Discovery of MK-1439, an orally bioavailable non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor potent against a wide range of resistant mutant HIV viruses.

The optimization of a novel series of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) led to the identification of pyridone 36. In cell cultures, this new NNRTI shows a superior potency profile against a range of wild type and clinically relevant, resistant mutant HIV viruses. The overall favorable preclinical pharmacokinetic profile of 36 led to the prediction of a once daily low dose regimen in human. NNRTI 36, now known as MK-1439, is currently in clinical development for the treatment of HIV infection.

Conversion of systemically-distributed triazole-based stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) uHTS hits into liver-targeted SCD inhibitors.

It has been demonstrated that once-a-day dosing of systemically-distributed SCD inhibitors leads to adverse events in eye and skin. Herein, we describe our efforts to convert a novel class of systemically-distributed potent triazole-based uHTS hits into liver-targeted SCD inhibitors as a means to circumvent chronic toxicity.

Training program-induced skeletal muscle adaptations in two men with myotonic dystrophy type 1.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this side product of another unpublished research project, was to address the effects of a training program on skeletal muscle adaptations of people with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), under a multifaceted perspective. The objective of this study was to look at training induced muscular adaptations by evaluating changes in muscle strength, myofiber cross-sectional area (CSA), proportion of myofiber types and with indirect markers of muscle growth [proportion of centrally nucleated fibers (CNF) and density of neutrophils and macrophages]. Two men with DM1 underwent a 12-week strength/endurance training program (18 sessions). Two muscle biopsies were obtained pre- and post-training program. RESULTS: Muscular adaptations occurred only in Patient 1, who attended 72% of the training sessions compared to 39% for Patient 2. These adaptations included increase in the CSA of type I and II myofibers and changes in their proportion. No changes were observed in the percentage of CNF, infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages and muscle strength. These results illustrate the capacity of skeletal muscle cells to undergo adaptations linked to muscle growth in DM1 patients. Also, these adaptations seem to be dependent on the attendance. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04001920 retrospectively registered on June 26th, 2019.

Synthesis of highly functionalized bicyclo[m.n.1]alkanones via a cationic reaction cascade.

[reaction: see text] The acid-mediated Prins/pinacol and the triple domino reactions Diels-Alder/Prins/pinacol were used to construct highly functionalized bicyclo[m.n.1]alkanones 19-29 and 33a-c possessing various ring sizes from ketals 8-18 and 31a-c in 44-96% yields. This approach proves to be highly efficient and reliable to generate high molecular complexity in a single step.

Phosphine-mediated [4 + 2] annulation of bis(enones): a Lewis base catalyzed "mock Diels-Alder" reaction.

Lewis-base-catalyzed cycloisomerization of bis(enones) to decalins has been demonstrated as an alternative to the traditional Lewis acid catalyzed Diels-Alder cycloaddition. In this process, a trialkylphosphine mediates both bond formation steps in two distinct catalytic cycles. The single-pot operation generates two carbon-carbon bonds and up to five contiguous stereocenters in one step, starting from achiral, aliphatic substrates; eight examples are provided. [reaction: see text]

Synthesis of 3-aminoisoxazoles via the addition-elimination of amines on 3-bromoisoxazolines.

A novel two-step procedure for the synthesis of 3-amino-5-substituted-isoxazoles is described. In the presence of a base, readily available 3-bromoisoxazolines react with amines to afford 3-aminoisoxazolines. An oxidation protocol was developed for these heterocycles to provide 3-aminoisoxazoles in consistently high yield.

Cu-catalyzed N-arylation of oxazolidinones: an efficient synthesis of the kappa-opioid receptor Agonist CJ-15161.

An efficient method for intermolecular N-arylation of oxazolidinones using catalytic copper in the presence of a bidentate ligand is reported. The conditions allow the use of copper and can be used to prepare enantiopure N-aryl beta-amino alcohols. A short, scalable synthesis of CJ-15,161 is also reported. The required amines were obtained from the precursor alpha-amino acids or, more conveniently, from the corresponding 1,2-amino alcohols.