Substituted pyrazoles.

A novel series of conformationally-restricted oxazolidinones was synthesized which possess a fused pyrazole ring substituted with various alkyl, aryl and heteroaryl substituents. A number of analogs exhibited potent activity against both gram-positive and fastidious gram-negative organisms.

Discovery of 6-ethyl-2,4-diaminopyrimidine-based small molecule renin inhibitors.

Novel 2,4-diaminopyrimidine-based small molecule renin inhibitors are disclosed. Through high throughput screening, parallel synthesis, X-ray crystallography, and structure based drug design, we have developed the first non-chiral, non-peptidic, small molecular template to possess moderate potency against renin. The designed compounds consist of a novel 6-ethyl-5-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-7-yl)pyrimidine-2,4-diamine ring system that exhibit moderate potency (IC(50): 91-650 nM) against renin while remaining 'Rule-of-five' compliant.

Synthesis and structure-activity studies of novel benzocycloheptanone oxazolidinone antibacterial agents.

We describe a novel class of benzocycloheptanone derived oxazolidinone antibacterial agents. The synthesis and antibacterial activities with structure variation is discussed.

The discovery of glycine and related amino acid-based factor Xa inhibitors.

Herein, we report on the identification of three potent glycine and related amino acid-based series of FXa inhibitors containing a neutral P1 chlorophenyl pharmacophore. A X-ray crystal structure has shown that constrained glycine derivatives with optimized N-substitution can greatly increase hydrophobic interactions in the FXa active site. Also, the substitution of a pyridone ring for a phenylsulfone ring in the P4 sidechain resulted in an inhibitor with enhanced oral bioavailability.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of penam sulfones as inhibitors of beta-lactamases.

The chemical synthesis of a series of new penam sulfone derivatives bearing a 2beta-substituted-oxyimino and -hydrazone substituents, their beta-lactamase inhibitory properties against selected enzymes representing class A and C beta-lactamases are reported. The oxime containing penam sulfones strongly inhibited the Escherichia coli TEM-1 and Klebsiella pneumoniae cefotaximase (CTX-1) enzymes, but moderately inhibited the Pseudomonas aeruginosa 46012 cephalosporinase; while the 2beta-substituted-hydrazone derivatives were generally less active against these enzymes. Furthermore, most of the inhibitors enhanced the antibacterial activities of piperacillin (PIP) and ceftazidime (CAZ) particularly against TEM-1 and CTX-1 producing bacterial strains.