RESUMEN
Nav1.7 is an extensively investigated target for pain with a strong genetic link in humans, yet in spite of this effort, it remains challenging to identify efficacious, selective, and safe inhibitors. Here, we disclose the discovery and preclinical profile of GDC-0276 (1) and GDC-0310 (2), selective Nav1.7 inhibitors that have completed Phase 1 trials. Our initial search focused on close-in analogues to early compound 3. This resulted in the discovery of GDC-0276 (1), which possessed improved metabolic stability and an acceptable overall pharmacokinetics profile. To further derisk the predicted human pharmacokinetics and enable QD dosing, additional optimization of the scaffold was conducted, resulting in the discovery of a novel series of N-benzyl piperidine Nav1.7 inhibitors. Improvement of the metabolic stability by blocking the labile benzylic position led to the discovery of GDC-0310 (2), which possesses improved Nav selectivity and pharmacokinetic profile over 1.
Asunto(s)
Azetidinas/farmacología , Benzamidas/farmacología , Descubrimiento de Drogas , Canal de Sodio Activado por Voltaje NAV1.7/metabolismo , Sulfonamidas/farmacología , Bloqueadores del Canal de Sodio Activado por Voltaje/farmacología , Animales , Azetidinas/química , Azetidinas/farmacocinética , Benzamidas/química , Benzamidas/farmacocinética , Células Cultivadas , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Piperidinas/química , Piperidinas/farmacocinética , Piperidinas/farmacología , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Sulfonamidas/química , Sulfonamidas/farmacocinética , Bloqueadores del Canal de Sodio Activado por Voltaje/química , Bloqueadores del Canal de Sodio Activado por Voltaje/farmacocinéticaRESUMEN
The sodium channel NaV1.7 has emerged as a promising target for the treatment of pain based on strong genetic validation of its role in nociception. In recent years, a number of aryl and acyl sulfonamides have been reported as potent inhibitors of NaV1.7, with high selectivity over the cardiac isoform NaV1.5. Herein, we report on the discovery of a novel series of N-([1,2,4]triazolo[4,3- a]pyridin-3-yl)methanesulfonamides as selective NaV1.7 inhibitors. Starting with the crystal structure of an acyl sulfonamide, we rationalized that cyclization to form a fused heterocycle would improve physicochemical properties, in particular lipophilicity. Our design strategy focused on optimization of potency for block of NaV1.7 and human metabolic stability. Lead compounds 10, 13 (GNE-131), and 25 showed excellent potency, good in vitro metabolic stability, and low in vivo clearance in mouse, rat, and dog. Compound 13 also displayed excellent efficacy in a transgenic mouse model of induced pain.