MK-8325: A silyl proline-containing NS5A inhibitor with pan-genotype activity for treatment of HCV.

HCV NS5A inhibitors have shown impressive in vitro potency profiles in HCV replicon assays thus making them attractive components for inclusion in an all oral fixed dose combination regimen. Herein, we describe the discovery and characterization of silyl proline-containing HCV NS5A inhibitor MK-8325 with good pan-genotype activity and acceptable pharmacokinetic properties.

Design and synthesis of water soluble ß-aminosulfone analogues of SCH 900229 as γ-secretase inhibitors.

In this paper we describe our strategy to improve the aqueous solubility of SCH 900229, a potent PS1-selective γ-secretase inhibitor for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Incorporation of ionizable amino groups into the side chain terminal generates water soluble ß-aminosulfone analogues of SCH 900229 that maintain robust in vitro potency and in vivo efficacy.

Discovery of 2-(4-sulfonamidophenyl)-indole 3-carboxamides as potent and selective inhibitors with broad hepatitis C virus genotype activity targeting HCV NS4B.

A novel series of 2-(4-sulfonamidophenyl)-indole 3-carboxamides was identified and optimized for activity against the HCV genotype 1b replicon resulting in compounds with potent and selective activity. Further evaluation of this series demonstrated potent activity across HCV genotypes 1a, 2a and 3a. Compound 4z had reduced activity against HCV genotype 1b replicons containing single mutations in the NS4B coding sequence (F98C and V105M) indicating that NS4B is the target. This novel series of 2-(4-sulfonamidophenyl)-indole 3-carboxamides serves as a promising starting point for a pan-genotype HCV discovery program.

Alternative core development around the tetracyclic indole class of HCV NS5A inhibitors.

Herein, we describe our research efforts to develop unique cores in molecules which function as HCV nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) inhibitors. In particular, various fused tetracyclic cores were identified which showed genotype and mutant activities comparable to the indole-based tetracyclic core.

Matched and mixed cap derivatives in the tetracyclic indole class of HCV NS5A inhibitors.

A matched and mixed capping SAR study was conducted on the tetracyclic indole class of HCV NS5A inhibitors to examine the influence of modifications of this region on the overall HCV virologic resistance profiles.

Discovery of fused tricyclic core containing HCV NS5A inhibitors with pan-genotype activity.

HCV NS5A inhibitors have demonstrated impressive in vitro potency profiles in HCV replicon assays and robust HCV RNA titer reduction in the clinic making them attractive components for inclusion in an all oral fixed dose combination regimen for the treatment of HCV infection. Herein, we describe research efforts that led to the discovery of a series of fused tricyclic core containing HCV NS5A inhibitors such as 24, 39, 40, 43, and 44 which have pan-genotype activity and are orally bioavailable in the rat.

Alkyl substituted aminal derivatives of HCV NS5A inhibitor MK-8742.

HCV NS5A inhibitors have demonstrated impressive in vitro potency profiles in HCV replicon assays and robust HCV RNA titer reduction in the clinic making them attractive components for inclusion in an all oral fixed dose combination regimen for the treatment of HCV infection. Herein we describe our continued research efforts around the alkyl "Z group" modification of the tetracyclic indole-based NS5A inhibitor MK-8742, which led to the discovery of a series of potent NS5A inhibitors. Compounds 10 and 19 are of particular interests since they are as potent as our previous leads and have much improved rat pharmacokinetic profiles.

Discovery of silyl proline containing HCV NS5A inhibitors with pan-genotype activity: SAR development.

HCV NS5A inhibitors have shown impressive in vitro potency profiles in HCV replicon assays thus making them attractive components for inclusion in an all oral fixed dose combination treatment regimen. Herein we describe the research efforts that led to the discovery of silyl proline containing HCV NS5A inhibitors such as 7e and 8a with pan-genotype activity profile and acceptable pharmacokinetic properties.

6-(Azaindol-2-yl)pyridine-3-sulfonamides as potent and selective inhibitors targeting hepatitis C virus NS4B.

