RESUMEN
Inhibition of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) kinase activity represents a genetically supported, chemically tractable, and potentially disease-modifying mechanism to treat Parkinson's disease. Herein, we describe the optimization of a novel series of potent, selective, central nervous system (CNS)-penetrant 1-heteroaryl-1H-indazole type I (ATP competitive) LRRK2 inhibitors. Type I ATP-competitive kinase physicochemical properties were integrated with CNS drug-like properties through a combination of structure-based drug design and parallel medicinal chemistry enabled by sp3-sp2 cross-coupling technologies. This resulted in the discovery of a unique sp3-rich spirocarbonitrile motif that imparted extraordinary potency, pharmacokinetics, and favorable CNS drug-like properties. The lead compound, 25, demonstrated exceptional on-target potency in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, excellent off-target kinase selectivity, and good brain exposure in rat, culminating in a low projected human dose and a pre-clinical safety profile that warranted advancement toward pre-clinical candidate enabling studies.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Parkinson , Ratas , Humanos , Animales , Proteína 2 Quinasa Serina-Treonina Rica en Repeticiones de Leucina , Enfermedad de Parkinson/tratamiento farmacológico , Indazoles/farmacología , Indazoles/uso terapéutico , Leucocitos Mononucleares/metabolismo , Inhibidores de Proteínas Quinasas/farmacología , Inhibidores de Proteínas Quinasas/uso terapéutico , Inhibidores de Proteínas Quinasas/química , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Adenosina TrifosfatoRESUMEN
The clinical success of anti-IL-17 monoclonal antibodies (i.e., Cosentyx and Taltz) has validated Th17 pathway modulation for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The nuclear hormone receptor RORγt is a master regulator of Th17 cells and affects the production of a host of cytokines, including IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, IL-26, and GM-CSF. Substantial interest has been spurred across both academia and industry to seek small molecules suitable for RORγt inhibition. A variety of RORγt inhibitors have been reported in the past few years, the majority of which are orthosteric binders. Here we disclose the discovery and optimization of a class of inhibitors, which bind differently to an allosteric binding pocket. Starting from a weakly active hit 1, a tool compound 14 was quickly identified that demonstrated superior potency, selectivity, and off-target profile. Further optimization focused on improving metabolic stability. Replacing the benzoic acid moiety with piperidinyl carboxylate, modifying the 4-aza-indazole core in 14 to 4-F-indazole, and incorporating a key hydroxyl group led to the discovery of 25, which possesses exquisite potency and selectivity, as well as an improved pharmacokinetic profile suitable for oral dosing.
RESUMEN
A bench-stable potassium trifluoroborate enol ether reagent has been prepared. This reagent is suitable for the incorporation of 2,2-difluoroenolethers into aryl and heteroaryl systems via palladium-mediated cross-coupling with suitable halide coupling partners.