Syntheses of novel myxopyronin B analogs as potential inhibitors of bacterial RNA polymerase.

Based upon observations from our initial findings, additional myxopyronin B analogs have been prepared and tested for in vitro inhibitory activity against DNA-dependent RNA polymerase and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Discovery of ANA975: an oral prodrug of the TLR-7 agonist isatoribine.

ANA975, a 5-amino-3-beta -D-ribofuranosyl-3H-thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-2-one derivative, was synthesized in the search of an oral prodrug of isatoribine, a small molecule toll-like receptor 7 (TLR-7) agonist. Several strategies were studied to enable the kilogram-scale synthesis of ANA975. Three general total syntheses are described. In the phase I clinical study of ANA975 against hepatitis C virus (HCV), conversion to isatoribine in plasma was rapid and effective, delivering levels of isatoribine that have been shown to be clinically relevant.

Structure-based characterization and optimization of novel hydrophobic binding interactions in a series of pyrrolidine influenza neuraminidase inhibitors.

The structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a novel hydrophobic binding interaction within a subsite of the influenza neuraminidase (NA) active site was characterized and optimized for a series of trisubstituted pyrrolidine inhibitors modified at the 4-position. Previously, potent inhibitors have targeted this subsite with hydrophilic substituents such as amines and guanidines. Inhibitor-bound crystal structures revealed that hydrophobic substituents with sp(2) hybridization could achieve optimal interactions by virtue of a low-energy binding conformation and favorable pi-stacking interactions with the residue Glu119. From a lead methyl ester, investigation of five-membered heteroaromatic substituents at C-4 produced a 3-pyrazolyl analogue that improved activity by making a targeted hydrogen bond with Trp178. The SAR of substituted vinyl substituents at C-4 produced a Z-propenyl analogue with improved activity over the lead methyl ester. The C-1 ethyl ester prodrugs of the substituted C-4 vinyl analogues gave compounds with excellent oral bioavailability (F > 60%) when dosed in rat.

Isatoribine, an agonist of TLR7, reduces plasma virus concentration in chronic hepatitis C infection.

Immune-based therapy is the mainstay treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection but causes multiple side effects and achieves durable viral clearance in only approximately 50% of patients. Most new investigational anti-HCV compounds are direct-acting antivirals for which durability of response and risk of viral mutations and resistance are not yet known. Therefore, continuing discovery and development of new immune-based treatments is desirable. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pathogen recognition receptors that initiate the innate immune response. The responsiveness of HCV or other ongoing chronic systemic infections to treatment with a selective TLR agonist has not been reported. Isatoribine is a selective agonist of TLR7. In a proof-of-concept study, we found that once-daily 7-day treatment with intravenous isatoribine 800 mg caused a significant (P = .001) reduction of plasma HCV RNA (mean, -0.76; range, -2.85 to +0.21 log(10) units) in otherwise untreated patients (n = 12) who were chronically infected with HCV. Viral load reduction occurred in patients infected with genotype 1 as well as non-genotype 1 HCV. The reduction of viral load was correlated with induction of markers of a heightened immune antiviral state, including 2'-, 5'- oligoadenylate synthetase levels in whole blood. This treatment was well tolerated, with a low frequency of mild to moderate adverse events. In conclusion, systemic administration of the selective TLR7 agonist isatoribine resulted in dose-dependent changes in immunologic biomarkers and a statistically significant antiviral effect with relatively few and mild side effects.