BAY-9835: Discovery of the First Orally Bioavailable ADAMTS7 Inhibitor.

The matrix metalloprotease ADAMTS7 has been identified by multiple genome-wide association studies as being involved in the development of coronary artery disease. Subsequent research revealed the proteolytic function of the enzyme to be relevant for atherogenesis and restenosis after vessel injury. Based on a publicly known dual ADAMTS4/ADAMTS5 inhibitor, we have in silico designed an ADAMTS7 inhibitor of the catalytic domain, which served as a starting point for an optimization campaign. Initially our inhibitors suffered from low selectivity vs MMP12. An X-ray cocrystal structure inspired us to exploit amino acid differences in the binding site of MMP12 and ADAMTS7 to improve selectivity. Further optimization composed of employing 5-membered heteroaromatic groups as hydantoin substituents to become more potent on ADAMTS7. Finally, fine-tuning of DMPK properties yielded BAY-9835, the first orally bioavailable ADAMTS7 inhibitor. Further optimization to improve selectivity vs ADAMTS12 seems possible, and a respective starting point could be identified.

Antibody-Drug Conjugates with Pyrrole-Based KSP Inhibitors as the Payload Class.

The number of cytotoxic payload classes successfully employed in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) is still rather limited. The identification of ADC payloads with a novel mode of action will increase therapeutic options and potentially increase the therapeutic window. Herein, we describe the utilization of kinesin spindle protein inhibitors (KSPi) as a novel payload class providing highly potent ADCs against different targets, for instance HER-2 or TWEAKR/Fn14. Aspects of technical optimization include the development of different linker attachment sites, the stabilization of ADC linkage to avoid payload deconjugation and finally, the tailor-made design of active metabolites with a long lasting intracellular exposure in the tumor matching the mode of action of KSP inhibition. These KSPi-ADCs are highly potent and selective in vitro and demonstrate in vivo efficacy in a broad panel of tumor models including complete regressions in a patient-derived urothelial cancer model.