A G protein-biased ligand at the µ-opioid receptor is potently analgesic with reduced gastrointestinal and respiratory dysfunction compared with morphine.

The concept of ligand bias at G protein-coupled receptors broadens the possibilities for agonist activities and provides the opportunity to develop safer, more selective therapeutics. Morphine pharmacology in ß-arrestin-2 knockout mice suggested that a ligand that promotes coupling of the µ-opioid receptor (MOR) to G proteins, but not ß-arrestins, would result in higher analgesic efficacy, less gastrointestinal dysfunction, and less respiratory suppression than morphine. Here we report the discovery of TRV130 ([(3-methoxythiophen-2-yl)methyl]({2-[(9R)-9-(pyridin-2-yl)-6-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-9-yl]ethyl})amine), a novel MOR G protein-biased ligand. In cell-based assays, TRV130 elicits robust G protein signaling, with potency and efficacy similar to morphine, but with far less ß-arrestin recruitment and receptor internalization. In mice and rats, TRV130 is potently analgesic while causing less gastrointestinal dysfunction and respiratory suppression than morphine at equianalgesic doses. TRV130 successfully translates evidence that analgesic and adverse MOR signaling pathways are distinct into a biased ligand with differentiated pharmacology. These preclinical data suggest that TRV130 may be a safer and more tolerable therapeutic for treating severe pain.

Dysregulation of PRMT5 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia promotes progression with high risk of Richter's transformation.

Richter's Transformation (RT) is a poorly understood and fatal progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) manifesting histologically as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is implicated in lymphomagenesis, but its role in CLL or RT progression is unknown. We demonstrate herein that tumors uniformly overexpress PRMT5 in patients with progression to RT. Furthermore, mice with B-specific overexpression of hPRMT5 develop a B-lymphoid expansion with increased risk of death, and Eµ-PRMT5/TCL1 double transgenic mice develop a highly aggressive disease with transformation that histologically resembles RT; where large-scale transcriptional profiling identifies oncogenic pathways mediating PRMT5-driven disease progression. Lastly, we report the development of a SAM-competitive PRMT5 inhibitor, PRT382, with exclusive selectivity and optimal in vitro and in vivo activity compared to available PRMT5 inhibitors. Taken together, the discovery that PRMT5 drives oncogenic pathways promoting RT provides a compelling rationale for clinical investigation of PRMT5 inhibitors such as PRT382 in aggressive CLL/RT cases.

Structure-activity relationships and discovery of a G protein biased µ opioid receptor ligand, [(3-methoxythiophen-2-yl)methyl]({2-[(9R)-9-(pyridin-2-yl)-6-oxaspiro-[4.5]decan-9-yl]ethyl})amine (TRV130), for the treatment of acute severe pain.

The concept of "ligand bias" at G protein coupled receptors has been introduced to describe ligands which preferentially stimulate one intracellular signaling pathway over another. There is growing interest in developing biased G protein coupled receptor ligands to yield safer, better tolerated, and more efficacious drugs. The classical µ opioid morphine elicited increased efficacy and duration of analgesic response with reduced side effects in ß-arrestin-2 knockout mice compared to wild-type mice, suggesting that G protein biased µ opioid receptor agonists would be more efficacious with reduced adverse events. Here we describe our efforts to identify a potent, selective, and G protein biased µ opioid receptor agonist, TRV130 ((R)-30). This novel molecule demonstrated an improved therapeutic index (analgesia vs adverse effects) in rodent models and characteristics appropriate for clinical development. It is currently being evaluated in human clinical trials for the treatment of acute severe pain.

N,N-dialkyl-4-[(8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]-oct-3-ylidene)phenylmethyl]benzamides, potent, selective delta opioid agonists.

A series of N,N-dialkyl-4-(9-aryltropanylidenemethyl)benzamides was prepared. The lead compounds, 15a and 15c, exhibited extremely high affinity for the delta opioid receptor with excellent selectivity versus the micro opioid receptor. They were full agonists at the delta opioid receptor, as assessed by stimulation of GTPgammaS binding, and displayed antinociceptive activity.

N-alkyl-4-[(8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]-oct-3-ylidene)phenylmethyl]benzamides, micro and delta opioid agonists: a micro address.

The tertiary amide delta opioid agonist 2 is a potent antinociceptive agent. Compound 2 was metabolized in vitro and in vivo to secondary amide 3, a potent and selective micro opioid agonist. The SAR of a series of N-alkyl-4-[(8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]-oct-3-ylidene)phenylmethyl]benzamides was examined.

Parallel methods for the preparation and SAR exploration of N-ethyl-4-[(8-alkyl-8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ylidene)-aryl-methyl]-benzamides, powerful mu and delta opioid agonists.

Two parallel synthetic methods were developed to explore the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of a series of potent opioid agonists. This series of tropanylidene benzamides proved extremely tolerant of structural variation while maintaining excellent opioid activity. Evaluation of several representative compounds from this series in the mouse hot plate test revealed potent antinociceptive effects upon oral administration.