Scalable Asymmetric Synthesis of the All Cis Triamino Cyclohexane Core of BMS-813160.

BMS-813160 is a pharmaceutical entity currently in development at Bristol Myers Squibb. Its defining structural feature is a unique chiral all cis triamino cyclohexane core. Medicinal and process chemistry groups at BMS have previously published synthesis strategies for chemotypes similar to the target molecule, but a streamlined approach amenable for longer-term supply was necessary. A new synthetic route was conceptualized, experimentally investigated, and determined to meet the criteria for efficiency that addressed key limitations of previous approaches. Adopting/optimizing the Trost asymmetric allylic amination desymmetrization methodology was a key tool used to produce a synthesis intermediate with high optical purity. In addition, developing a tandem Mannich-aza-Michael reaction to obviate the need for a Curtis/acylation sequence and a novel reductive amination/thermal lactamization to circumvent Freidinger-type pyrrolidone preparation are some of the synthesis improvements that enabled access to the target molecule to fulfill long-term supply requirements.

Enantioselective Synthesis of a γ-Secretase Modulator via Vinylogous Dynamic Kinetic Resolution.

Two efficient asymmetric routes to γ-secretase modulator BMS-932481, under investigation for Alzheimer's disease, have been developed. The key step for the first route involves a challenging enantioselective hydrogenation of an unfunctionalized trisubstituted alkene to establish the benzylic stereocenter, representing a very rare case of achieving high selectivity on a complex substrate. The second route demonstrates the first example of a vinylogous dynamic kinetic resolution (VDKR) ketone reduction, where the carbonyl and the racemizable stereocenter are not contiguous, but are conjugated through a pyrimidine ring. Not only did this transformation require both catalyst and substrate control to correctly establish the two stereocenters, but it also necessitated that the nonadjacent benzylic center of the ketone substrate be more acidic than that of the alcohol product to make the process dynamic. DFT computations aided the design of this novel VDKR pathway by reliably predicting the relative acidities of the intermediates involved.

N-N migration of a carbamoyl group in a pyrazole derivative revealed by NMR.

During a synthesis of 5-amino-4-(6-methoxy-2-methylpyridin-3-yl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxamide (see Scheme 1), a side-reaction produced 3-amino-4-(6-methoxy-2-methylpyridin-3-yl)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxamide as a by-product that forms an equilibrium with the target-compound. The structure of the by-product was elucidated by the interpretation of 1D and 2D (HMQC, HMBC) NMR data where (1)H-(15)N HMBC correlations revealed the position of carbamoyl group attachment on the pyrazole. Comparison of structures of the target-compound and the by-product showed that the latter resulted from N-N migration of the carbamoyl group in the target-compound.

Semi-preparative LC-SPE-cryoflow NMR for impurity identifications: use of mother liquor as a better source of impurities.

Unambiguous structural elucidation of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) impurities is a particularly challenging necessity of pharmaceutical development, particularly if the impurities are low level (0.1% level). In many cases, this requires acquiring high-quality NMR data on a pure sample of each impurity. High-quality, high signal-to-noise (S/N) one- and two-dimensional NMR data can be obtained using liquid chromatography-solid phase extraction-cryoflow NMR (LC-SPE-cryoflow NMR) with a combination of semi-preparative column for separation and mother liquor as a source of concentrated impurities. These NMR data, in conjunction with mass spectrometry data, allowed for quick and unambiguous structural elucidations of four impurities found at low level in the crystallized API but found at appreciable levels in the mother liquor that was used as the source for these impurities. These data show that semi-preparative columns can be used at lower than ideal flow rates to facilitate trapping of HPLC components for LC-SPE-cryoflow NMR analysis without compromising chromatographic resolution. Also, despite the complex chromatography encountered with the use of mother liquor as a source of impurities, acceptably pure analytes were obtained for acquiring NMR data for unambiguous structure elucidations.

NMR spectroscopy as a characterization tool enabling biologics formulation development.

This review highlights recent advancements in using high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as a characterization tool to expedite biologics formulation development, meeting a current need in the biopharmaceutical industry. Conformational changes of protein therapeutics during formulation development can result in various protein-protein and protein-excipient interactions, which can lead to physical aggregation and/or chemical degradation. Innovative analytical techniques that allow studying protein integrity with high specificity during formulation development are urgently needed in order to assess protein formulation stability and mitigate product quality risks. Solution NMR spectroscopy is emerging as a powerful analytical tool for biophysical characterization of protein therapeutics. For instance, one-dimensional (1D) NMR has been employed in high sensitivity monitoring of monoclonal antibody (mAb) structural changes and protein-excipient interactions in parenteral formulations, demonstrating it as a potential tool for formulation screening. 2D NMR, such as ALSOFAST-[1H-13C]-HMQC experiments, on the other hand, offer superior capability to detect higher order structural (HOS) changes of mAbs in formulated solutions and their interactions with excipients. These determinations need to be achieved in actual formulations, where proteins of natural abundance are typically at low concentrations depending on the actual dose regimen. Studying proteins with natural abundance in the presence of hundredfold more concentrated excipients makes NMR studies of proteins in formulations extremely difficult considering the sample matrix interferences. Thus, successfully suppressing buffer signals while enhancing the protein signals of interest by optimizing the instrument specific parameters is critically important. Given the large size of typical mAbs, with a molecular weight (MW) ranging from 100 to 240 kDa, coupled with low protein concentrations, data collection becomes a demanding task in terms of NMR instrument time. As such, the biopharmaceutical industry is facing the common challenge of developing innovative NMR approaches to enhance signal detection (sensitivity and selectivity) and reduce experimental/instrument time. XL-ALSOFAST -[1H-13C]-HMQC was recently developed for tackling high MW proteins (up to 240 kDa) with much improved sensitivity and selectivity. We at BMS have implemented the XL-ALSOFAST experiment utilizing its high sensitivity and superior artifact suppression to successfully analyze formulations of several investigational proteins. In this manuscript we will discuss the general utility of this superior tool for studying therapeutic proteins across a range of molecular sizes and buffers. We envisage that this manuscript will serve as a primer to expand the role of NMR spectroscopy as a characterization tool supporting biologics formulation development.

Investigation of Air-Liquid Interface Rings in Buffer Preparation Vessels: the Role of Slip Agents.

Air-liquid interface rings were observed on the side walls of stainless steel buffer vessels after certain downstream buffer preparations. Those rings were resistant to regular cleaning-in-place procedures but could be removed by manual means. To investigate the root cause of this issue, multiple analytical techniques, including liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection (LC-MS/MS), high-resolution accurate mass liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy have been employed to characterize the chemical composition of air-liquid interface rings. The main component of air-liquid interface rings was determined to be slip agents, and the origin of the slip agents can be traced back to their presence on raw material packaging liners. Slip agents are commonly used in plastic industry as additives to reduce the coefficient of friction during the manufacturing process of thin films. To mitigate this air-liquid interface ring issue, an alternate liner with low slip agent was identified and implemented with minimal additional cost. We have also proactively tested the packaging liners of other raw materials currently used in our downstream buffer preparation to ensure slip agent levels are appropriate. LAY ABSTRACT: Air-liquid interface rings were observed on the side walls of stainless steel buffer vessels after certain downstream buffer preparations. To investigate the root cause of this issue, multiple analytical techniques have been employed to characterize the chemical composition of air-liquid interface rings. The main components of air-liquid interface rings were determined to be slip agents, which are common additives used in the manufacturing process of thin films. The origin of the slip agents can be traced back to their presence on certain raw material packaging liners. To mitigate this air-liquid interface ring issue, an alternate liner with low slip agent was identified and implemented.