A structure-activity relationship investigation of various 6-(azaindol-2-yl)pyridine-3-sulfonamides using the HCV replicon cell culture assay led to the identification of a potent series of 7-azaindoles that target the hepatitis C virus NS4B. Compound 2ac, identified via further optimization of the series, has excellent potency against the HCV 1b replicon with an EC50 of 2nM and a selectivity index of >5000 with respect to cellular GAPDH RNA. Compound 2ac also has excellent oral plasma exposure levels in rats, dogs and monkeys and has a favorable liver to plasma distribution profile in rats.

Mechanism-based inactivation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 by two piperazine-containing compounds.

Human cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is responsible for the metabolism of more than half of pharmaceutic drugs, and inactivation of CYP3A4 can lead to adverse drug-drug interactions. The substituted imidazole compounds 5-fluoro-2-[4-[(2-phenyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl]-1-piperazinyl]pyrimidine (SCH 66712) and 1-[(2-ethyl-4-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl]-4-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl]piperazine (EMTPP) have been previously identified as mechanism-based inactivators (MBI) of CYP2D6. The present study shows that both SCH 66712 and EMTPP are also MBIs of CYP3A4. Inhibition of CYP3A4 by SCH 66712 and EMTPP was determined to be concentration, time, and NADPH dependent. In addition, inactivation of CYP3A4 by SCH 66712 was shown to be unaffected by the presence of electrophile scavengers. SCH 66712 displays type I binding to CYP3A4 with a spectral binding constant (Ks) of 42.9 ± 2.9 µM. The partition ratios for SCH 66712 and EMTPP were 11 and 94, respectively. Whole protein mass spectrum analysis revealed 1:1 binding stoichiometry of SCH 66712 and EMTPP to CYP3A4 and a mass increase consistent with adduction by the inactivators without addition of oxygen. Heme adduction was not apparent. Multiple mono-oxygenation products with each inactivator were observed; no other products were apparent. These are the first MBIs to be shown to be potent inactivators of both CYP2D6 and CYP3A4.

New class of azaheptapyridine FPT inhibitors as potential cancer therapy agents.

Tertiary hydroxyl class of C-imidazole bridgehead azaheptapyridine FPT inhibitors were prepared in an attempt to block in vivo oxidation of secondary hydroxyl series. One representative compound 5a exhibited potent enzyme (IC50=1.4 nM) and cellular activities (soft agar IC50=1.3 nM) with excellent oral pharmacokinetic profiles in rats, mice, monkeys and dogs. The in vivo study in wap-ras TG mouse models showed dose dependent tumor growth inhibition and regression.

Identification of PTC725, an orally bioavailable small molecule that selectively targets the hepatitis C Virus NS4B protein.

While new direct-acting antiviral agents for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have been approved, there is a continued need for novel antiviral agents that act on new targets and can be used in combination with current therapies to enhance efficacy and to restrict the emergence of drug-resistant viral variants. To this end, we have identified a novel class of small molecules, exemplified by PTC725, that target the nonstructural protein 4B (NS4B). PTC725 inhibited HCV 1b (Con1) replicons with a 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 1.7 nM and an EC90 of 9.6 nM and demonstrated a >1,000-fold selectivity window with respect to cytotoxicity. The compounds were fully active against HCV replicon mutants that are resistant to inhibitors of NS3 protease and NS5B polymerase. Replicons selected for resistance to PTC725 harbored amino acid substitutions F98L/C and V105M in NS4B. Anti-replicon activity of PTC725 was additive to synergistic in combination with alpha interferon or with inhibitors of HCV protease and polymerase. Immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that neither the HCV inhibitors nor the F98C substitution altered the subcellular localization of NS4B or NS5A in replicon cells. Oral dosing of PTC725 showed a favorable pharmacokinetic profile with high liver and plasma exposure in mice and rats. Modeling of dosing regimens in humans indicates that a once-per-day or twice-per-day oral dosing regimen is feasible. Overall, the preclinical data support the development of PTC725 for use in the treatment of chronic HCV infection.

Structure activity relationship studies of tricyclic bispyran sulfone γ-secretase inhibitors.

