Identification of a novel selective H1-antihistamine with optimized pharmacokinetic properties for clinical evaluation in the treatment of insomnia.

Analogs of the known H(1)-antihistamine R-dimethindene with suitable selectivity for key GPCRs, P450 enzymes and hERG channel were assessed for metabolism profile and in vivo properties. Several analogs were determined to exhibit diverse metabolism. One of these compounds, 10a, showed equivalent efficacy in a rat EEG/EMG model to a previously identified clinical candidate and a potentially superior pharmacokinetic profile as determined from a human microdose study.

Selectivity profiling of novel indene H(1)-antihistamines for the treatment of insomnia.

A series of indene analogs of the H(1)-antihistamine (-)-R-dimethindene was evaluated for selectivity in the search for potentially improved sedative-hypnotics. Variation of the 6-substitutent in the indene core in combination with a pendant electron rich heterocycle led to the identification of several potent H(1)-antihistamines with desirable selectivity over CYP enzymes, the M(1) muscarinic receptor and the hERG channel. These compounds were candidates for further ADME profiling and in vivo evaluation.

N-[6-amino-2-(heteroaryl)pyrimidin-4-yl]acetamides as A2A receptor antagonists with improved drug like properties and in vivo efficacy.

In the present article, we report on a strategy to improve the physical properties of a series of small molecule human adenosine 2A (hA2A) antagonists. One of the aromatic rings typical of this series of antagonists is replaced with a series of aliphatic groups, with the aim of disrupting crystal packing of the molecule to lower the melting point and in turn to improve the solubility. Herein, we describe the SAR of a new series of water-soluble 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyrimidines where R1 is an aromatic heterocycle, R2 is a short-chain alkyl amide, and the typical R3 aromatic heterocyclic substituent is replaced with an aliphatic amino substituent. This approach significantly enhanced aqueous solubility and lowered the log P of the system to provide molecules without significant hERG or CYP liabilities and robust in vivo efficacy.

Lead optimization of 4-acetylamino-2-(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-6-pyridylpyrimidines as A2A adenosine receptor antagonists for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

4-Acetylamino-2-(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-pyrimidines bearing substituted pyridyl groups as C-6 substituents were prepared as selective adenosine hA2A receptor antagonists for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The 5-methoxy-3-pyridyl derivative 6g (hA2A Ki 2.3 nM, hA1 Ki 190 nM) was orally active at 3 mg/kg in a rat HIC model but exposure was poor in nonrodent species, presumably due to poor aqueous solubility. Follow-on compound 16a (hA2A Ki 0.83 nM, hA1 Ki 130 nM), bearing a 6-(morpholin-4-yl)-2-pyridyl substituent at C-6, had improved solubility and was orally efficacious (3 mg/kg, HIC) but showed time-dependent cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition, possibly related to morpholine ring metabolism. Compound 16j (hA2A Ki 0.44 nM, hA1 Ki 80 nM), bearing a 6-(4-methoxypiperidin-1-yl)-2-pyridyl substituent at C-6, was sparingly soluble but had good oral exposure in rodent and nonrodent species, had no cytochrome P450 or human ether-a-go-go related gene channel issues, and was orally efficacious at 1 mg/kg in HIC and at 3 mg/kg for potentiation of l-dopa-induced contralateral rotations in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats.

2-Amino-N-pyrimidin-4-ylacetamides as A2A receptor antagonists: 1. Structure-activity relationships and optimization of heterocyclic substituents.

Previously we have described a novel series of potent and selective A 2A receptor antagonists (e.g., 1) with excellent aqueous solubility. While these compounds are efficacious A 2A antagonists in vivo, the presence of an unsubstituted furyl moiety was a cause of some concern. In order to avoid the potential metabolic liabilities that could arise from an unsubstituted furyl moiety, an optimization effort was undertaken with the aim of replacing the unsubstituted furan with a more metabolically stable group while maintaining potency and selectivity. Herein, we describe the synthesis and SAR of a range of novel heterocyclic systems and the successful identification of a replacement for the unsubstituted furan moiety with a methylfuran or thiazole moiety while maintaining potency and selectivity.

2-Amino-N-pyrimidin-4-ylacetamides as A2A receptor antagonists: 2. Reduction of hERG activity, observed species selectivity, and structure-activity relationships.

Previously we have described a series of novel A 2A receptor antagonists with excellent water solubility. As described in the accompanying paper, the antagonists were first optimized to remove an unsubstituted furyl moiety, with the aim of avoiding the potential metabolic liabilities that can arise from the presence of an unsubstituted furan. This effort identified a series of potent and selective methylfuryl derivatives. Herein, we describe the further optimization of this series to increase potency, maintain selectivity for the human A 2A vs the human A 1 receptor, and minimize activity against the hERG channel. In addition, the observed structure-activity relationships against both the human and the rat A 2A receptor are reported.