2-(Fluoromethoxy)-4'-(S-methanesulfonimidoyl)-1,1'-biphenyl (UCM-1306), an Orally Bioavailable Positive Allosteric Modulator of the Human Dopamine D1 Receptor for Parkinson's Disease.

Tolerance development caused by dopamine replacement with l-DOPA and therapeutic drawbacks upon activation of dopaminergic receptors with orthosteric agonists reveal a significant unmet need for safe and effective treatment of Parkinson's disease. In search for selective modulators of the D1 receptor, the screening of a chemical library and subsequent medicinal chemistry program around an identified hit resulted in new synthetic compound 26 [UCM-1306, 2-(fluoromethoxy)-4'-(S-methanesulfonimidoyl)-1,1'-biphenyl] that increases the dopamine maximal effect in a dose-dependent manner in human and mouse D1 receptors, is inactive in the absence of dopamine, modulates dopamine affinity for the receptor, exhibits subtype selectivity, and displays low binding competition with orthosteric ligands. The new allosteric modulator potentiates cocaine-induced locomotion and enhances l-DOPA recovery of decreased locomotor activity in reserpinized mice after oral administration. The behavior of compound 26 supports the interest of a positive allosteric modulator of the D1 receptor as a promising therapeutic approach for Parkinson's disease.

4-Amino-7,8-dihydro-1,6-naphthyridin-5(6 H)-ones as Inhaled Phosphodiesterase Type 4 (PDE4) Inhibitors: Structural Biology and Structure-Activity Relationships.

Rational design of a novel template of naphthyridinones rapidly led to PDE4 inhibitors with subnanomolar enzymatic potencies. X-ray crystallography confirmed the binding mode of this novel template. We achieved compounds with double-digit picomolar enzymatic potencies through further structure-based design by targeting both the PDE4 enzyme metal-binding pocket and occupying the solvent-filled pocket. A strategy for lung retention and long duration of action based on low aqueous solubility was followed. In vivo efficacies were measured in a rat lung neutrophilia model by suspension microspray and dry powder administration. Suspension microspray of potent compounds showed in vivo efficacy with a clear dose-response. Despite sustained lung levels, dry powder administration performed much less well and without proper dose-response, highlighting clear differences between the two formulations. This indicates a deficiency in the low aqueous solubility strategy for long duration lung efficacy.

Biphenyl Pyridazinone Derivatives as Inhaled PDE4 Inhibitors: Structural Biology and Structure-Activity Relationships.

Cyclic nucleotide cAMP is a ubiquitous secondary messenger involved in a plethora of cellular responses to biological agents involving activation of adenylyl cyclase. Its intracellular levels are tightly controlled by a family of cyclic nucleotide degrading enzymes, the PDEs. In recent years, cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) has aroused scientific attention as a suitable target for anti-inflammatory therapy in respiratory diseases, particularly in the management of asthma and COPD. Here we describe our efforts to discover novel, highly potent inhaled inhibitors of PDE4. Through structure based design, with the inclusion of a variety of functional groups and physicochemical profiles in order to occupy the solvent-filled pocket of the PDE4 enzyme, we modified the structure of our oral PDE4 inhibitors to reach compounds down to picomolar enzymatic potencies while at the same time tackling successfully an uncovered selectivity issue with the adenosine receptors. In vitro potencies were demonstrated in a rat lung neutrophilia model by administration of a suspension with a Penn-Century MicroSprayer Aerosolizer.

Structure-activity relationships (SAR) and structure-kinetic relationships (SKR) of sulphone-based CRTh2 antagonists.

Monocyclic and bicyclic ring systems were investigated as the "core" section of a series of diphenylsulphone-containing acetic acid CRTh2 receptor antagonists. A range of potencies were observed and single-digit nanomolar potencies were obtained in both the monocyclic and bicyclic cores. Residence times for the monocyclic compounds were very short. Some of the bicyclic cores displayed better residence times. A methyl group in the northern part of the core, between the head and tail was a necessary requirement for the beginnings of long residence times. Variations of the tail substitution maximised potencies and residence times.

Structure-activity relationships (SAR) and structure-kinetic relationships (SKR) of bicyclic heteroaromatic acetic acids as potent CRTh2 antagonists I.

A knowledge-based design strategy led to the discovery of several new series of potent and orally bioavailable CRTh2 antagonists where a bicyclic heteroaromatic ring serves as the central core. Structure-kinetic relationships (SKR) opened up the possibility of long receptor residence times.

Structure-activity relationships (SAR) and structure-kinetic relationships (SKR) of pyrrolopiperidinone acetic acids as CRTh2 antagonists.

Pyrrolopiperidinone acetic acids (PPAs) were identified as highly potent CRTh2 receptor antagonists. In addition, many of these compounds displayed slow-dissociation kinetics from the receptor. Structure-kinetic relationship (SKR) studies allowed optimisation of the kinetics to give potent analogues with long receptor residence half-lives of up to 23 h. Low permeability was a general feature of this series, however oral bioavailability could be achieved through the use of ester prodrugs.

Structure-activity relationships (SAR) and structure-kinetic relationships (SKR) of bicyclic heteroaromatic acetic acids as potent CRTh2 antagonists II: lead optimization.

