Albumin binding Nanofitins, a new scaffold to extend half-life of biologics - a case study with exenatide peptide.

A new strategy of peptide half-life extension has been evaluated. We investigated libraries of a small and very stable protein scaffold called Nanofitin, capable of high affinity for protein targets. We have identified Nanofitins targeting Human and mouse Serum Albumin, which could significantly improve the pharmacokinetics of an active associated peptide, mobilizing the patient's own albumin without external source. To demonstrate the impact of this approach on half-life extension, a genetic fusion of an Exenatide peptide with an Albumin Binding Nanofitin (ABNF) was performed. Specific activity of Exenatide-ABNF was measured and unaffected by the fusion. In vivo mice results provided convincing data (t½ of 8 min for Exenatide peptide compared to 20 h for Exenatide-ABNF) with sustained pharmacological activity over 3 days. This study constitutes a proof-of-concept of in vivo half-life extension of a biologic using an ABNF. Besides, the absence of cysteine in the Nanofitin scaffold, which is therefore devoid of structuring disulfide bonds, allows manufacturing in microbial cost effective systems.

Selective blockade of the hydrolysis of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol impairs learning and memory performance while producing antinociceptive activity in rodents.

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) represents a primary degradation enzyme of the endogenous cannabinoid (eCB), 2-arachidonoyglycerol (2-AG). This study reports a potent covalent MAGL inhibitor, SAR127303. The compound behaves as a selective and competitive inhibitor of mouse and human MAGL, which potently elevates hippocampal levels of 2-AG in mice. In vivo, SAR127303 produces antinociceptive effects in assays of inflammatory and visceral pain. In addition, the drug alters learning performance in several assays related to episodic, working and spatial memory. Moreover, long term potentiation (LTP) of CA1 synaptic transmission and acetylcholine release in the hippocampus, two hallmarks of memory function, are both decreased by SAR127303. Although inactive in acute seizure tests, repeated administration of SAR127303 delays the acquisition and decreases kindled seizures in mice, indicating that the drug slows down epileptogenesis, a finding deserving further investigation to evaluate the potential of MAGL inhibitors as antiepileptics. However, the observation that 2-AG hydrolysis blockade alters learning and memory performance, suggests that such drugs may have limited value as therapeutic agents.

Discovery of (2S)-8-[(3R)-3-methylmorpholin-4-yl]-1-(3-methyl-2-oxobutyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-6-one: a novel potent and selective inhibitor of Vps34 for the treatment of solid tumors.

Vps34 (the human class III phosphoinositide 3-kinase) is a lipid kinase involved in vesicle trafficking and autophagy and therefore constitutes an interesting target for cancer treatment. Because of the lack of specific Vps34 kinase inhibitors, we aimed to identify such compounds to further validate the role of this lipid kinase in cancer maintenance and progression. Herein, we report the discovery of a series of tetrahydropyrimidopyrimidinone derivatives. Starting with hit compound 1a, medicinal chemistry optimization led to compound 31. This molecule displays potent activity, an exquisite selectivity for Vps34 with excellent properties. The X-ray crystal structure of compound 31 in human Vps34 illustrates how the unique molecular features of the morpholine synthon bestows selectivity against class I PI3Ks. This molecule exhibits suitable in vivo mouse PK parameters and induces a sustained inhibition of Vps34 upon acute administration. Compound 31 constitutes an optimized Vps34 inhibitor that could be used to investigate human cancer biology.

Discovery and optimization of pyrimidone indoline amide PI3Kß inhibitors for the treatment of phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN)-deficient cancers.

Compelling molecular biology publications have reported the implication of phosphoinositide kinase PI3Kß in PTEN-deficient cell line growth and proliferation. These findings supported a scientific rationale for the development of PI3Kß-specific inhibitors for the treatment of PTEN-deficient cancers. This paper describes the discovery of 2-[2-(2,3-dihydro-indol-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-6-morpholin-4-yl-3H-pyrimidin-4-one (7) and the optimization of this new series of active and selective pyrimidone indoline amide PI3Kß inhibitors. 2-[2-(2-Methyl-2,3-dihydro-indol-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-6-morpholin-4-yl-3H-pyrimidin-4-one (28), identified following a carefully designed methyl scan, displayed improved physicochemical and in vitro pharmacokinetic properties. Structural biology efforts enabled the acquisition of the first X-ray cocrystal structure of p110ß with the selective inhibitor compound 28 bound to the ATP site. The nonplanar binding mode described herein is consistent with observed structure-activity relationship for the series. Compound 28 demonstrated significant in vivo activity in a UACC-62 xenograft model in mice, warranting further preclinical investigation. Following successful development, compound 28 entered phase I/Ib clinical trial in patients with advanced cancer.

Preparation and optimization of new 4-(morpholin-4-yl)-(6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyrimidin-2-yl)amide derivatives as PI3Kß inhibitors.

