Discovery of (R)-4-cyclopropyl-7,8-difluoro-5-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylsulfonyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinoline (ELND006) and (R)-4-cyclopropyl-8-fluoro-5-(6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-ylsulfonyl)-4,5-dihydro-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinoline (ELND007): metabolically stable γ-secretase Inhibitors that selectively inhibit the production of amyloid-ß over Notch.

Herein, we describe our strategy to design metabolically stable γ-secretase inhibitors which are selective for inhibition of Aß generation over Notch. We highlight our synthetic strategy to incorporate diversity and chirality. Compounds 30 (ELND006) and 34 (ELND007) both entered human clinical trials. The in vitro and in vivo characteristics for these two compounds are described. A comparison of inhibition of Aß generation in vivo between 30, 34, Semagacestat 41, Begacestat 42, and Avagacestat 43 in mice is made. 30 lowered Aß in the CSF of healthy human volunteers.

Amino-caprolactam γ-secretase inhibitors showing potential for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Herein we describe the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of amino-caprolactam analogs derived from amino-caprolactam benzene sulfonamide 1, highlighting affects on the potency of γ-secretase inhibition, selectivity for the inhibition of APP versus Notch processing by γ-secretase and selected pharmakokinetic properties. Amino-caprolactams that are efficacious in reducing the cortical Aß(x-40) levels in FVB mice via a single 100 mpk IP dose are highlighted.

Design and synthesis of a novel, orally active, brain penetrant, tri-substituted thiophene based JNK inhibitor.

The SAR of a series of tri-substituted thiophene JNK3 inhibitors is described. By optimizing both the N-aryl acetamide region of the inhibitor and the 4-position of the thiophene we obtained single digit nanomolar compounds, such as 47, which demonstrated an in vivo effect on JNK activity when dosed orally in our kainic acid mouse model as measured by phospho-c-jun reduction.

Amyloid precursor protein selective gamma-secretase inhibitors for treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Inhibition of gamma-secretase presents a direct target for lowering Aß production in the brain as a therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, gamma-secretase is known to process multiple substrates in addition to amyloid precursor protein (APP), most notably Notch, which has limited clinical development of inhibitors targeting this enzyme. It has been postulated that APP substrate selective inhibitors of gamma-secretase would be preferable to non-selective inhibitors from a safety perspective for AD therapy. METHODS: In vitro assays monitoring inhibitor potencies at APP γ-site cleavage (equivalent to Aß40), and Notch ε-site cleavage, in conjunction with a single cell assay to simultaneously monitor selectivity for inhibition of Aß production vs. Notch signaling were developed to discover APP selective gamma-secretase inhibitors. In vivo efficacy for acute reduction of brain Aß was determined in the PDAPP transgene model of AD, as well as in wild-type FVB strain mice. In vivo selectivity was determined following seven days x twice per day (b.i.d.) treatment with 15 mg/kg/dose to 1,000 mg/kg/dose ELN475516, and monitoring brain Aß reduction vs. Notch signaling endpoints in periphery. RESULTS: The APP selective gamma-secretase inhibitors ELN318463 and ELN475516 reported here behave as classic gamma-secretase inhibitors, demonstrate 75- to 120-fold selectivity for inhibiting Aß production compared with Notch signaling in cells, and displace an active site directed inhibitor at very high concentrations only in the presence of substrate. ELN318463 demonstrated discordant efficacy for reduction of brain Aß in the PDAPP compared with wild-type FVB, not observed with ELN475516. Improved in vivo safety of ELN475516 was demonstrated in the 7d repeat dose study in wild-type mice, where a 33% reduction of brain Aß was observed in mice terminated three hours post last dose at the lowest dose of inhibitor tested. No overt in-life or post-mortem indications of systemic toxicity, nor RNA and histological end-points indicative of toxicity attributable to inhibition of Notch signaling were observed at any dose tested. CONCLUSIONS: The discordant in vivo activity of ELN318463 suggests that the potency of gamma-secretase inhibitors in AD transgenic mice should be corroborated in wild-type mice. The discovery of ELN475516 demonstrates that it is possible to develop APP selective gamma-secretase inhibitors with potential for treatment for AD.

Design and synthesis of disubstituted thiophene and thiazole based inhibitors of JNK.

From high throughput screening, we discovered compound 1, the prototype for a series of disubstituted thiophene inhibitors of JNK which is selective towards closely related MAP kinases p38 and Erk2. Herein we describe the evolution of these compounds to a novel class of thiophene and thiazole JNK inhibitors that retain favorable solubility, permeability, and P-gp properties for development as CNS agents for treatment of neurodegeneration. Compound 61 demonstrated JNK3 IC(50)=77 nM and retained the excellent broad kinase selectivity observed for the series.

Discovery of sulfonamide-pyrazole gamma-secretase inhibitors.

Utilizing a pharmacophore hypothesis, previously described gamma-secretase inhibiting HTS hits were evolved into novel tricyclic sulfonamide-pyrazoles, with high in vitro potency, good brain penetration, low metabolic stability, and high clearance.

Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationship of novel orally efficacious pyrazole/sulfonamide based dihydroquinoline gamma-secretase inhibitors.

In this Letter, we report our strategy to design potent and metabolically stable gamma-secretase inhibitors that are efficacious in reducing the cortical Abetax-40 levels in FVB mice via a single PO dose.

Identification of gamma-secretase inhibitor potency determinants on presenilin.

Production of amyloid beta peptides (Abeta), followed by their deposition in the brain as amyloid plaques, contributes to the hallmark pathology of Alzheimer disease. The enzymes responsible for production of Abeta, BACE1 and gamma-secretase, are therapeutic targets for treatment of Alzheimer disease. Two presenilin (PS) homologues, referred to as PS1 and PS2, comprise the catalytic core of gamma-secretase. In comparing presenilin selectivity of several classes of gamma-secretase inhibitors, we observed that sulfonamides in general tend to be more selective for inhibition of PS1-comprising gamma-secretase, as exemplified by ELN318463 and BMS299897. We employed a combination of chimeric constructs and point mutants to identify structural determinants for PS1-selective inhibition by ELN318463. Our studies identified amino acid residues Leu(172), Thr(281), and Leu(282) in PS1 as necessary for PS1-selective inhibition by ELN318463. These residues also contributed in part to the PS1-selective inhibition by BMS299897. Alanine scanning mutagenesis of areas flanking Leu(172), Thr(281), and Leu(282) identified additional amino acids that affect inhibitor potency of not only these sulfonamides but also nonsulfonamide inhibitors, without affecting Abeta production and presenilin endoproteolysis. Interestingly, many of these same residues have been identified previously to be important for gamma-secretase function. These findings implicate TM3 and a second region near the carboxyl terminus of PS1 aminoterminal fragment in mediating the activity of gamma-secretase inhibitors. Our observations demonstrate that PS-selective inhibitors of gamma-secretase are feasible, and such inhibitors may allow differential inhibition of Abeta peptide production and Notch signaling.

Preparation and optimization of a series of 3-carboxamido-5-phenacylaminopyrazole bradykinin B1 receptor antagonists.

The B1 receptor is an attractive target for the treatment of pain and inflammation. A series of 3-carboxamido-5-phenacylamino pyrazole B1 receptor antagonists are described that exhibit good potency against B1 and high selectivity over B2. Initially, N-unsubstituted pyrazoles were studied, but these compounds suffered from extensive glucuronidation in primates. This difficulty could be surmounted by the use of N-substituted pyrazoles. Optimization efforts culminated in compound 41, which has high receptor potency and metabolic stability.