Identification of 2-Pyridinylindole-Based Dual Antagonists of Toll-like Receptors 7 and 8 (TLR7/8).

The toll-like receptors (TLRs) play key roles in activation of the innate immune system. Aberrant activation of TLR7 and TLR8 pathways can occur in the context of autoimmune disorders due to the elevated presence and recognition of self-RNA as activating ligands. Control of this unintended activation via inhibition of TLR7/8 signaling holds promise for the treatment of diseases such as psoriasis, arthritis, and lupus. Optimization of a 2-pyridinylindole series of compounds led to the identification of potent dual inhibitors of TLR7 and TLR8, which demonstrated good selectivity against TLR9 and other family members. The in vitro characterization and in vivo evaluation in rodent pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic and efficacy studies of BMS-905 is detailed, along with structural information obtained through X-ray cocrystallographic studies.

Optimization of the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic attributes in a 6-azauracil series of P2X7 receptor antagonists leading to the discovery of the clinical candidate CE-224,535.

High throughput screening (HTS) of our compound file provided an attractive lead compound with modest P2X(7) receptor antagonist potency and high selectivity against a panel of receptors and channels, but also with high human plasma protein binding and a predicted short half-life in humans. Multi-parameter optimization was used to address the potency, physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties which led to potent P2X(7)R antagonists with good disposition properties. Compound 33 (CE-224,535) was advanced to clinical studies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Discovery and Preclinical Pharmacology of an Oral Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal (BET) Inhibitor Using Scaffold-Hopping and Structure-Guided Drug Design.

Inhibition of the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family of adaptor proteins is an attractive strategy for targeting transcriptional regulation of key oncogenes, such as c-MYC. Starting with the screening hit 1, a combination of structure-activity relationship and protein structure-guided drug design led to the discovery of a differently oriented carbazole 9 with favorable binding to the tryptophan, proline, and phenylalanine (WPF) shelf conserved in the BET family. Identification of an additional lipophilic pocket and functional group optimization to optimize pharmacokinetic (PK) properties culminated in the discovery of 18 (BMS-986158) with excellent potency in binding and functional assays. On the basis of its favorable PK profile and robust in vivo activity in a panel of hematologic and solid tumor models, BMS-986158 was selected as a candidate for clinical evaluation.

Discovery of Potent and Orally Bioavailable Small Molecule Antagonists of Toll-like Receptors 7/8/9 (TLR7/8/9).

The toll-like receptor (TLR) family is an evolutionarily conserved component of the innate immune system, responsible for the early detection of foreign or endogenous threat signals. In the context of autoimmunity, the unintended recognition of self-motifs as foreign promotes initiation or propagation of disease. Overactivation of TLR7 and TLR9 have been implicated as factors contributing to autoimmune disorders such as psoriasis, arthritis, and lupus. In our search for small molecule antagonists of TLR7/9, 7f was identified as possessing excellent on-target potency for human TLR7/9 as well as for TLR8, with selectivity against other representative TLR family members. Good pharmacokinetic properties and a relatively balanced potency against TLR7 and TLR9 in mouse systems (systems which lack functional TLR8) made this an excellent in vivo tool compound, and efficacy from oral dosing in preclinical models of autoimmune disease was demonstrated.

Electron spin-spin exchange coupling mediated by the porphyrin pi system.

The syntheses and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectral characterizations of porphyrins (1-3) substituted with two radical groups bound to trans-meso positions are described. One of these compounds, 3, has been studied by variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility and has been structurally characterized. Biradical porphyrin 3 is monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, with a = 12.239(2) A, b = 17.819(3) A, c = 34.445(7) A, alpha = 90 degrees , beta = 97.466(3) degrees , gamma = 90 degrees , and Z = 2. The bis(nitroxide) porphyrins 1 and 2 exhibit fluid solution EPR spectra consistent with |J| >> |a|. No evidence was observed for conformational modulation of J by rotation about single bonds as shown by the lack of change of the EPR spectra as a function of temperature. The bis(semiquinone) porphyrin 3 exhibits frozen-solution EPR spectra with zero-field splitting and a Deltam(s) = 2 transition characteristic of a triplet state. The intensity of the Deltam(s) = 2 transition of 3 was measured as a function of temperature, and the data fit according to a singlet-triplet model to yield J(3,solution) = -75 cm(-1) (H = - 2Js1.s2). Polycrystalline samples of porphryin 3 were examined by variable-temperature magnetometry. The paramagnetic susceptibility data were fit using a modified Bleaney-Bowers equation to give J(3,solid) = -29 cm(-1) (H = - 2Js(1).s(2)). The antiferromagnetic J values are consistent with the pi topology of the porphyrin ring.

High-spin metal complexes containing a ferromagnetically coupled tris(semiquinone) ligand.

The tris-bidentate ligand 1,3,5-tris(5'-tert-butyl-3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)benzene ((TBCat)(3)Ph) was synthesized. The reaction of this molecule in basic solution with two paramagnetic acceptors, i.e., a nickel(II)minus signtetraazamacrocyclic ligand complex (Ni(CTH)) (CTH = dl-5,7,7,12,14,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) and manganese(II)-hydrotris[3-(4'-cumenyl)-5-methylpyrazolyl]borate (Mn(Tp(Cum,Me))), yielded two complexes whose analytical formulas are consistent with those of trinuclear complexes. Spectroscopic and magnetic measurements suggest that these derivatives contain divalent metal ions coordinated to the tris(semiquinone) form of the ligand. Analysis of the magnetic data shows that the pi-connectivity of the ligand enforces ferromagnetic coupling between the three semiquinone units of the molecule, giving rise to complexes with S = 9/2 (M = Ni(II)) and S = 6 (M = Mn(II)) ground states. The coupling within the tris(semiquinone) unit is quite large (J = -26 cm(-1) for the nickel(II) derivative and J = -40 cm(-1) for the manganese(II) one, using the general exchange Hamiltonian H = sigma J(ij)S(i)S(j)), and it is of the same order of magnitude as that observed in an analogous series of bis(semiquinone) complexes that we recently reported.