ABSTRACT
We describe an optimization and scale-up of the 45-membered macrocyclic thioether peptide BMS-986189 utilizing solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). Improvements to linear peptide isolation, macrocyclization, and peptide purification were demonstrated to increase the throughput and purification of material on scale and enabled the synthesis and purification of >60 g of target peptide. Taken together, not only these improvements resulted in a 28-fold yield increase from the original SPPS approach, but also the generality of this newly developed SPPS purification sequence has found application in the synthesis and purification of other macrocyclic thioether peptides.
Subject(s)
Macrocyclic Compounds , Peptides , Solid-Phase Synthesis Techniques , Sulfides , Sulfides/chemistry , Sulfides/chemical synthesis , Macrocyclic Compounds/chemistry , Macrocyclic Compounds/chemical synthesis , Peptides/chemistry , Peptides/chemical synthesis , Peptides, Cyclic/chemistry , Peptides, Cyclic/chemical synthesis , Molecular Structure , CyclizationABSTRACT
We describe a stereodefined synthesis of the newly identified non-natural phosphorothioate cyclic dinucleotide (CDN) STING agonist, BMT-390025. The new route avoids the low-yielding racemic approach using P(III)-based reagents, and the stereospecific assembly of the phosphorothioate linkages are forged via the recently invented P(V)-based platform of the so-called PSI (Ψ) reagent system. This P(V) approach allows for the complete control of chirality of the P-based linkages and enabled conclusive evidence of the absolute configuration. The new approach offers robust procedures for preparing the stereodefined CDN in eight steps starting from advanced nucelosides, with late-stage direct drop isolations and telescoped steps enabling an efficient scale-up that proceeded in an overall 15% yield to produce multigram amounts of the CDN.
ABSTRACT
We describe an efficient synthetic route to differentially protected diester, 1-(tert-butyl) 4-methyl (1R,2S,4R)-2-methylcyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylate (+)-1, via palladium-catalyzed methoxycarbonylation of an enol triflate derived from a Hagemann's ester derivative followed by a stereoselective Crabtree hydrogenation. Diester 1 is a novel chiral synthon useful in drug discovery and was instrumental in the generation of useful SAR during a RORγt inverse agonist program. In addition, we describe a second-generation synthesis of the clinical candidate BMS-986251, using diester 1 as a critical component.
Subject(s)
Carboxylic Acids , Esters , Cyclohexanes , StereoisomerismABSTRACT
RORγt is the master regulator of the IL-23/IL-17 axis, a pathway that is clinically validated for the treatment of various immunological disorders. Over the last few years, our group has reported different chemotypes that potently act as inverse agonists of RORγt. One of them, the tricyclic pyrrolidine chemotype, has demonstrated biologic-like preclinical efficacy and has led to our clinical candidate BMS-986251. In this letter, we discuss the invention of an annulation reaction which enabled the synthesis of a tricyclic exocyclic amide chemotype and the identification of compounds with RORγt inverse agonist activity. Preliminary structure activity relationships are disclosed.
Subject(s)
Amides/chemistry , Hydrocarbons, Cyclic/chemistry , Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3/antagonists & inhibitors , Sulfones/chemistry , Amides/chemical synthesis , Amides/metabolism , Animals , Cyclization , Drug Inverse Agonism , Humans , Hydrocarbons, Cyclic/chemical synthesis , Hydrocarbons, Cyclic/metabolism , Mice , Microsomes, Liver/metabolism , Molecular Docking Simulation , Molecular Structure , Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3/metabolism , Structure-Activity Relationship , Sulfones/chemical synthesis , Sulfones/metabolismABSTRACT
In order to rapidly develop C6 and C8 SAR of our reported tricyclic sulfone series of RORγt inverse agonists, a late-stage bromination was employed. Although not regioselective, the bromination protocol allowed us to explore new substitution patterns/vectors that otherwise would have to be incorporated at the very beginning of the synthesis. Based on the SAR obtained from this exercise, compound 15 bearing a C8 fluorine was developed as a very potent and selective RORγt inverse agonist. This analog's in vitro profile, pharmacokinetic (PK) data and efficacy in an IL-23 induced mouse acanthosis model will be discussed.
