Discovery of the TLR7/8 Antagonist MHV370 for Treatment of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases.

Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and TLR8 are endosomal sensors of the innate immune system that are activated by GU-rich single stranded RNA (ssRNA). Multiple genetic and functional lines of evidence link chronic activation of TLR7/8 to the pathogenesis of systemic autoimmune diseases (sAID) such as Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This makes targeting TLR7/8-induced inflammation with small-molecule inhibitors an attractive approach for the treatment of patients suffering from systemic autoimmune diseases. Here, we describe how structure-based optimization of compound 2 resulted in the discovery of 34 (MHV370, (S)-N-(4-((5-(1,6-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-4-yl)-3-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-1-yl)methyl)bicyclo[2.2.2]octan-1-yl)morpholine-3-carboxamide). Its in vivo activity allows for further profiling toward clinical trials in patients with autoimmune disorders, and a Phase 2 proof of concept study of MHV370 has been initiated, testing its safety and efficacy in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and mixed connective tissue disease.

Target-Based Identification and Optimization of 5-Indazol-5-yl Pyridones as Toll-like Receptor 7 and 8 Antagonists Using a Biochemical TLR8 Antagonist Competition Assay.

Inappropriate activation of endosomal TLR7 and TLR8 occurs in several autoimmune diseases, in particular systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Herein, the development of a TLR8 antagonist competition assay and its application for hit generation of dual TLR7/8 antagonists are reported. The structure-guided optimization of the pyridone hit 3 using this biochemical assay in combination with cellular and TLR8 cocrystal structural data resulted in the identification of a highly potent and selective TLR7/8 antagonist (27) with in vivo efficacy. The two key steps for optimization were (i) a core morph guided by a TLR7 sequence alignment to achieve a dual TLR7/8 antagonism profile and (ii) introduction of a fluorine in the piperidine ring to reduce its basicity, resulting in attractive oral pharmacokinetic (PK) properties and improved TLR8 binding affinity.

Discovery of potent, orally bioavailable in vivo efficacious antagonists of the TLR7/8 pathway.

Antagonism of the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 7 and TLR8 has been hypothesized to be beneficial to patients suffering from autoimmune conditions. A phenotypic screen for small molecule antagonists of TLR7/8 was carried out in a murine P4H1 cell line. Compound 1 was identified as a hit that showed antagonistic activity on TLR7 and TLR8 but not TLR9, as shown on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs). It was functionally cross reactive with mouse TLR7 but lacked oral exposure and had only modest potency. Chemical optimization resulted in 2, which showed in vivo efficacy following intraperitoneal administration. Further optimization resulted in 8 which had excellent in vitro activity, exposure and in vivo activity. Additional work to improve physical properties resulted in 15, an advanced lead that had favorable in vitro and exposure properties. It was further demonstrated that activity of the series tracked with binding to the extracellular domain of TLR7 implicating that the target of this series are endosomal TLRs rather than downstream signaling pathways.

Photoinduced Rearrangement of Dienones and Santonin Rerouted by Amines.

The photoinduced rearrangement pathways of simple 2,5-dienones and the natural product santonin were found to be effectively rerouted by amines, giving rise to unprecedented products. Either cis olefins or cyclobutenes were obtained from 4,4-disubstituted 2,5-dienone upon irradiation (365 nm) in the presence of various amines depending on the solvent. Previously undescribed [4.4.0] and [5.3.0] fused-ring-containing products were obtained when santonin was irradiated (365 nm) in the presence of methylamine. The amines present in these reactions were incorporated into the products by means of amide-group formation.

Discovery of Tropifexor (LJN452), a Highly Potent Non-bile Acid FXR Agonist for the Treatment of Cholestatic Liver Diseases and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH).

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a nuclear receptor that acts as a master regulator of bile acid metabolism and signaling. Activation of FXR inhibits bile acid synthesis and increases bile acid conjugation, transport, and excretion, thereby protecting the liver from the harmful effects of bile accumulation, leading to considerable interest in FXR as a therapeutic target for the treatment of cholestasis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. We identified a novel series of highly potent non-bile acid FXR agonists that introduce a bicyclic nortropine-substituted benzothiazole carboxylic acid moiety onto a trisubstituted isoxazole scaffold. Herein, we report the discovery of 1 (tropifexor, LJN452), a novel and highly potent agonist of FXR. Potent in vivo activity was demonstrated in rodent PD models by measuring the induction of FXR target genes in various tissues. Tropifexor has advanced into phase 2 human clinical trials in patients with NASH and PBC.

