Discovery of (3-(4-(2-Oxa-6-azaspiro[3.3]heptan-6-ylmethyl)phenoxy)azetidin-1-yl)(5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)methanone (AZD1979), a Melanin Concentrating Hormone Receptor 1 (MCHr1) Antagonist with Favorable Physicochemical Properties.

A novel series of melanin concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCHr1) antagonists were the starting point for a drug discovery program that culminated in the discovery of 103 (AZD1979). The lead optimization program was conducted with a focus on reducing lipophilicity and understanding the physicochemical properties governing CNS exposure and undesired off-target pharmacology such as hERG interactions. An integrated approach was taken where the key assay was ex vivo receptor occupancy in mice. The candidate compound 103 displayed appropriate lipophilicity for a CNS indication and showed excellent permeability with no efflux. Preclinical GLP toxicology and safety pharmacology studies were without major findings and 103 was taken into clinical trials.

Identification of positron emission tomography (PET) tracer candidates by prediction of the target-bound fraction in the brain.

BACKGROUND: Development of tracers for imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) is often a time-consuming process associated with considerable attrition. In an effort to simplify this process, we herein propose a mechanistically integrated approach for the selection of tracer candidates based on in vitro measurements of ligand affinity (Kd), non-specific binding in brain tissue (Vu,brain), and target protein expression (Bmax). METHODS: A dataset of 35 functional and 12 non-functional central nervous system (CNS) PET tracers was compiled. Data was identified in literature for Kd and Bmax, whereas a brain slice methodology was used to determine values for Vu,brain. A mathematical prediction model for the target-bound fraction of tracer in the brain (ftb) was derived and evaluated with respect to how well it predicts tracer functionality compared to traditional PET tracer candidate selection criteria. RESULTS: The methodology correctly classified 31/35 functioning and 12/12 non-functioning tracers. This predictivity was superior to traditional classification criteria or combinations thereof. CONCLUSIONS: The presented CNS PET tracer identification approach is rapid and accurate and is expected to facilitate the development of novel PET tracers for the molecular imaging community.

Binding properties of antagonists to cannabinoid receptors in intact cells.

The implication of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB(1) receptor) in several pathophysiological states has sparked the development of selective antagonists. Here we compare binding of the antagonists [(3) H]-AZ12491187, [(3) H]-taranabant and [(3) H]-rimonabant to intact human embryonic kidney cells stably expressing recombinant human CB(1) receptors (CB1r cells). Unlabelled ligands decreased the total binding of the three radioligands with closely the same order of potency: i.e. AZ12288553∼AZ12491187∼taranabant>rimonabant. Nondisplaceable (i.e. nonspecific) binding to the CB1r cells was the same as total binding to the wells containing untransfected cells and it was more pronounced for [(3) H]-AZ12491187 and [(3) H]-rimonabant than for [(3) H]-taranabant. [(3) H]-Rimonabant and (to a lesser extent) [(3) H]-AZ12491187 were also prone to bind nonspecifically to the walls of the wells. Compared to the other radioligands, [(3) H]-rimonabant displayed lower potency for the CB(1) receptors in saturation binding studies and faster association and dissociation in kinetic experiments. When dissociated, the three radioligands also showed prominent rebinding to the cells in medium only. This could be relieved by the presence of excess of unlabelled ligand and of bovine serum albumin (BSA) but a combination thereof was most efficient. The long 'residence time' of AZ12491187 at the CB(1) receptor (because of slow dissociation and prominent rebinding) and its pronounced incorporation into the membranes of the cells could contribute to long-lasting in vivo CB(1) receptor blockade.