Subject(s)
Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring/therapeutic use , Melanosis/drug therapy , Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3/antagonists & inhibitors , Sulfones/therapeutic use , Animals , Crystallography, X-Ray , Drug Inverse Agonism , Female , Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring/chemical synthesis , Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring/pharmacokinetics , Interleukin-18 , Male , Melanosis/chemically induced , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Molecular Structure , Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3/metabolism , Protein Binding , Structure-Activity Relationship , Sulfones/chemical synthesis , Sulfones/pharmacokineticsABSTRACT
An efficient large-scale synthesis of acid 1, a penultimate precursor to the HCV NS5A inhibitor BMS-986097, along with the final API step are described. Three routes were devised for the synthesis of 1 at the various stages of the program. The third generation route, the one that proved scalable and is the main subject of this paper, features a one-step Michael addition of t-butyl 2-((diphenylmethylene)amino)acetate (24) to (E)-benzyl 4-(1-hydroxycyclopropyl)but-2-enoate (28) followed by cyclization and chiral separation to form 27c, the core skeleton of cap piece 1. The epimerization and chiral resolution of 27c followed by further synthetic manipulations involving the carbamate formation, lactone reduction and cyclization, afforded cyclopropyl pyran 1. A detailed study of diphenylmethane deprotection via acid hydrolysis as well as a key lactone to tetrahydropyran conversion, in order to avoid a side reaction that afforded an alternative cyclization product, are discussed. This synthesis was applied to the preparation of more than 100 g of the final API BMS-986097 for toxicology studies.
Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents/chemical synthesis , Glycine/analogs & derivatives , Imidazoles/chemical synthesis , Pyrans/pharmacology , Pyrrolidines/chemical synthesis , Spiro Compounds/chemical synthesis , Viral Nonstructural Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Antiviral Agents/chemistry , Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , Imidazoles/chemistry , Imidazoles/pharmacology , Molecular Structure , Pyrans/chemical synthesis , Pyrans/chemistry , Pyrrolidines/chemistry , Pyrrolidines/pharmacology , Spiro Compounds/chemistry , Spiro Compounds/pharmacology , Viral Nonstructural Proteins/metabolismABSTRACT
An efficient regioselective synthesis of substituted 4-alkylamino and 4-arylaminophthalazin-1(1H)-ones 5 is described. This new method features the formation of substituted phthalazin-1(1H)-ones 3 by the reaction of 2-formylbenzoic acids 1 or 3-hydroxyisobenzofuran-1(3H)-ones 2 with hydrazine to generate phthalazin-1(2H)-ones 3. Subsequent regioselective bromination of phthalazin-1(2H)-ones 3 with benzyltrimethylammonium tribromide (BTMA-Br3) followed by mixed copper-copper oxide-catalyzed amination of 4-bromophthalazin-1(2H)-ones 4 with primary amines generates aminophthalazin-1(2H)-ones in good overall yields.
ABSTRACT
A macrocyclic peptide A was successfully purified in large quantities (â¼30 g) in >95 % purity by an integrated two-step orthogonal purification process combining supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) with medium-pressure reverse-phase liquid chromatography (MP-RPLC). MP-RPLC was used to fractionate the crude peptide A, remove unwanted trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) originating from the peptide A cleavage off the resin, and convert the peptide A into ammonium acetate salt form, prior to the final purification by SFC. A co-solvent of methanol/acetonitrile containing ammonium acetate and water in CO2 was developed on a Waters BEH 2-Ethylpyridine column. The developed SFC method was readily scaled up onto a 5 cm diameter column to process multi-gram quantities of the MP-RPLC fraction to reach > 95 % purity with a throughput/productivity of 0.96 g/h. The incorporation of SFC with MP-RPLC has been demonstrated to have a broader application in other large-scale polypeptide purifications.