An investigation is detailed of the structure activity relationships (SAR) of two sulfone side chains of compound (-)-1a (SCH 900229), a potent, PS1-selective γ-secretase inhibitor and clinical candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, 4-CF(3) and 4-Br substituted arylsulfone analogs, (-)-1b and (-)-1c, are equipotent to compound (-)-1a. On the right hand side chain, linker size and terminal substituents of the pendant sulfone group are also investigated.

Discovery of novel HCV inhibitors: synthesis and biological activity of 6-(indol-2-yl)pyridine-3-sulfonamides targeting hepatitis C virus NS4B.

A novel series of 6-(indol-2-yl)pyridine-3-sulfonamides was prepared and evaluated for their ability to inhibit HCV RNA replication in the HCV replicon cell culture assay. Preliminary optimization of this series furnished compounds with low nanomolar potency against the HCV genotype 1b replicon. Among these, compound 8c has identified as a potent HCV replicon inhibitor (EC50=4 nM) with a selectivity index with respect to cellular GAPDH of more than 2500. Further, compound 8c had a good pharmacokinetic profile in rats with an IV half-life of 6h and oral bioavailability (F) of 62%. Selection of HCV replicon resistance identified an amino acid substitution in HCV NS4B that confers resistance to these compounds. These compounds hold promise as a new chemotype with anti-HCV activity mediated through an underexploited viral target.

Pharmacological characterization of a novel α2C-adrenoceptor agonist N-[3,4-dihydro-4-(1H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)-2H-1, 4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-N-ethyl-N'-methylurea (compound A).

We define the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic profiles of a novel α(2C)-adrenoceptor agonist, compound A [N-[3,4-dihydro-4-(1H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-N-ethyl-N'-methylurea]. This compound has high affinity (K(i)) for the human α(2C)-adrenoceptor (K(i) = 12 nM), and 190- to 260-fold selectivity over the α(2A)- and α(2B)-adrenoceptor subtypes. In cell-based functional assays, compound A produced good agonist (EC(50) = 166 nM) and efficacy (E(max) = 64%) responses at the α(2C)-adrenoceptor, much lower potency and efficacy at the α(2A)-adrenoceptor (EC(50) = 1525 nM; E(max) = 8%) and α(2B)-adrenoceptor (EC(50) = 5814 nM; E(max) = 21%) subtypes, and low or no affinity and functional activity at the α(1A)-, α(1B)-, and α(1D)-adrenoceptor subtypes. In the human saphenous vein postjunctional α(2C)-adrenoceptor bioassay, compound A functions as a potent agonist (pD(2) = 6.3). In a real-time contraction bioassay of pig nasal mucosa, compound A preferentially constricted the veins (EC(50) = 108 nM), and the magnitude of arteriolar contraction reached only 50% of the maximum venular responses. Compound A exhibited no effect on locomotor activity, sedation, and body temperature in mice (up to 100 mg/kg) and did not cause hypertension and mydriasis (30 mg/kg) in conscious rats. Compound A is orally bioavailable (24%) with good plasma exposure. This compound is a substrate for the efflux P-glycoprotein transporter, resulting in very low central nervous system (CNS) penetration. In summary, compound A is a highly selective, orally active, and non-CNS-penetrating α(2C)-adrenoceptor agonist with desirable in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties suitable for the treatment of nasal congestion.

Substituted imidazole of 5-fluoro-2-[4-[(2-phenyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl]-1-piperazinyl]pyrimidine Inactivates cytochrome P450 2D6 by protein adduction.

