6-Alkoxy-5-aryl-3-pyridinecarboxamides, a new series of bioavailable cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) antagonists including peripherally selective compounds.

We identified 6-alkoxy-5-aryl-3-pyridinecarboxamides as potent CB1 receptor antagonists with high selectivity over CB2 receptors. The series was optimized to reduce lipophilicity compared to rimonabant to achieve peripherally active molecules with minimal central effects. Several compounds that showed high plasma exposures in rats were evaluated in vivo to probe the contribution of central vs peripheral CB1 agonism to metabolic improvement. Both rimonabant and 14g, a potent brain penetrant CB1 receptor antagonist, significantly reduced the rate of body weight gain. However, 14h, a molecule with markedly reduced brain exposure, had no significant effect on body weight. PK studies confirmed similarly high exposure of both 14h and 14g in the periphery but 10-fold lower exposure in the brain for 14h. On the basis of these data, which are consistent with reported effects in tissue-specific CB1 receptor KO mice, we conclude that the metabolic benefits of CB1 receptor antagonists are primarily centrally mediated as originally believed.

The discovery and unique pharmacological profile of RO4938581 and RO4882224 as potent and selective GABAA alpha5 inverse agonists for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction.

Lead optimisation of the imidazo[1,5-a][1,2,4]-triazolo[1,5-d][1,4]benzodiazepine class led to the identification of two clinical leads [RO4882224 (11) and RO4938581 (44)] functioning as novel potent and selective GABAA alpha5 inverse agonists. The unique pharmacological profiles and optimal pharmacokinetic profiles resulted in in vivo activity in selected cognition models.

Benzodioxoles: novel cannabinoid-1 receptor inverse agonists for the treatment of obesity.

The application of the evolutionary fragment-based de novo design tool TOPology Assigning System (TOPAS), starting from a known CB1R (CB-1 receptor) ligand, followed by further refinement principles, including pharmacophore compliance, chemical tractability, and drug likeness, allowed the identification of benzodioxoles as a novel CB1R inverse agonist series. Extensive multidimensional optimization was rewarded by the identification of promising lead compounds, showing in vivo activity. These compounds reversed the CP-55940-induced hypothermia in Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice and reduced body-weight gain, as well as fat mass, in diet-induced obese Sprague-Dawley rats. Herein, we disclose the tools and strategies that were employed for rapid hit identification, synthesis and generation of structure-activity relationships, ultimately leading to the identification of (+)-[( R)-2-(2,4-dichloride-phenyl)-6-fluoro-2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl]-morpholin-4-yl-methanone ( R)-14g . Biochemical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic characteristics of ( R)-14g are discussed.

Efficient synthesis of novel NK1 receptor antagonists: selective 1,4-addition of grignard reagents to 6-chloronicotinic acid derivatives.

A new efficient synthesis of two novel classes of NK1 receptor antagonists, among them befetupitant and netupitant, starting from 6-chloronicotinic acid is described. The introduction of the o-tolyl substituent at C4 of the pyridine ring was achieved by a one-pot selective 1,4-Grignard addition/oxidation sequence to 6-chloronicotinic acid or a derivative of it. The scope of this addition/oxidation sequence was examined. It was also shown that the carboxylic function can be converted to a methyl amino group by a Hofmann rearrangement followed by reduction. Furthermore, a new high-yielding synthesis of 2-(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)-2-methyl propionic acid based on the carbonylation of the tertiary alcohol obtained by Grignard addition of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)bromobenzene to acetone was established.