Subject(s)
Chromatography, Reverse-Phase , Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid , Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid/methods , Chromatography, Reverse-Phase/methods , Acetates/chemistry , Trifluoroacetic Acid/chemistry , Peptides, Cyclic/chemistry , Peptides, Cyclic/isolation & purification , Acetonitriles/chemistry , Methanol/chemistryABSTRACT
Recent mouse knockout studies identified adapter protein-2 associated kinase 1 (AAK1) as a viable target for treating neuropathic pain. Potent small-molecule inhibitors of AAK1 have been identified and show efficacy in various rodent pain models. (S)-1-((2',6-Bis(difluoromethyl)-[2,4'-bipyridin]-5-yl)oxy)-2,4-dimethylpentan-2-amine (BMS-986176/LX-9211) (34) was identified as a highly selective, CNS penetrant, potent AAK1 inhibitor from a novel class of bi(hetero)aryl ethers. BMS-986176/LX9211 (34) showed excellent efficacy in two rodent neuropathic pain models and excellent central nervous system (CNS) penetration and target engagement at the spinal cord with an average brain to plasma ratio of 20 in rat. The compound exhibited favorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties, had an acceptable preclinical toxicity profile, and was chosen for clinical trials. BMS-986176/LX9211 (34) completed phase I trials with good human pharmacokinetics and minimum adverse events and is currently in phase II clinical trials for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04455633) and postherpetic neuralgia (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04662281).
Subject(s)
Amines , Neuralgia , Animals , Brain , Mice , Neuralgia/drug therapy , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Rats , Spinal CordABSTRACT
Inhibition of TGFß signaling in concert with a checkpoint blockade has been shown to provide improved and durable antitumor immune response in mouse models. However, on-target adverse cardiovascular effects have limited the clinical use of TGFß receptor (TGFßR) inhibitors in cancer therapy. To restrict the activity of TGFßR inhibitors to tumor tissues and thereby widen the therapeutic index, a series of tumor-activated prodrugs of a selective small molecule TGFßR1 inhibitor 1 were prepared by appending 1 to a serine protease substrate and a half-life extension fatty acid carbon chain. The prodrugs were shown to be selectively metabolized in tumor tissues relative to the heart and blood and demonstrated a prolonged favorable increase in the tumor-to-heart ratio of the active drug in tissue distribution studies. Once-weekly administration of the most tissue-selective compound 10 provided anti-tumor efficacy comparable to the parent compound and reduced systemic exposure of the active drug.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Prodrugs/therapeutic use , Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I/antagonists & inhibitors , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents/metabolism , Area Under Curve , Drug Stability , Female , Half-Life , Humans , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Molecular Structure , Myocardium/metabolism , Neoplasms/metabolism , Prodrugs/chemistry , Prodrugs/pharmacokinetics , Small Molecule Libraries/pharmacology , Tissue Distribution , Xenograft Model Antitumor AssaysABSTRACT
Structure-activity relationship studies directed toward the replacement of the fused phenyl ring of the lead hexahydrobenzoindole RORγt inverse agonist series represented by 1 with heterocyclic moieties led to the identification of three novel aza analogs 5-7. The hexahydropyrrolo[3,2-f]quinoline series 5 (X = N, Y = Z=CH) showed potency and metabolic stability comparable to series 1 but with improved in vitro membrane permeability and serum free fraction. This structural modification was applied to the hexahydrocyclopentanaphthalene series 3, culminating in the discovery of 8e as a potent and selective RORγt inverse agonist with an excellent in vitro profile, good pharmacokinetic properties, and biologic-like in vivo efficacy in preclinical models of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
ABSTRACT
SAR efforts directed at identifying RORγt inverse agonists structurally different from our clinical compound 1 (BMS-986251) led to tricyclic-carbocyclic analogues represented by 3-7 and culminated in the identification of 3d (BMS-986313), with structural differences distinct from 1. The X-ray co-crystal structure of 3d with the ligand binding domain of RORγt revealed several key interactions, which are different from 1. The in vitro and in vivo PK profiles of 3d are described. In addition, we demonstrate robust efficacy of 3d in two preclinical models of psoriasis-the IMQ-induced skin lesion model and the IL-23-induced acanthosis model. The efficacy seen with 3d in these models is comparable to the results observed with 1.