Novel tricyclic pyrazolopyrimidines as potent and selective GPR119 agonists.

Systematic SAR optimization of the GPR119 agonist lead 1, derived from an internal HTS campaign, led to compound 29. Compound 29 displays significantly improved in vitro activity and oral exposure, leading to GLP1 elevation in acutely dosed mice and reduced glucose excursion in an OGTT study in rats at doses ⩾10 mg/kg.

Discovery of structurally novel, potent and orally efficacious GPR119 agonists.

Screening hit 5 was identified in a biochemical screen for GPR119 agonists. Compound 5 was structurally novel, displayed modest biochemical activity and no oral exposure, but was structurally distinct from typical GPR119 agonist scaffolds. Systematic optimization led to compound 36 with significantly improved in vitro activity and oral exposure, to elevate GLP1 acutely in an in vivo mouse model at a dose of 10mg/kg.

Discovery and biological evaluation of benzo[a]carbazole-based small molecule agonists of the thrombopoietin (Tpo) receptor.

A novel series of benzo[a]carbazole-based small molecule agonists of the thrombopoietin (Tpo) receptor is reported. Starting from a 3.4 microM high throughput screen hit, members of this series have been identified which are full agonists with functional potency <50 nM and oral bioavailability in mice.

Optimization of small molecule agonists of the thrombopoietin (Tpo) receptor derived from a benzo[a]carbazole hit scaffold.

The lead optimization of a novel series of benzo[a]carbazole-based small molecule agonists of the thrombopoietin (Tpo) receptor is reported. The chemical instability of the dihydro-benzo[a]carbazole lead 2 was successfully addressed in the design and evaluation of compounds which also demonstrated improved potency compared to 2. Members of the scaffold have been identified which are full agonists that demonstrate cellular functional potency <50 nM. Analog 21 demonstrates equivalent efficacy in the human megakaryocyte differentiation (CFU-mega) assay compared to Eltrombopag.

Synthesis and SAR of arylaminoethyl amides as noncovalent inhibitors of cathepsin S: P3 cyclic ethers.

The synthesis and structure-activity relationship of a series of arylaminoethyl amide cathepsin S inhibitors are reported. Optimization of P3 and P2 groups to improve overall physicochemical properties resulted in significant improvements in oral bioavailability over early lead compounds. An X-ray structure of compound 37 bound to the active site of cathepsin S is also reported.

Arylaminoethyl carbamates as a novel series of potent and selective cathepsin S inhibitors.

We report a novel series of noncovalent inhibitors of cathepsin S. The synthesis of the peptidomimetic scaffold is described and structure-activity relationships of P3, P1, and P1' subunits are discussed. Lead optimization to a non-peptidic scaffold has resulted in a new class of potent, highly selective, and orally bioavailable cathepsin S inhibitors.

Synthesis and evaluation of arylaminoethyl amides as noncovalent inhibitors of cathepsin S. Part 3: heterocyclic P3.

A series of N(alpha)-2-benzoxazolyl-alpha-amino acid-(arylaminoethyl)amides were identified as potent, selective, and noncovalent inhibitors of cathepsin S. Structure-activity relationships including strategies for modulating the selectivities among cathepsins S, K, and L, and in vivo pharmacokinetics are discussed. A X-ray structure of compound 3 bound to the active site of cathepsin S is also reported.

Design and synthesis of arylaminoethyl amides as noncovalent inhibitors of cathepsin S. Part 1.

A series of Nalpha-acyl-alpha-amino acid-(arylaminoethyl)amides were found to be potent and noncovalent cathepsin S inhibitors. Compound 20 possessed high cathepsin S affinity (Ki=3.3 nM) and showed excellent selectivity over cathepsin K, L, F, and V. Molecular modeling, design, synthesis, and in vitro activity are described.

Practical synthesis and elaboration of methyl 7-chloroindole-4-carboxylate.

A synthesis of a previously unknown indole derivative is presented. The route reported herein allows for the preparation of multihundred gram quantities of material without any chromatographic purification. Conditions are presented for the Pd-catalyzed elaboration of one of the "diversity generating elements" of this important pharmacophore.