Discovery of N-arylpyrroles as agonists of GPR120 for the treatment of type II diabetes.

The discovery of a novel series of N-arylpyrroles as agonists of GPR120 (FFAR4) is discussed. One lead compound is a potent GPR120 agonist, has good selectivity for related receptor GPR40 (FFAR1), has acceptable PK properties, and is active in 2 models of Type 2 Diabetes in mice.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of benzocyclobutane-C-glycosides as potent and orally active SGLT1/SGLT2 dual inhibitors.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of benzocyclobutane-C-glycosides as potent and orally active SGLT1/SGLT2 dual inhibitors are described. Compound 19 showed high inhibitory potency at SGLT1 (IC50 = 45 nM), and excellent potency at SGLT2 (IC50 = 1 nM). It also displayed excellent PK profiles in mice, rats, dogs and monkeys (F = 78-107%). In SD rats, compound 19 treatments significantly reduced blood glucose levels in a dose-dependent manner. In ZDF rats, compound 19 displayed anti-hyperglycemic effect up to 24 h. Therefore, compound 19 may serve as valuable pharmacological tool, and potential use as a treatment for metabolic syndrome.

Evaluation of anti-diabetic effect and gall bladder function with 2-thio-5-thiomethyl substituted imidazoles as TGR5 receptor agonists.

A novel series of 2-thio-5-thiomethyl substituted imidazoles was discovered to be potent TGR5 agonists that possessed glucose-lowering effects while inhibiting gall bladder emptying in mice.

Design, synthesis and SAR of a novel series of heterocyclic phenylpropanoic acids as GPR120 agonists.

A novel series of 5-membered heterocycle-containing phenylpropanoic acid derivatives was discovered as potent GPR120 agonists with low clearance, high oral bioavailability and in vivo antidiabetic activity in rodents.

Synthesis of ß-Substituted Cyclic Enones via Phosphonium Salt-Activated, Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Cyclic 1,3-Diones.

Phosphonium salt-activated, Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura and Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions of cyclic 1,3-diones in the synthesis of ß-substituted cyclic enones are described. These transformations exhibit good isolated yield and high generality with respect to both substrates and coupling partners. Extension of the substrate scope to cyclic 1,3-dione equivalents, such as 2-cyanocyclohexanone (4), is also briefly examined.

4-Bicyclic heteroaryl-piperidine derivatives as potent, orally bioavailable stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) inhibitors: part 2. Pyridazine-based analogs.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of pyridazine-based, 4-bicyclic heteroaryl-piperidine derivatives as potent stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) inhibitors are described. In a chronic study of selected analog (3e) in Zucker fa/fa (ZF) rat, dose-dependent decrease of body weight gain and plasma fatty acid desaturation index (DI) in both C16 and C18 are also demonstrated. The results indicate that the plasma fatty acid DI may serve as an indicator for direct target engagement and biomarker for SCD1 inhibition.

7-(4-Alkylidenylpiperidinyl)-quinolone bacterial topoisomerase inhibitors.

Novel antibacterial fluoroquinolone agents bearing a 4-alkylidenylpiperidine 7-position substituent are active against quinolone-susceptible and quinolone-resistant gram-positive bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae and MRSA. Analogs 22b, 23c, and 24 demonstrated superior in vitro and in vivo efficacy to ciprofloxacin against these cocci.

4-Bicyclic heteroaryl-piperidine derivatives as potent, orally bioavailable Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) inhibitors. Part 1: urea-based analogs.

A new series of urea-based, 4-bicyclic heteroaryl-piperidine derivatives as potent SCD1 inhibitors is described. The structure-activity relationships focused on bicyclic heteroarenes and aminothiazole-urea portions are discussed. A trend of dose-dependent decrease in body weight gain in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice is also demonstrated.

Discovery of novel Cobactin-T based matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors via a ring closing metathesis strategy.

The discovery of potent N-hydroxyl caprolactam matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors (6) based on the natural product Cobactin-T (2) is described. The synthetic method, which utilizes the ring closing metathesis reaction, is compatible to provide complementary (R) and (S) enantiomers. These compounds tested against MMP-2 and 9, show that the R stereochemistry (i.e., 16), which is opposite for that found in the natural product Cobactin-T is >1000-fold more active with IC(50) values of 0.2-0.6nM against both enzymes. The variation in the incorporation of the sulfonamide enzyme recognition element (Ar(2)XAr(1)SO(2)N(R(1)), 6), along with alterations in the RCM/double bond chemistry (R(2)) provided a series of sub nanomolar MMP inhibitors. For example, compounds 16 and 34 were found to be the most potent with IC(50) values against MMP-2 and MMP-9 found to be between 0.2 and 0.6nM with 34 being the most potent compound discovered (MMP-2 IC(50)=0.39nM and MMP-9 IC(50)=0.22nM). Compounds 16 and 34 showed acceptable drug-like properties in vivo with compound 34 showing oral bioavailability.

Synthesis and discovery of 2,3-dihydro-3,8-diphenylbenzo[1,4]oxazines as a novel class of potent cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors.

2,3-Dihydro-3,8-diphenylbenzo[1,4]oxazines were identified as a new class of potent cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors. The most potent compound 6a (IC50=26 nM) possessed a favorable pharmacokinetic profile with good oral bioavailability in rat (F=53%) and long human liver microsome stability (t(1/2)=62 min). It increased HDL-C in human CETP transgenic mice and high-fat fed hamsters. The structure and activity relationship of this series will be described in this Letter.

Discovery of PEGylated 6-Benzhydryl-4-amino-quinazolines as Peripherally Restricted CB1R Inverse Agonists.