Subject(s)
Amides/therapeutic use , Hydrocarbons, Cyclic/therapeutic use , Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3/antagonists & inhibitors , Psoriasis/drug therapy , Amides/chemistry , Amides/pharmacokinetics , Animals , Drug Inverse Agonism , Female , Humans , Hydrocarbons, Cyclic/chemistry , Hydrocarbons, Cyclic/pharmacokinetics , Interleukin-23 , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Microsomes, Liver/metabolism , Molecular Structure , Psoriasis/chemically induced , Rats , Structure-Activity RelationshipABSTRACT
Employing a virtual screening approach, we identified the pyroglutamide moiety as a nonacid replacement for the cyclohexanecarboxylic acid group which, when coupled to our previously reported conformationally locked tricyclic core, provided potent and selective RORγt inverse agonists. Structure-activity relationship optimization of the pyroglutamide moiety led to the identification of compound 18 as a potent and selective RORγt inverse agonist, albeit with poor aqueous solubility. We took advantage of the tertiary carbinol group in 18 to synthesize a phosphate prodrug, which provided good solubility, excellent exposures in mouse PK studies, and significant efficacy in a mouse model of psoriasis.
ABSTRACT
Novel tricyclic analogues were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as RORγt inverse agonists. Several of these compounds were potent in an IL-17 human whole blood assay and exhibited excellent oral bioavailability in mouse pharmacokinetic studies. This led to the identification of compound 5, which displayed dose-dependent inhibition of IL-17F production in a mouse IL-2/IL-23 stimulated pharmacodynamic model. In addition, compound 5 was studied in mouse acanthosis and imiquimod-induced models of skin inflammation, where it demonstrated robust efficacy comparable to a positive control. As a result of this excellent overall profile, compound 5 (BMS-986251) was selected as a clinically viable developmental candidate.
ABSTRACT
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) has been shown to play a key role in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. Therefore, the inhibition of the kinase activity of BTK with a small molecule inhibitor could offer a breakthrough in the clinical treatment of many autoimmune diseases. This Letter describes the discovery of BMS-986143 through systematic structure-activity relationship (SAR) development. This compound benefits from defined chirality derived from two rotationally stable atropisomeric axes, providing a potent and selective single atropisomer with desirable efficacy and tolerability profiles.
ABSTRACT
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) plays an essential role in multiple cell types responsible for numerous autoimmune diseases, thus inhibition of BTK is anticipated to provide an effective strategy for the clinical treatment of autoimmune diseases. Preparative-scale super/subcritical fluid chromatography (SFC) separation methods for four groups of highly potent and selective BTK inhibitor atropisomers were successfully developed. Depending on the rotation barrier around the chiral axis, the compounds were prepared as a single stereochemically stable atropisomer or as an atropisomeric mixture. Among the four, compound 2 with one rotationally stable atropisomeric center (carbazole/quinazolinedione based) was resolved as a mixture of two atropisomers, while compound 3 (carbazole-chlorine/quinazolinedione based) and 4 (tetrahydrocarbazole-fluorine/quinazolinedione based) with two rotationally stable atropisomeric centers were resolved into a single stable atropisomer. This article discusses the challenges and strategies in preparing large quantities of these atropisomeric active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in support of the BTK program discovery efforts.
Subject(s)
Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase/antagonists & inhibitors , Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid/methods , Drug Discovery/methods , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/analysis , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/isolation & purification , Drug Discovery/instrumentation , Humans , StereoisomerismABSTRACT
RORγt is an important nuclear receptor that regulates the production of several pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-17 and IL-22. As a result, RORγt has been identified as a potential target for the treatment of various immunological disorders such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Structure and computer-assisted drug design led to the identification of a novel series of tricyclic RORγt inverse agonists with significantly improved in vitro activity in the reporter (Gal4) and human whole blood assays compared to our previous chemotype. Through careful structure activity relationship, several potent and selective RORγt inverse agonists have been identified. Pharmacokinetic studies allowed the identification of the lead molecule 32 with a low peak-to-trough ratio. This molecule showed excellent activity in an IL-2/IL-23-induced mouse pharmacodynamic study and demonstrated biologic-like efficacy in an IL-23-induced preclinical model of psoriasis.
