Discovery of 2-[4-{{2-(2S,5R)-2-cyano-5-ethynyl-1-pyrrolidinyl]-2-oxoethyl]amino]- 4-methyl-1-piperidinyl]-4-pyridinecarboxylic acid (ABT-279): a very potent, selective, effective, and well-tolerated inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV, useful for the treatment of diabetes.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors are poised to be the next major drug class for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Structure-activity studies of substitutions at the C5 position of the 2-cyanopyrrolidide warhead led to the discovery of potent inhibitors of DPP-IV that lack activity against DPP8 and DPP9. Further modification led to an extremely potent (Ki(DPP)(-)(IV) = 1.0 nM) and selective (Ki(DPP8) > 30 microM; Ki(DPP9) > 30 microM) clinical candidate, ABT-279, that is orally available, efficacious, and remarkably safe in preclinical safety studies.

Discovery, structure-activity relationship, and pharmacological evaluation of (5-substituted-pyrrolidinyl-2-carbonyl)-2-cyanopyrrolidines as potent dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors.

A series of (5-substituted pyrrolidinyl-2-carbonyl)-2-cyanopyrrolidine (C5-Pro-Pro) analogues was discovered as dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) inhibitors as a potential treatment of diabetes and obesity. X-ray crystallography data show that these inhibitors bind to the catalytic site of DPPIV with the cyano group forming a covalent bond with the serine residue of DPPIV. The C5-substituents make various interactions with the enzyme and affect potency, chemical stability, selectivity, and PK properties of the inhibitors. Optimized analogues are extremely potent with subnanomolar K(i)'s, are chemically stable, show very little potency decrease in the presence of plasma, and exhibit more than 1,000-fold selectivity against related peptidases. The best compounds also possess good PK and are efficacious in lowering blood glucose in an oral glucose tolerance test in ZDF rats.

Development of a catalytic enantioselective conjugate addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to nitroalkenes for the synthesis of endothelin-A antagonist ABT-546. Scope, mechanism, and further application to the synthesis of the antidepressant rolipram.

The enantioselective synthesis of endothelin-A antagonist ABT-546 has been accomplished via the discovery and development of a highly selective catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of ketoesters to nitroolefins. Employing just 4 mol % bis(oxazoline)-Mg(OTf)(2) complex with an amine cocatalyst, we obtained the product nitroketone with 88% selectivity at the aryl-bearing stereocenter and in good yield on scales ranging to 13 mol. The effects of ligand structure, metal salt, and solvent on the reaction are described. Particularly important to the reaction is the water content. While water is necessary during the generation of the catalyst, the water must be then removed to maximize stereoselectivity and reactivity. The reaction has been extended to other dicarbonyl substrates, and a variety of substitution patterns are tolerated on the nitroolefin partner. The reaction has also been employed in the synthesis of the antidepressant rolipram. Investigations relating to the mechanism of the reaction are also described.