Structure guided design of a series of selective pyrrolopyrimidinone MARK inhibitors.

The initial structure activity relationships around an isoindoline uHTS hit will be described. Information gleaned from ligand co-crystal structures allowed for rapid refinements in both MARK potency and kinase selectivity. These efforts allowed for the identification of a compound with properties suitable for use as an in vitro tool compound for validation studies on MARK as a viable target for Alzheimer's disease.

MARK inhibitors: Declaring a No-Go decision on a chemical series based on extensive DMPK experimentation.

Attempts to optimize pharmacokinetic properties in a promising series of pyrrolopyrimidinone MARK inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease are described. A focus on physical properties and ligand efficiency while prosecuting this series afforded key tool compounds that revealed a large discrepancy in the rat in vitro-in vivo DMPK (Drug Metabolism/Pharmacokinetics) correlation. These differences prompted an in vivo rat disposition study employing a radiolabeled representative of the series, and the results from this experiment justified the termination of any further optimization efforts.

Thiophene carboxamide inhibitors of JAK2 as potential treatments for myleoproliferative neoplasms.

A series of carboxamide-substituted thiophenes demonstrating inhibition of JAK2 is described. Development of this chemical series began with the bioisosteric replacement of a urea substituent by a pyridyl ring. Issues of chemical and metabolic stability were solved using the results of both in vitro and in vivo studies, ultimately delivering compounds such as 24 and 25 that performed well in an acute PK/PD model measuring p-STAT5 inhibition.

Efficacious intermittent dosing of a novel JAK2 inhibitor in mouse models of polycythemia vera.

A high percentage of patients with the myeloproliferative disorder polycythemia vera (PV) harbor a Val617→Phe activating mutation in the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene, and both cell culture and mouse models have established a functional role for this mutation in the development of this disease. We describe the properties of MRLB-11055, a highly potent inhibitor of both the WT and V617F forms of JAK2, that has therapeutic efficacy in erythropoietin (EPO)-driven and JAK2V617F-driven mouse models of PV. In cultured cells, MRLB-11055 blocked proliferation and induced apoptosis in a manner consistent with JAK2 pathway inhibition. MRLB-11055 effectively prevented EPO-induced STAT5 activation in the peripheral blood of acutely dosed mice, and could prevent EPO-induced splenomegaly and erythrocytosis in chronically dosed mice. In a bone marrow reconstituted JAK2V617F-luciferase murine PV model, MRLB-11055 rapidly reduced the burden of JAK2V617F-expressing cells from both the spleen and the bone marrow. Using real-time in vivo imaging, we examined the kinetics of disease regression and resurgence, enabling the development of an intermittent dosing schedule that achieved significant reductions in both erythroid and myeloid populations with minimal impact on lymphoid cells. Our studies provide a rationale for the use of non-continuous treatment to provide optimal therapy for PV patients.

Parallel medicinal chemistry approaches to selective HDAC1/HDAC2 inhibitor (SHI-1:2) optimization.

The successful application of both solid and solution phase library synthesis, combined with tight integration into the medicinal chemistry effort, resulted in the efficient optimization of a novel structural series of selective HDAC1/HDAC2 inhibitors by the MRL-Boston Parallel Medicinal Chemistry group. An initial lead from a small parallel library was found to be potent and selective in biochemical assays. Advanced compounds were the culmination of iterative library design and possess excellent biochemical and cellular potency, as well as acceptable PK and efficacy in animal models.