Extensive structure-activity relationship (SAR) and structure-kinetic relationship (SKR) studies in the bicyclic heteroaromatic series of CRTh2 antagonists led to the identification of several molecules that possessed both excellent binding and cellular potencies along with long receptor residence times. A small substituent in the bicyclic core provided an order of magnitude jump in dissociation half-lives. Selected optimized compounds demonstrated suitable pharmacokinetic profiles.

Structure-activity relationships (SAR) and structure-kinetic relationships (SKR) of bicyclic heteroaromatic acetic acids as potent CRTh2 antagonists III: the role of a hydrogen-bond acceptor in long receptor residence times.

The correct positioning and orientation of an hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) in the tail portion of the biaryl series of CRTh2 antagonists is a requirement for long receptor residence time. The HBA in combination with a small steric substituent in the core section (R(core) ≠ H) gives access to compounds with dissociation half-lives of ⩾ 24h.

2-(1H-Pyrazol-1-yl)acetic acids as chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 lymphocytes (CRTh2) antagonists.

In this manuscript, the synthesis and biological activity of a series of pyrazole acetic acid derivatives as CRTh2 antagonists is presented. Biological evaluation in vitro revealed that the pyrazole core showed in several cases a different structure-activity relationship (SAR) to that of related indole acetic acid. A potent series of ortho-sulfonyl benzyl substituents was found, from which compounds 27 and 63 were advanced to in vivo profiling.

Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors: a review of current developments (2010 - 2012).

INTRODUCTION: At last, after many years of research, roflumilast has become the first oral phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor to be approved by the medical agencies as an add-on therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A second compound, apremilast is targeted for submission of new drug application for the treatment of psoriasis in the second half of 2013. These compounds represent a breakthrough and a reward in the field after the many failures to date in clinical development. AREAS COVERED: This review summarizes the clinical development of PDE4 inhibitors from 2010 - 2012 and the associated patent literature with a focus on strategies to overcome the common pitfalls of oral PDE4 inhibitors. EXPERT OPINION: In the last few years, influenced by the body of published clinical data, many companies have lost interest in PDE4 as a target. Many of those that have persevered have opted to realign their research programs either toward compounds specifically designed for inhaled delivery or in search of an increase in clinical efficacy by combining two mechanisms in a single compound. This change is reflected by the continued disclosure of novel and chemically diverse molecules, indicating for some in the pharmaceutical industry that all is not yet lost.

2-(1H-Pyrazol-4-yl)acetic acids as CRTh2 antagonists.

High throughput screening identified the pyrazole-4-acetic acid substructure as CRTh2 receptor antagonists. Optimisation of the compounds uncovered a tight SAR but also identified some low nanomolar inhibitors.

Spiroindolines identify the vesicular acetylcholine transporter as a novel target for insecticide action.

The efficacy of all major insecticide classes continues to be eroded by the development of resistance mediated, in part, by selection of alleles encoding insecticide insensitive target proteins. The discovery of new insecticide classes acting at novel protein binding sites is therefore important for the continued protection of the food supply from insect predators, and of human and animal health from insect borne disease. Here we describe a novel class of insecticides (Spiroindolines) encompassing molecules that combine excellent activity against major agricultural pest species with low mammalian toxicity. We confidently assign the vesicular acetylcholine transporter as the molecular target of Spiroindolines through the combination of molecular genetics in model organisms with a pharmacological approach in insect tissues. The vesicular acetylcholine transporter can now be added to the list of validated insecticide targets in the acetylcholine signalling pathway and we anticipate that this will lead to the discovery of novel molecules useful in sustaining agriculture. In addition to their potential as insecticides and nematocides, Spiroindolines represent the only other class of chemical ligands for the vesicular acetylcholine transporter since those based on the discovery of vesamicol over 40 years ago, and as such, have potential to provide more selective tools for PET imaging in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease. They also provide novel biochemical tools for studies of the function of this protein family.

ROMPgel beads in IRORI format: acylations revisited.

Functionalized "designer" polymers derived from ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMPgels) are attractive for their high loading, high purity, and ease of synthesis. Their physical state may vary from liquid to gel to granular solid, making a general method of handling these polymers difficult. By incorporating a suitable norbornene-substituted linker on standard Wang beads, ROMPgels can be easily grafted onto the resin, adding the convenience of a bead format while still maintaining the high loading and excellent site accessibility. This advantage is demonstrated by the use of an N-hydroxysuccinimide ROMPgel (3.3 mmol g(-1), a 3-fold increase from the parent linker resin) in IRORI Kan format. Conditions for the acylation of these IRORI-formatted ROMPgels are reported, along with the scope and limitations of the choice of acylating reagents. Yields are greatly improved by the use of perfluorinated solvents as a nonparticipating cosolvent in the acylation process. A simple titration method for the quantification of the acylated ROMPgels is also reported. Spent Kans are regenerated after each use without apparent loss of activity or purity after several cycles. Due to the high loading and reduced swelling of the ROMPgel resin, up to 0.39 mmol acyl group has successfully been recovered from a single IRORI miniKan, demonstrating the high capacity of the resin and applicability to both lead discovery and optimization programs.