5-Fluoro-2-[4-[(2-phenyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl]-1-piperazinyl]pyrimidine (SCH 66712) is a potent mechanism-based inactivator of human cytochrome P450 2D6 that displays type I binding spectra with a K(s) of 0.39 ± 0.10 µM. The partition ratio is ~3, indicating potent inactivation that addition of exogenous nucleophiles does not prevent. Within 15 min of incubation with SCH 66712 and NADPH, ∼90% of CYP2D6 activity is lost with only ~20% loss in ability to bind CO and ~25% loss of native heme over the same time. The stoichiometry of binding to the protein was 1.2:1. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with Western blotting and autoradiography analyses of CYP2D6 after incubations with radiolabeled SCH 66712 further support the presence of a protein adduct. Metabolites of SCH 66712 detected by mass spectrometry indicate that the phenyl group on the imidazole ring of SCH 66712 is one site of oxidation by CYP2D6 and could lead to methylene quinone formation. Three other metabolites were also observed. For understanding the metabolic pathway that leads to CYP2D6 inactivation, metabolism studies with CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 were performed because neither of these enzymes is significantly inhibited by SCH 66712. The metabolites formed by CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 are the same as those seen with CYP2D6, although in different abundance. Modeling studies with CYP2D6 revealed potential roles of various active site residues in the oxidation of SCH 66712 and inactivation of CYP2D6 and showed that the phenyl group of SCH 66712 is positioned at 2.2 Å from the heme iron.

Protein binding-dependent decreases in hERG channel blocker potency assessed by whole-cell voltage clamp in serum.

In vitro hERG blocking potency is measured in drug discovery as part of an integrated cardiovascular risk assessment. Typically, the concentrations producing 50% inhibition are measured in protein-free saline solutions and compared with calculated free therapeutic in vivo Cmax values to estimate a hERG safety multiple. The free/unbound fraction is believed responsible for activity. We tested the validity of this approach with 12 compounds by determining potencies in voltage clamp studies conducted in the absence and presence of 100% dialyzed fetal bovine serum (FBS). Bath drug concentrations in saline solutions were measured to account for loss of compounds due to solubility, stability, and/or adsorption. Protein binding in dialyzed FBS was measured to enable predictions of serum IC50s based on the unbound fraction and the saline IC50. For 11 of 12 compounds, the measured potency in the presence of dialyzed FBS was within 2-fold of the predicted potency. The predicted IC50 in dialyzed FBS for one highly bound compound, amiodarone, was 9-fold higher than the measured serum IC50. These data suggest that for highly bound compounds, direct measurement of IC50s in the presence of 100% serum may provide a more accurate estimate of in vivo potencies than the approach based on calculated serum shifts.

Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationship studies of N-arylsulfonyl morpholines as γ-secretase inhibitors.

Design and synthesis of cis-2,6-disubstituted N-arylsulfonyl morpholines as novel γ-secretase inhibitors for the potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is reported. Several different small alkyl groups are installed on the left-hand side to lower the CYP3A4 liability while maintaining excellent in vitro potency.

Discovery of a series of potent, orally active α,α-disubstituted piperidine NK(1) antagonists.

Modification of prototype NK(1) antagonist 2 resulted in the synthesis of a series of simple amides 6 and retroamides 9. These compounds were shown to be potent and orally active NK(1) antagonists.

The conduct of in vitro studies to address time-dependent inhibition of drug-metabolizing enzymes: a perspective of the pharmaceutical research and manufacturers of America.

Time-dependent inhibition (TDI) of cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes caused by new molecular entities (NMEs) is of concern because such compounds can be responsible for clinically relevant drug-drug interactions (DDI). Although the biochemistry underlying mechanism-based inactivation (MBI) of P450 enzymes has been generally understood for several years, significant advances have been made only in the past few years regarding how in vitro time-dependent inhibition data can be used to understand and predict clinical DDI. In this article, a team of scientists from 16 pharmaceutical research organizations that are member companies of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America offer a discussion of the phenomenon of TDI with emphasis on the laboratory methods used in its measurement. Results of an anonymous survey regarding pharmaceutical industry practices and strategies around TDI are reported. Specific topics that still possess a high degree of uncertainty are raised, such as parameter estimates needed to make predictions of DDI magnitude from in vitro inactivation parameters. A description of follow-up mechanistic experiments that can be done to characterize TDI are described. A consensus recommendation regarding common practices to address TDI is included, the salient points of which include the use of a tiered approach wherein abbreviated assays are first used to determine whether NMEs demonstrate TDI or not, followed by more thorough inactivation studies for those that do to define the parameters needed for prediction of DDI.