Subject(s)
Drug Design , Drug Inverse Agonism , Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3/agonists , Pyrrolidines/pharmacology , Animals , Humans , Jurkat Cells , Mice , Models, Molecular , Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3/chemistry , Protein Conformation , Pyrrolidines/chemistry , Pyrrolidines/pharmacokinetics , Structure-Activity Relationship , Tissue DistributionABSTRACT
The phosphatidylcholine (PC)-enriched fraction from soybean lecithin is of interest due to its critical role in both the pharmaceutical and industrial field. In this work, enhancement of the purity of the PC fraction along with other individual polar lipid fractions was achieved from crude soybean lecithin by using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with methanol-modified SC-CO(2). Neutral lipids were first removed from the crude sample using pure CO(2). Then, the effect of CO(2 )pressure, temperature, and modifier percentage on phospholipid (PL) fractionation from deoiled lecithin was compared with and without silica gel mixed with the lecithin. Pure fractions of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and PC were obtained by varying the modifier concentration of the extraction fluid at 460 atm and 40 degrees C with silica gel added to the deoiled lecithin. Without silica gel, coextraction of PE and PC was observed. A total of six components were isolated and tentatively identified in the extract of deoiled crude soybean lecithin.
Subject(s)
Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid/methods , Lecithins/analysis , Lecithins/isolation & purification , Lipids/chemistry , Lipids/isolation & purification , Adsorption , Carbon Dioxide/chemistry , Glycolipids/chemistry , Lecithins/chemistry , Mass Spectrometry/methods , Methanol/chemistry , Models, Chemical , Phosphatidylethanolamines/chemistry , Pressure , Silica Gel , Silicon Dioxide/chemistry , Glycine max , Temperature , Time FactorsABSTRACT
While traditional non-chlorinated Cellulose- and Amylose-derivatized phases have been used successfully in supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) to resolve a broad variety of chiral compounds, some chiral pharmaceutical compounds are not well resolved on these traditional chiral stationary phases (CSP) due to the lack of chiral selectivity. Since there are no universal CSP to resolve all chiral compounds, chlorinated CSP can be complementary to the non-chlorinated CSP. Chlorinated CSP such as 4-Chloro-3-methylphenyl-carbamatecellulose (Lux-Cellulose-4), 3-Chloro-4-methylphenyl-carbamatecellulose (Lux-Cellulose-2), 5-Chloro-2-methylphenyl-carbamateamylose (Lux-Amylose-2) and immobilized 3,5-dichlorophenyl-carbamatecellulose (Chiralpak IC) have provided a range of chiral recognition mechanisms which have allowed the authors to successfully achieve chiral SFC resolution on several structurally diverse compounds, which are not well resolved in the non-chlorinated CSP. In addition, chlorinated Lux-Cellulose-4, Chiralpak IC and Lux-Amylose-2 have enabled us to utilize non-alcohol solvents as sample diluents and as co-solvents to significantly improve compound solubility and selectivity. This article will discuss the challenges associated with several SFC applications on both coated and immobilized chlorinated CSP to deliver high-quality drug candidates in large quantity. The use of dichloromethane in both sample preparation and as co-solvent in CO2 to increase sample solubility will be presented in preparative example #2 and #3.
Subject(s)
Amylose/chemistry , Cellulose/analogs & derivatives , Cellulose/chemistry , Pharmaceutical Preparations/isolation & purification , Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid/methods , Halogenation , Methylene Chloride , Solubility , Solvents , StereoisomerismABSTRACT
A series of racemic 2,2-dimethyl-3-aryl-propanoic acids were resolved by chiral supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) without the use of an acidic additive, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The use of additive-free protic methanol as co-solvent in CO2 was expanded to successfully resolve other series of carboxylic acid containing racemates. Large-scale SFC of racemic acid 4, 3-(1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indazol-5-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenylpropanoic acid, in methanol without TFA as additive on both Chiralpak AD-H and Chiralcel OJ-H will be discussed, along with impact on throughput and solvent consumption. Investigation of co-solvent effect on peak sharpening of acid racemate 20, 2-(2-chloro-9-fluoro-5H-chromeno[2,3-b]pyridin-5-yl)-2-methylpropanoic acid, without TFA further indicated that methanol in CO2 provided improved peak shape compared with isopropanol (IPA) and acetonitrile. Finally, we discuss the resolution of basic aromatic chiral amines without the addition of basic additives such as diethylamine (DEA) and application of this protocol for the large-scale SFC separation of weakly basic indazole-containing racemate 14, methyl 3-(1H-indazol-5-yl)-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenylpropanoate, in methanol without DEA.