A quantitative systems pharmacology modeling platform for evaluating triglyceride profiles in patients with high triglycerides receiving evinacumab.

A model to quantitatively characterize the effect of evinacumab, an investigational monoclonal antibody against angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) on lipid trafficking is needed. A quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) approach was developed to predict the transient responses of different triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoprotein particles in response to evinacumab administration. A previously published hepatic lipid model was modified to address specific queries relevant to the mechanism of evinacumab and its effect on lipid metabolism. Modifications included the addition of intermediate-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein compartments to address the modulation of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity by evinacumab, ANGPTL3 biosynthesis and clearance, and a target-mediated drug disposition model. A sensitivity analysis guided the creation of virtual patients (VPs). The drug-free QSP model was found to agree well with clinical data published with the initial hepatic liver model over simulations ranging from 20 to 365 days in duration. The QSP model, including the interaction between LPL and ANGPTL3, was validated against clinical data for total evinacumab, total ANGPTL3, and TG concentrations as well as inhibition of apolipoprotein CIII. Free ANGPTL3 concentration and LPL activity were also modeled. In total, seven VPs were created; the lipid levels of the VPs were found to match the range of responses observed in evinacumab clinical trial data. The QSP model results agreed with clinical data for various subjects and was shown to characterize known TG physiology and drug effects in a range of patient populations with varying levels of TGs, enabling hypothesis testing of evinacumab effects on lipid metabolism.

Acyl hydrazides as acyl donors for the synthesis of diaryl and aryl alkyl ketones.

In this communication we describe a novel strategy for the formation of valuable diaryl and aryl alkyl ketones from acyl hydrazides. A wide variety of ketones are prepared and the mild reaction conditions allow for the use of a range of functionalities, especially in the synthesis of diaryl ketones.

Towards the enantioselective synthesis of (-)-euonyminol--preparation of a fully functionalised lower-rim model.

The development of a stereoselective total synthesis of ß-dihydroagarofuran 4 is described. This compound contains the same oxygenation pattern on its 'lower-rim' as found in the natural sesquiterpene (-)-euonyminol (1) and it is expected that the route described should be applicable to the synthesis of that complex natural product. (-)-Euonyminol is found as the core scaffold of a series of complex macrodilactone sesquiterpenoids isolated from the Celastraceae which possess interesting biological activities (e.g. anti-HIV activity). The synthetic route builds upon an epoxidative asymmetric desymmetrisation of meso-diallylic alcohol 10 that we have reported previously. It features a lactate Ireland-Claisen rearrangement to establish the quaternary stereocentre at C11 (27→28a) and an unusual dealkylative intramolecular epoxide-opening by the C11 methyl ether to establish the tetrahydrofuranyl C-ring of the ß-dihydroagarofuran skeleton (35→36).