Discovery of LY3104607: A Potent and Selective G Protein-Coupled Receptor 40 (GPR40) Agonist with Optimized Pharmacokinetic Properties to Support Once Daily Oral Treatment in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

As a part of our program to identify potent GPR40 agonists capable of being dosed orally once daily in humans, we incorporated fused heterocycles into our recently disclosed spiropiperidine and tetrahydroquinoline acid derivatives 1, 2, and 3 with the intention of lowering clearance and improving the maximum absorbable dose (Dabs). Hypothesis-driven structural modifications focused on moving away from the zwitterion-like structure. and mitigating the N-dealkylation and O-dealkylation issues led to triazolopyridine acid derivatives with unique pharmacology and superior pharmacokinetic properties.

Discovery and characterization of [(cyclopentyl)ethyl]benzoic acid inhibitors of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1.

We describe a novel class of acidic mPGES-1 inhibitors with nanomolar enzymatic and human whole blood (HWB) potency. Rational design in conjunction with structure-based design led initially to the identification of anthranilic acid 5, an mPGES-1 inhibitor with micromolar HWB potency. Structural modifications of 5 improved HWB potency by over 1000×, reduced CYP2C9 single point inhibition, and improved rat clearance, which led to the selection of [(cyclopentyl)ethyl]benzoic acid compound 16 for clinical studies.

Characterization of 3,3-dimethyl substituted N-aryl piperidines as potent microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 inhibitors.

Here we report on novel, potent 3,3-dimethyl substituted N-aryl piperidine inhibitors of microsomal prostaglandin E synthases-1(mPGES-1). Example 14 potently inhibited PGE2 synthesis in an ex vivo human whole blood (HWB) assay with an IC50 of 7nM. In addition, 14 had no activity in human COX-1 or COX-2 assays at 30μM, and failed to inhibit human mPGES-2 at 62.

Identification and biological activity of 6-alkyl-substituted 3-methyl-pyridine-2-carbonyl amino dimethyl-benzoic acid EP4 antagonists.

Continued SAR optimization of a series of 3-methylpyridine-2-carbonyl amino-2,4-dimethyl-benzoic acid led to the selection of compound 4f for clinical studies. Compound 4f showed an IC50 of 123nM for inhibition of PGE2-induced TNFα reduction in an ex vivo LPS-stimulated human whole blood assay (showing >10-fold increase over clinical compound CJ-023,423). Pharmacokinetic profile, selectivity and in vivo efficacy comparing 4f to NSAID diclofenac in the monoiodoacetic acid (MIA) pain model and adjuvant induced arthritis (AIA) inflammatory model are included.

Discovery of potent aryl-substituted 3-[(3-methylpyridine-2-carbonyl) amino]-2,4-dimethyl-benzoic acid EP4 antagonists with improved pharmacokinetic profile.

Two new series of EP4 antagonists containing a 3-methylaryl-2-carbonyl core have been identified. One series has a 3-substituted-phenyl core, while the other one incorporates a 3-substituted pyridine. Both series led to compounds with potent activity in functional and human whole blood (hWB) assays.

Discovery of substituted-2,4-dimethyl-(naphthalene-4-carbonyl)amino-benzoic acid as potent and selective EP4 antagonists.

A novel series of EP4 antagonists, based on a quinoline scaffold, has been discovered. Medicinal chemistry efforts to optimize the potency of the initial hit are described. A highly potent compound in a clinically relevant human whole blood assay was identified.

Discovery and characterization of a potent and selective EP4 receptor antagonist.

EP4 is a prostaglandin E2 receptor that is a target for potential anti-nociceptive therapy. Described herein is a class of amphoteric EP4 antagonists which reverses PGE2-induced suppression of TNFα production in human whole blood. From this class, a potent and highly bioavailable compound (6) has been selected for potential clinical studies.

Design and synthesis of novel and potent amide linked PPARgamma/delta dual agonists.

A series of potent amide linked PPARgamma/delta dual agonists (1a) has been discovered through rational design. In the ZDF rat model of type 2 diabetes, compound (R)-3-[4-(3-{1-[(5-chloro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-indole-2-carbonyl)-amino]-ethyl}-5-fluoro-phenoxy)-2-ethyl-phenyl]-propionic acid (42) from this series has demonstrated glucose lowering efficacy comparable to the marketed PPARgamma agonist rosiglitazone with less weight gain.

Synthesis and evaluation of aminomethyl dihydrocinnamates as a new class of PPAR ligands.

PPAR ligands with varied subtype selectivity have been synthesized using an achiral aminomethyl dihydrocinnamate template. Several compounds in this series have demonstrated potent plasma glucose and triglyceride lowering capability in rodent models of type 2 diabetes.

Tetrahydroisoquinoline PPARgamma agonists: design of novel, highly selective non-TZD antihyperglycemic agents.

Novel tetrahydroisoquinolines have been developed as potent PPAR ligands. Evaluation of these compounds in PPARgamma responsive models of type 2 diabetes is described.

Inhibition of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor by cysteine derivatives.

Thrombin Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor (TAFI) is a basic carboxypeptidase that functions as a fibrinolysis inhibitor through the cleavage of C-terminal lysine on partially degraded fibrin. Modulation of TAFI activity provides a potential therapy for thrombosis complications by potentiating fibrinolysis. In our study, we identified three novel TAFI inhibitors containing a cysteine backbone.

2-Alkoxydihydrocinnamates as PPAR agonists. Activity modulation by the incorporation of phenoxy substituents.

Herein we describe a series of potent and selective PPARgamma agonists with moderate PPARalpha affinity and little to no affinity for other nuclear receptors. In vivo studies in a NIDDM animal model (ZDF rat) showed that these compounds are efficacious at low doses in glucose normalization and plasma triglyceride reduction. Compound 1b (LY519818) was selected from our SAR studies to be advanced to clinical evaluation for the treatment of type II diabetes.