The 6-benzhydryl-4-amino-quinolin-2-ones are peripherally restricted CB1 receptor inverse agonists (CB1RIAs) that have been reported to attenuate obesity and improve insulin sensitivity in the diet-induced obese (DIO) mouse model. However, chronic dosing of select compounds from the series showed time-dependent brain accumulation despite a low brain/plasma exposure ratio. To address this issue, a PEGylation approach was employed to identify a novel series of homodimeric 6-benzhydryl-4-amino-quinazoline-PEG conjugates with an extended half-life. The lead compound 18 engaged peripheral CB1Rs in a gastrointestinal (GI) tract motility study and demonstrated a high level of peripheral restriction in a chronic DIO mouse pharmacokinetic study.

Synthetic staurosporines via a ring closing metathesis strategy as potent JAK3 inhibitors and modulators of allergic responses.

The synthesis and biological evaluation of JAK3 based staurosporine compounds is described. The compounds are constructed completely de novo, and a ring closing metathesis strategy is used to assemble the sugar mimetic portion. These analogs show potent JAK3 activity against isolated enzyme and in T-cells. One analog (32) showed unique biological effects during in vitro and in vivo tests including inhibition of STAT5 phosphorylation, blockade of mast cell responses, and reduction of JAK3 based effects in mice models of allergic disease.

Discovery and SAR of para-alkylthiophenoxyacetic acids as potent and selective PPARdelta agonists.

Synthesis and SAR of para-alkylthiophenoxyacetic acids is described. Achiral compounds 30, 31 and 32 were identified as potent and selective PPARdelta agonists.

Synthesis and evaluation of 2,7-diamino-thiazolo[4,5-d] pyrimidine analogues as anti-tumor epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

2,7-Diamino-thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine analogues were synthesized as novel epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Representative compounds showed potent and selective EGFR inhibitory activities and inhibited in vitro cellular proliferation in EGFR-overexpressing human tumor cells. The synthesis and preliminary biological, physical, and pharmacokinetic evaluation of these thiazolopyrimidine compounds are reported.

Pd-catalyzed direct arylation of tautomerizable heterocycles with aryl boronic acids via C-OH bond activation using phosphonium salts.

The first direct arylation via C-OH bond activation of tautomerizable heterocycles has been achieved using phosphonium salts, on the basis of a combination of the phosphonium coupling and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling conditions. Optimal reaction condition is obtained through screening of phosphonium salts, Pd catalysts, and bases. The direct arylation via C-OH bond activation tolerates a variety of tautomerizable heterocycles and aryl boronic acids. The mechanism of the Pd-catalyzed phosphonium coupling is proposed to proceed via a domino seven-step process including the unprecedented heterocycle-Pd(II)-phosphonium species. Application of the Pd-catalyzed direct arylation via C-OH bond activation using PyBroP leads to the most efficient synthesis of the biologically important 6-arylpurine ribonucleoside in a single step from unactivated and unprotected inosine.

beta-N-Biaryl ether sulfonamide hydroxamates as potent gelatinase inhibitors: part 1. Design, synthesis, and lead identification.

A new series of beta-N-biaryl ether sulfonamide hydroxamates as novel gelatinase inhibitors is described. These compounds exhibit good potency for MMP-2 and MMP-9 without inhibiting MMP-1. The structure-activity relationships (SAR) reveal the biaryl ether type P1' moiety together with methanesulfonamide is the optimal combination that provides inhibitory activity of MMP-9 in the single-digit nanomolar range.

beta-N-Biaryl ether sulfonamide hydroxamates as potent gelatinase inhibitors: part 2. Optimization of alpha-amino substituents.

The introduction and the optimization of an alpha-amino substituent based on a series of alpha-hydroxy-beta-N-biaryl ether sulfonamide hydroxamates is described. The modification leads to a new series of MMP-2/MMP-9 inhibitors with enhanced inhibitory activities and improved ADME properties. An efficacy study on reducing the ischemia-induced brain edema in the rat transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAo) model is also demonstrated.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of thiadiazole-derivatives as potent and orally active peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha/delta dual agonists.

Replacement of the methyl-thiazole moiety of GW501516 (a PPARdelta selective agonist) with [1,2,4]thiadiazole gave compound 21 which unexpectedly displayed submicromolar potency as a partial agonist at PPARalpha in addition to the high potency at PPARdelta. A structure-activity relationships study of 21 resulted in the identification of 40 as a potent and selective PPARalpha/delta dual agonist. Compound 40 and its close analogs represent a new series of PPARalpha/delta dual agonists. The high potency, high selectivity, significant gene induction, excellent PK profiles, low P450 inhibition or induction, and good in vivo efficacy in four animal models support 40 being selected as a pre-clinical study candidate, and may render 40 as a valuable pharmacological tool in elucidating the complex roles of PPARalpha/delta dual agonists, and the potential usage for the treatment of metabolic syndrome.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-aryl-3-(4-phenoxy)-propionic acid as a novel series of G protein-coupled receptor 40 agonists.

High-throughput screening of a subset of the J&J compound library containing the carboxylic acid functional group uncovered a bromophenyl derivative as a moderate potent GPR40 agonist. Chemical elaboration of this bromophenyl led to the discovery of a novel series of GPR40 agonists with submicromolar potency. Among them, 22 and 24 behaved as full agonists when compared to the endogenous GPR40 ligand linolenic acid in a functional Ca+2 flux assay in HEK cells expressing GPR40 receptor. Several GPR40 agonists have also demonstrated the ability to induce glucose-mediated insulin secretion in the mouse MIN6 pancreatic beta-cell line. Our data supports the hypothesis that GPR40 may play an important role in fatty acid-mediated glucose-dependent insulin secretion. Compound 22 exhibited good pharmacokinetic profile in rat and may serve as a good candidate for in vivo study and may help to determine if GPR40 agonists would be beneficial in the treatment of type II diabetes.