Novel substituted pyrimidines as HCV replication (replicase) inhibitors.

Compound 1 was identified as a HCV replication inhibitor from screening/early SAR triage. Potency improvement was achieved via modulation of substituent on the 5-azo linkage. Due to potential toxicological concern, the 5-azo linkage was replaced with 5-alkenyl or 5-alkynyl moiety. Analogs containing the 5-alkynyl linkage were found to be potent inhibitors of HCV replication. Further evaluation identified compounds 53 and 63 with good overall profile, in terms of replicon potency, selectivity and in vivo characteristics. Initial target engagement studies suggest that these novel carbanucleoside-like derivatives may inhibit the HCV replication complex (replicase).

Pyridofuran substituted pyrimidine derivatives as HCV replication (replicase) inhibitors.

Introduction of nitrogen atom into the benzene ring of a previously identified HCV replication (replicase) benzofuran inhibitor 2, resulted in the discovery of the more potent pyridofuran analogue 5. Subsequent introduction of small alkyl and alkoxy ligands into the pyridine ring resulted in further improvements in replicon potency. Replacement of the 4-chloro moiety on the pyrimidine core with a methyl group, and concomitant monoalkylation of the C-2 amino moiety resulted in the identification of several inhibitors with desirable characteristics. Inhibitor 41, from the monosubstituted pyridofuran and inhibitor 50 from the disubstituted series displayed excellent potency, selectivity (GAPDH/MTS CC(50)) and PK parameters in all species studied, while the selectivity in the thymidine incorporation assay (DNA·CC(50)) was low.

II. Novel HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitors: discovery of indole C2 acyl sulfonamides.

Development of SAR at the C2 position of indole lead 1, a palm site inhibitor of HCV NS5B polymerase (NS5B IC(50)=0.053µM, replicon EC(50)=4.8µM), is described. Initial screening identified an acyl sulfonamide moiety as an isostere for the C2 carboxylic acid group. Further SAR investigation resulted in identification of acyl sufonamide analog 7q (NS5B IC(50)=0.039µM, replicon EC(50)=0.011µM) with >100-fold improved replicon activity.

P4 capped amides and lactams as HCV NS3 protease inhibitors with improved potency and DMPK profile.

SAR studies on the extension of P3 unit of Boceprevir (1, SCH 503034) with amides and lactams and their synthesis is described. Extensive SAR studies resulted in the identification of 36 bearing 4, 4-dimethyl lactam as the new P4 cap unit with improved potency (K(i)( *)=15nM, EC 90=70nM) and pharmacokinetic properties (Rat AUC (PO)=3.52microMh) compared to 1.

Potent aza-peptide derived inhibitors of HCV NS3 protease.

Chronic hepatitis C infection is the primary cause for cirrhosis of the liver and hepatocellular carcinoma leading to liver failure and transplantation. The etiological agent hepatitis C virus produces a single positive strand RNA that is processed further with the help of NS3 serine protease to produce mature virus. Inhibition of this protease can potentially be used to develop drugs for HCV infections. Boceprevir is a ketoamide derived novel inhibitor of HCV NS3 protease that has been progressed to clinical trials and proven to be efficacious in humans. Herein, we report our efforts in identifying an aza-peptide derivative as a potential second generation compound, that lacks electrophilic ketoamide group and are potent in enzyme and replicon assay.

Potent inhibitors of HCV-NS3 protease derived from boronic acids.

Chronic hepatitis C infection is the leading causes for cirrhosis of the liver and hepatocellular carcinoma, leading to liver failure and liver transplantation. The etiological agent, HCV virus produces a single positive strand of RNA that is processed with the help of serine protease NS3 to produce mature virus. Inhibition of NS3 protease can be potentially used to develop effective drugs for HCV infections. Numerous efforts are now underway to develop potent inhibitors of HCV protease that contain ketoamides as serine traps. Herein we report the synthesis of a series of potent inhibitors that contain a boronic acid as a serine trap. The activity of these compounds were optimized to 200pM. X-ray structure of compound 17 bound to NS3 protease is also discussed.

Discovery of novel P3 sulfonamide-capped inhibitors of HCV NS3 protease. Inhibitors with improved cellular potencies.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is the major cause of chronic liver disease, leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, which affects more than 200 million people worldwide. Currently the only therapeutic regimens are subcutaneous interferon-alpha or PEG-interferon alone or in combination with oral ribavirin. Although combination therapy is reasonably successful with the majority of genotypes, its efficacy against the predominant genotype (genotype 1) is moderate at best, with only approximately 50% of the patients showing sustained virological response. We recently disclosed the discovery of Boceprevir, SCH 503034 (1), which is a novel, potent, selective, orally bioavailable NS3 protease inhibitor that has been shown to be efficacious in humans and is currently undergoing clinical trials. As second generation compounds, we have further explored various novel structures with the aim of improving enzyme and cellular binding activities of 1. Herein, we disclose our efforts toward the identification of a novel P(3) sulfonamide-capped inhibitor that demonstrated improved binding and cellular activity compared to 1. X-ray structure of one of these inhibitors bound to the enzyme revealed a hydrogen bond of the P(3) sulfonamide group to Cys-159 which resulted in improved binding and cellular potency.