C5-Alkyl-2-methylurea-Substituted Pyridines as a New Class of Glucokinase Activators.

Glucokinase (GK) activators represent a class of type 2 diabetes therapeutics actively pursued due to the central role that GK plays in regulating glucose homeostasis. Herein we report a novel C5-alkyl-2-methylurea-substituted pyridine series of GK activators derived from our previously reported thiazolylamino pyridine series. Our efforts in optimizing potency, enzyme kinetic properties, and metabolic stability led to the identification of compound 26 (AM-9514). This analogue showed a favorable combination of in vitro potency, enzyme kinetic properties, acceptable pharmacokinetic profiles in preclinical species, and robust efficacy in a rodent PD model.

Discovery and preclinical pharmacology of a selective ATP-competitive Akt inhibitor (GDC-0068) for the treatment of human tumors.

The discovery and optimization of a series of 6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[d]pyrimidine compounds that are ATP-competitive, selective inhibitors of protein kinase B/Akt is reported. The initial design and optimization was guided by the use of X-ray structures of inhibitors in complex with Akt1 and the closely related protein kinase A. The resulting compounds demonstrate potent inhibition of all three Akt isoforms in biochemical assays and poor inhibition of other members of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase/protein kinase G/protein kinase C extended family and block the phosphorylation of multiple downstream targets of Akt in human cancer cell lines. Biological studies with one such compound, 28 (GDC-0068), demonstrate good oral exposure resulting in dose-dependent pharmacodynamic effects on downstream biomarkers and a robust antitumor response in xenograft models in which the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin pathway is activated. 28 is currently being evaluated in human clinical trials for the treatment of cancer.

Discovery and SAR of spirochromane Akt inhibitors.

A novel series of spirochromane pan-Akt inhibitors is reported. SAR optimization furnished compounds with improved enzyme potencies and excellent selectivity over the related AGC kinase PKA. Attempted replacement of the phenol hinge binder provided compounds with excellent Akt enzyme and cell activities but greatly diminished selectivity over PKA.

Discovery of spirocyclic sulfonamides as potent Akt inhibitors with exquisite selectivity against PKA.

We describe the design and synthesis of novel bicyclic spiro sulfonamides as potent Akt inhibitors. Through structure-based rational design, we have successfully improved PKA selectivity of previously disclosed spirochromanes. Representative compounds showed favorable Akt potency while exhibiting up to 1000-fold selectivity against PKA.

Discovery of dihydrothieno- and dihydrofuropyrimidines as potent pan Akt inhibitors.

Herein we report the discovery and synthesis of a novel series of dihydrothieno- and dihydrofuropyrimidines (2 and 3) as potent pan Akt inhibitors. Utilizing previous SAR and analysis of the amino acid sequences in the binding site we have designed inhibitors displaying increased PKA and general kinase selectivity with improved tolerability compared to the progenitor pyrrolopyrimidine (1). A representative dihydrothieno compound (34) was advanced into a PC3-NCI prostate mouse tumor model in which it demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in tumor growth and stasis when dosed orally daily at 200 mg/kg.

Discovery of pyrrolopyrimidine inhibitors of Akt.

The discovery and optimization of a series of pyrrolopyrimidine based protein kinase B (Pkb/Akt) inhibitors discovered via HTS and structure based drug design is reported. The compounds demonstrate potent inhibition of all three Akt isoforms and knockdown of phospho-PRAS40 levels in LNCaP cells and tumor xenografts.

Diversification of the three-component coupling of 2-aminoheterocycles, aldehydes, and isonitriles: efficient parallel synthesis of a diverse and druglike library of imidazo- and tetrahydroimidazo[1,2-a] heterocycles.

Due to their diverse range of biological activities, imidazoheterocycles are recognized as privileged structures making these structural motifs attractive targets for library preparation. We report herein the synthesis of a sizable collection of imidazo[1,2- a]heterocycle scaffolds well-suited for divergent library preparation by virtue of amine functional handles with diverse positioning and connectivities. Partial reduction of imidazo[1,2- a]pyrazines to the tetrahydroimidazo[1,2- a]pyrazines and regiospecific Mannich-type bond formation at the C-3 of imidazo[1,2- a]pyridine under mild conditions achieved additional topological and connective diversity within the scaffold collection. Subsequent parallel reaction of the functionalized imidazoheterocycles with polystyrene-tetrafluorophenol esters and sulfonates produced a 7500 compound library in high purity.

Efficient, stereoselective synthesis of oxazolo[3,2-a]pyrazin-5-ones: novel bicyclic lactam scaffolds from the bicyclocondensation of 3-aza-1,5-ketoacids and amino alcohols.

[reaction: see text] The bicyclocondensation of 3-aza-1,5-ketoacids and amino alcohols furnished novel oxazolo[3,2-a]pyrazin-5-one scaffolds possessing angular, ring junction substituents in high yield with excellent levels of substrate-based diastereocontrol. Mild oxidation of serinol-derived scaffolds provided access to a new class of constrained dipeptide surrogates. Deprotection of the endocyclic amine contained within these scaffolds allows for further diversification via N-functionalization.