From a HTS campaign, a new series of pyrimidone anilides exemplified by compound 1 has been identified with good inhibitory activity for the PI3Kß isoform. The structure of compound 1 in PI3Kγ was solved revealing a binding mode in agreement with the SAR observed on PI3Kß. These compounds displayed inhibition in the nanomolar range in the biochemical assay and were also potent p-Akt inhibitors in a PTEN-deficient PC3 prostate cancer cell line. Optimization of in vitro pharmocokinetic properties led to compound 25 exhibiting 52% bioavailability in mice and target engagement in an acute PK/PD study.

Discovery and optimization of new benzimidazole- and benzoxazole-pyrimidone selective PI3Kß inhibitors for the treatment of phosphatase and TENsin homologue (PTEN)-deficient cancers.

Most of the phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) kinase inhibitors currently in clinical trials for cancer treatment exhibit pan PI3K isoform profiles. Single PI3K isoforms differentially control tumorigenesis, and PI3Kß has emerged as the isoform involved in the tumorigenicity of PTEN-deficient tumors. Herein we describe the discovery and optimization of a new series of benzimidazole- and benzoxazole-pyrimidones as small molecular mass PI3Kß-selective inhibitors. Starting with compound 5 obtained from a one-pot reaction via a novel intermediate 1, medicinal chemistry optimization led to the discovery of compound 8, which showed a significant activity and selectivity for PI3Kß and adequate in vitro pharmacokinetic properties. The X-ray costructure of compound 8 in PI3Kδ showed key interactions and structural features supporting the observed PI3Kß isoform selectivity. Compound 8 achieved sustained target modulation and tumor growth delay at well tolerated doses when administered orally to SCID mice implanted with PTEN-deficient human tumor xenografts.

Sulfonylthiadiazoles with an unusual binding mode as partial dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ/δ agonists with high potency and in†vivo efficacy.

Compounds that simultaneously activate the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) subtypes PPARγ and PPARδ have the potential to effectively target dyslipidemia and type II diabetes in a single pharmaceutically active molecule. The frequently observed side effects of selective PPARγ agonists, such as edema and weight gain, are expected to be overcome by using partial instead of full agonists for this nuclear receptor family. Herein we report the discovery, synthesis, and optimization of a novel series of sulfonylthiadiazoles that are active as partial agonists. The initial compound 6 was discovered by high-throughput screening as a moderate partial PPARδ agonist; its optimization was based on the X-ray crystal structure in complex with PPARδ. In contrast to other PPARδ agonists, this ligand does not interact directly with residues from the activation helix AF-2, which might be linked to its partial agonistic effect. Interestingly, the thiadiazole moiety fills a novel subpocket, which becomes accessible after moderate conformational rearrangement. The optimization was focused on introducing conformational constraints and replacing intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. Highly potent molecules with activity as dual partial PPARγ/δ agonists in the low nanomolar range were then identified. One of the most active members, compound 20 a, displayed EC50 values of 1.6 and 336 nM for PPARδ and γ, respectively. The X-ray crystal structure of its complex with PPARδ confirms our design hypothesis. Compound 20 a clearly displayed in vivo activity in two chronic mice studies. Lipids were modified in a beneficial way in normolipidemic mice, and the development of overt diabetes could be prevented in pre-diabetic db/db mice. However, body weight gain was similar to that observed with the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone. Hence, active compounds from this series can be considered as valuable tools to elucidate the complex roles of dual PPARγ/δ agonists for potential treatment of metabolic syndrome.

PA700, the regulatory complex of the 26S proteasome, interferes with alpha-synuclein assembly.

Parkinson's disease is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway accompanied by the presence of intracellular cytoplasmic inclusions, termed Lewy bodies. Fibrillized alpha-synuclein forms the major component of Lewy bodies. We reported a specific interaction between rat alpha-synuclein and tat binding protein 1, a subunit of PA700, the regulatory complex of the 26S proteasome. It has been demonstrated that PA700 prevents the aggregation of misfolded, nonubiquinated substrates. In this study, we examine the effect of PA700 on the aggregation of wild-type and A53T mutant alpha-synuclein. PA700 inhibits both wild-type and A53T alpha-synuclein fibril formation as measured by Thioflavin T fluorescence. Using size exclusion chromatography, we present evidence for a stable PA700-alpha-synuclein complex. Sedimentation analyses reveal that PA700 sequesters alpha-synuclein in an assembly incompetent form. Analysis of the morphology of wild-type and A53T alpha-synuclein aggregates during the course of fibrillization by electron microscopy demonstrate the formation of amyloid-like fibrils. Secondary structure analyses of wild-type and A53T alpha-synuclein assembled in the presence of PA700 revealed a decrease in the overall amount of assembled alpha-synuclein with no significant change in protein conformation. Thus, PA700 acts on alpha-synuclein assembly and not on the structure of fibrils. We hypothesize that PA700 sequesters alpha-synuclein oligomeric species that are the precursors of the fibrillar form of the protein, thus preventing its assembly into fibrils.